The Formula
Sand is ordered by the cubic yard for bulk delivery, or by the bag for smaller jobs. Either way, the math is the same: calculate volume, then convert to the unit your supplier uses.
Example: A 10 × 12 ft patio base at 1 inch of sand bedding:
How Much Does One Cubic Yard Cover?
Use this as a quick reference to sanity-check your order before calling the supplier.
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft |
What a Proper Sand Base Looks Like
For most patio and paver projects, sand sits between the compacted gravel base and the surface material. The diagram below shows the standard layering — sand is thinner than most people expect, and that's intentional.
How Deep Should Your Sand Be?
The right depth depends entirely on what you're building. Paver bedding uses far less sand than most people expect — deeper is not better there.
| Project | Sand Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paver / flagstone bedding | 1 inch (compacted) | Spread 1¼ inches loose — compacts down to 1 inch |
| Leveling / fill | 2–4 inches | Under pools, sheds, low spots in yard |
| Sandbox | 8–12 inches | Deeper gives softer, more playable surface |
| Play area (ground-level) | 6–9 inches | ASTM minimum for fall-zone safety |
| Lawn top-dressing | ¼–½ inch | Thin layer to level and improve drainage |
| Concrete mix ingredient | — | Mix ratio, not a depth — typically 3 parts sand to 1 part cement by volume |
Which Sand Type Do You Need?
Not all sand is interchangeable. Using the wrong type — particularly fine play sand as a paver bedding — is one of the most common and costly mistakes on patio projects.
| Type | Best for | Key trait |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete / coarse sand | Paver bedding, concrete mixes | Angular grains lock together — stays stable under weight |
| Mason sand | Mortar, stucco, paver joint filling | Finer and smoother than concrete sand; easier to work |
| Play sand | Sandboxes, children's play areas | Washed and rounded — safe to handle, but too soft for bedding |
| Polymeric sand | Filling paver joints after installation | Hardens when wet; resists weeds and insects in joints |
| Fill sand | Bulk fill, drainage, utility | Least refined; cheapest option for non-visible applications |
| All-purpose builder sand | General DIY, mixing, leveling | Mid-grade; works for most non-specialist applications |
Bags or Bulk?
A 50 lb bag of sand covers about 0.5 cu ft. That means you'd need roughly 54 bags to equal just 1 cubic yard. For anything larger than a small repair, bulk delivery almost always makes more sense — both on cost and time.
How Much Does Sand Weigh?
Sand weight matters if you're hauling in a trailer or renting a vehicle for pickup. Use these figures to stay within load limits.
| Sand condition | Weight per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Dry (stored) | ~2,700 lb (1.35 tons) |
| Damp (bulk-delivered) | ~3,000 lb (1.50 tons) |
| Wet / saturated | ~3,240 lb (1.62 tons) |
Most bulk deliveries arrive damp. If you're calculating truckload capacity, use the 1.50 ton figure — it's the most realistic for what lands in your driveway.
The Compaction Factor — Don't Skip This
This is where most paver jobs go wrong. Sand compresses 15–25% under a plate compactor. A bedding layer specified at 1 inch compacted requires you to spread 1.2–1.25 inches of loose sand first. If you spread exactly 1 inch and then compact, you'll end up with roughly ¾ inch — and your pavers will sit low and settle unevenly.
For paver bedding specifically: calculate to the specified compacted depth, then order 20–25% more to account for the compaction loss. The 10% general waste factor does not cover this — add it on top.
Pre-Order Checklist
- Measure twice. Length × width in feet, depth in inches. Double-check at least one dimension on-site before ordering.
- Choose the right sand type. Coarse concrete sand or all-purpose builder sand for paver bedding. Play sand is for sandboxes only.
- Add 10% for waste. Spillage, uneven subgrade, and depth variations eat into your volume faster than expected.
- Add 20% if compacting. Paver bedding compresses significantly. Order extra and screed it down — don't try to stretch a short order.
- Check delivery minimums. Most suppliers have a 1 cubic yard minimum for bulk delivery. For smaller jobs, bags may be the only option.
- Confirm load weight before hauling. Damp sand runs around 3,000 lb per yard. Know your trailer or truck bed rating before picking up bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for a 10×10 patio?
At the standard 1-inch bedding depth, a 10 × 10 ft patio needs about 0.31 yd³ of sand. Add 20% for compaction and 10% for waste and order around 0.40 yd³. Most suppliers have a 1 yd³ minimum for bulk delivery, so bags may be more practical at this scale — you'd need about 17 bags of 50 lb sand.
What's the difference between bedding sand and jointing sand?
Bedding sand (coarse concrete sand) goes under the pavers and is compacted before laying. Jointing sand — typically polymeric sand — fills the narrow gaps between pavers after they're set. They're different materials, ordered at different quantities, and you need both for a complete paver installation. Bedding sand is calculated by area and depth; jointing sand is calculated by joint width and paver thickness.
Can I use play sand for paver bedding?
No. Play sand has fine, rounded grains that don't interlock under load. It stays loose, which means pavers shift and sink over time. Use coarse, angular concrete sand or all-purpose builder sand for any structural bedding application. Play sand is safe and great for sandboxes — but it's not a structural material.
Should I wet sand before screeding?
Slightly damp sand screeds more evenly and is easier to work with than bone-dry sand. However, avoid saturating it — overly wet sand becomes heavy, compresses unpredictably, and can wash away before you get the pavers down. If your sand arrives damp from delivery, that's usually the right consistency to use it directly.
How many bags of sand do I need per square foot?
At 1 inch depth, one 50 lb bag covers about 6 sq ft. At 2 inches, one bag covers about 3 sq ft. For anything over 50 sq ft at even a shallow depth, bulk delivery will be cheaper and far less work than carrying bags.
Does sand expire or go bad if stored?
Sand itself doesn't expire — it's a mineral, not an organic material. However, leftover sand stored in bags or uncovered piles picks up moisture and debris over time. Damp sand is heavier and harder to screed cleanly. If storing between project phases, keep it covered with a tarp. Play sand stored outdoors can also become a home for insects or mold, so check it before putting it in a sandbox.