Sand for a Paver Base
For a paver patio or walkway, sand is the 1-inch setting bed screeded over a compacted gravel base — not the structural base itself. Enter your paver area below for the tons, bag count, and cost of bedding sand.
Source: Home Depot / Lowe's bag listings + regional bulk masonry/paver-sand averages
Estimate sand for your paver base
Prefilled for a 12 × 12 ft paver base at 1" — adjust to your size.
Material only, $25–$55 per ton. Delivery and labor not included. Estimates only — not engineering advice.
Tips for paver bases
- Sand is the bedding layer only — build a 4–6 inch compacted gravel base underneath first.
- Screed the sand to a level 1 inch; don't use it to fill low spots in the base.
- Use polymeric sand in the joints after laying pavers to lock them and resist weeds.
Sand cost breakdown
- Bulk sand (per ton)
- $25–$55 per ton; masonry and washed paver sand cost more than plain fill sand.
- Bagged sand (50 lb)
- $4–$8 per bag. A ton is about 40 bags — bulk is far cheaper past a small job.
- Delivery
- $50–$120 per load for bulk, often with a minimum order.
- Polymeric sand (for joints)
- $20–$40 per bag — used to lock paver joints, separate from bedding sand.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand for a 12x12 paver patio?
A 12 ft × 12 ft paver patio needs about 0.65 tons of bedding sand (roughly 26 bags of 50 lb) for a 1-inch setting layer over a compacted gravel base.
How much sand do I need for a paver base?
Paver bedding sand is a 1-inch layer over a compacted gravel base. A 12 ft × 12 ft patio needs about 0.65 tons of sand, or roughly 26 bags of 50 lb, at 1 inch deep.
How many bags of sand are in a ton?
About 40 bags of 50 lb sand make one ton (2,000 ÷ 50). Bulk by the ton is cheaper for anything larger than a small repair.
How much does sand cost per ton?
Bulk sand runs about $25–$55 per ton depending on type — washed paver and masonry sand cost more than plain fill sand — plus $50–$120 for delivery.
How thick should paver bedding sand be?
About 1 inch, screeded level over a compacted gravel base. A thicker sand layer will shift and let pavers sink or rut.