Paver Sand Calculator

To calculate bedding sand: (1) Find your project surface area in square feet. (2) Multiply area by the screeded bedding depth in feet (depth in inches divided by 12) to calculate in-place cubic feet. For a nominal 1.0-inch screed depth, multiply area by 0.0833. (3) Divide cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards. (4) Add an optional user-selected ordering allowance (such as 5% to 10%) for screed rail tracks, base grade irregularities, and loose handling. (5) When planning delivery weight, multiply loose cubic yards by your supplier's bulk density (typical reference baseline: 1.35 tons/cu yd) to estimate tonnage.

Current industry standards from CMHA PAV-TEC-002-22 specify that conventional bedding sand should be spread and screeded to an uncompacted nominal 1.0-inch (25 mm) thickness. CMHA guidance explains that consolidation occurs when pavers are compacted, but the exact amount can vary with local sand and moisture conditions. Bedding sand should not exceed 1.5 inches in thickness or be spread thinner than project specifications, as improper thickness can affect structural performance. Follow your applicable project engineering specification for non-standard depths.

You must use clean, coarse, washed concrete sand conforming to ASTM C33 (or CSA A23.1 in Canada), commonly sold as concrete sand or torpedo sand. Its sharp, angular grains interlock and allow water drainage without washing out. CMHA guidelines specifically warn AGAINST using fine masonry mortar sand, stone dust, or limestone screenings as bedding material, because fine particles retain excess water, freeze-thaw spall, and wash away under saturation.

Bedding sand is the loose 1-inch coarse sand setting bed screeded on top of the compacted aggregate base before pavers are placed. Polymeric sand is a fine aggregate mixed with chemical polymers designed exclusively for sweeping into the upper joints between pavers after placement. Polymeric sand hardens with water to prevent weed growth and insect burrowing. Polymeric sand must never be used as a bedding layer.

No. In conventional interlocking concrete pavement construction, bedding sand is screeded in a loose condition over the compacted aggregate base. Pavers are set directly onto the loose screeded sand. Compaction occurs from the top of the pavers using a plate compactor only after all units and edge restraints are installed, which forces bedding sand up into the bottom portion of the joints and levels the surface.

No. The bedding sand layer is placed strictly across the actual footprint receiving pavers. Base extension (the 4- to 8-inch horizontal offset beyond paver borders) is required for the compacted aggregate base to support edge restraint spikes, not for the bedding sand. Spreading bedding sand past the edge restraint would compromise edge stability.

At the default planning bulk density of 1.35 tons per cubic yard (2,700 lbs/yd³), one cubic yard equals 54 bags of 50-lb concrete sand (or 45 bags of 60-lb sand). Actual bulk density varies with source material, gradation, and moisture content. For small projects or repairs, pre-packaged retail bags from home centers are convenient, while larger installations are significantly more economical when ordered in bulk delivery by the ton or cubic yard.

No. This calculator is specifically designed for conventional, non-permeable interlocking concrete pavement. Permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP) do not use sand; instead, they utilize an open-graded angular bedding aggregate course (typically 2 inches of ASTM No. 8 or No. 89 crushed stone) over an open-graded stone reservoir base.