How much sand you need depends as much on the type of sand as the size of the area, because different jobs call for very different depths. Bedding sand under pavers is laid about 1 inch deep, where one ton covers roughly 80 to 100 square feet. Play sand for a play area goes much deeper, often 6 to 12 inches. Joint sand that fills the gaps between pavers is a separate, much smaller amount. Pick the right sand for the job first, then size it.
Which sand for which job
At a high level, three jobs use three different products:
- Bedding sand (paver sand): a thin, level layer the pavers sit on, usually about 1 inch deep. It is what you screed smooth before setting stone.
- Play sand: the deep, soft fill in a sandbox or play area, often 6 to 12 inches so there is real cushion.
- Joint sand: a fine sand swept into the gaps between pavers after they are set. It locks the pavers together and uses far less material than the bedding layer.
For a fuller breakdown of grades and which suits which use, see our guide on types of sand for landscaping.
The simple method
Once you know the job and its depth, the math is the same as any bulk material:
- Measure the area. Length times width in feet gives square footage.
- Set the depth. About 1 inch for a paver bedding layer, 6 to 12 inches for a play area.
- Convert to tons. At 1 inch, one ton of bedding sand covers roughly 80 to 100 square feet. Deeper layers use proportionally more, so a 6 inch play-area layer uses about six times the sand of a 1 inch bedding layer over the same footprint.
Add about 5 to 10 percent for waste and to fill low spots in the base.
A worked example: paver patio base
Say you are setting a patio that measures 10 feet by 12 feet, with a 1 inch bedding sand layer over the compacted base.
- Area: 10 times 12 equals 120 square feet.
- Depth: 1 inch of bedding sand.
- Coverage: at about 90 square feet per ton, 120 divided by 90 is roughly 1.3 tons.
- Waste: add 5 to 10 percent, so plan on about 1.4 tons.
That covers the bedding layer only. The joint sand you sweep in afterward is a separate, much smaller quantity. The coverage calculator handles the bedding math for your exact dimensions so you do not have to estimate the per-ton coverage.
A note on the base under the sand
Bedding sand is not the structural base. Under it, a paver patio needs a compacted layer of base rock for stability and drainage; the sand is just the thin leveling course the pavers rest on. Plan the base separately so you order enough of each. Browse sand for bedding and play sand, and pavers for the surface.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need under pavers?
About a 1 inch bedding layer. At that depth, one ton of sand covers roughly 80 to 100 square feet. Divide your square footage by that range and add 5 to 10 percent for waste.
How deep should play sand be?
Much deeper than bedding sand, often 6 to 12 inches, so a play area has real cushion. A deeper layer uses several times the sand of a thin paver bedding layer over the same area.
What is the difference between bedding sand and joint sand?
Bedding sand is the leveling layer the pavers sit on, about 1 inch deep. Joint sand is a finer sand swept into the gaps between pavers after they are set, and it uses far less material.
How many square feet does a ton of sand cover?
At a 1 inch bedding depth, roughly 80 to 100 square feet per ton. Deeper layers cover proportionally less area, since you are using more sand per square foot.
Is bedding sand the same as the paver base?
No. The structural base is a compacted layer of base rock under the sand. Bedding sand is only the thin leveling course the pavers rest on, so order the base material separately.
Get the materials
Browse sand for bedding and play sand, pair it with pavers for the surface, and run your numbers through the coverage calculator before ordering. For bulk loads or delivery quotes, request a quote and we will sort out freight. We deliver nationwide from our California yards.