What this estimate includes
This estimate shows sand needed in cubic yards, cubic feet, tons, and bags based on your area, depth, and sand type.
Before you order
Moisture, compaction, product density, and installation method can change the final quantity. Use this as a planning estimate and confirm with your sand supplier before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for a 10x10 area?
At 2 inches deep, a 10x10 area needs about 1.85 cubic feet or 0.07 cubic yards of sand -- roughly 4 bags of 0.5 cu ft. At 1 inch deep for a paver setting bed, that drops to about 0.93 cubic feet or 2 bags. Use the calculator above for any dimensions.
How deep should sand be under pavers?
For a paver setting bed, 1 inch of coarse concrete sand is standard. Do not use more -- a thick sand bed compresses unevenly and causes pavers to shift and rock over time.
What type of sand should I use for pavers?
Use coarse concrete sand (also called sharp sand or washed concrete sand) for the setting bed under pavers. Do not use play sand or fine sand -- they compact unevenly and allow pavers to move. Polymeric sand fills the joints after installation.
How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. A 0.5 cu ft bag takes 54 bags per cubic yard. For anything over 1 yard, bulk delivery from a landscape supplier is almost always cheaper.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Sand weighs roughly 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on moisture content and sand type. Wet sand is significantly heavier. Dry concrete sand averages about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard.
Should I compact sand before installing pavers?
Do not compact the sand setting bed before placing pavers -- it should be loose and screeded flat. After the pavers are placed, compaction with a plate compactor sets them into the sand. Compact the base gravel layer below the sand, not the sand itself.
What is the difference between play sand and concrete sand?
Play sand is very fine, rounded, and washed -- safe for sandboxes but too fine for structural use. Concrete sand is coarser and angular, making it better for paver bases and mortar mixes. Fill sand is unscreened and inexpensive, used for leveling and filling, not for finished surfaces.