Paver Sand Calculator — Jointing Sand for Pavers
Work out the volume and mass of jointing sand needed to fill the gaps in a paved area. Enter the overall dimensions, paver size, joint width and joint depth to get instant results in cubic metres, litres and kilograms.
m
m
Paver / joint measurement unit
Joint sand volume + 10% compaction allowance
- 1
Total paved area (m²)
10 × 5 = 50 - 2
Joint surface area (m²)
50 − 2,392 × 0.02 = 2.16Total area minus solid paver footprint. - 3
Joint volume (m³)
2.16 × 0.05 = 0.108 - 4
Sand needed (+10%)
0.108 × 1.10 = 0.1188
How does this calculator work?
Sand needed = (total area − paver area) × joint depth × 1.10. For a 10 m × 5 m area with 200 × 100 mm pavers, 3 mm joints, and 50 mm joint depth, expect roughly 15–20 litres of jointing sand (≈25–30 kg). Add 10% for compaction losses.
Formula
How this is calculated
Pavers are laid on a compacted base with deliberate gaps between them. These gaps — called joints — are filled with fine sand (standard kiln-dried or polymeric) to lock the pavers in place, prevent shifting and resist weed growth. The sand volume you need equals the total joint surface area (total paved area minus the solid paver surfaces) multiplied by the joint depth.
This calculator first tiles the paved area with pavers plus one joint-width border on each paver, counts the total number of pavers needed (rounded up), then subtracts all solid paver area from the total area to get the joint surface area. Joint depth is the depth to which sand is filled — typically 40–60 mm for pedestrian areas. A 10% overage is added for compaction losses, because sand settles when vibrated or wetted. Mass is estimated at the standard dry-sand bulk density of 1 600 kg/m³.
The result is an estimate. Actual quantities depend on how tightly pavers are packed, whether joints are fully filled before compaction, sand moisture content, and the specific product used. Always buy slightly more than the estimate and keep offcuts for future repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Kiln-dried sharp sand (coarse) is standard for regular joints. Polymeric sand contains a binder that hardens when wetted, resisting erosion and weeds — preferred for finer joints and driveways. Both come in 20–25 kg bags.
Joints are usually filled 40–60 mm deep for pedestrian paving and up to 80 mm for driveways. Leave 5–10 mm below the paver surface unfilled so the sand can accept vibration compaction without spilling.
When sand is vibrated into joints during compaction it settles and the volume decreases. A 10% overage covers this loss. For polymeric sand, follow the manufacturer's instructions — quantities can differ.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Paver Sand Calculator — Jointing Sand for Pavers [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/paver-sand-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Paver Sand Calculator — Jointing Sand for Pavers." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/paver-sand-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Paver Sand Calculator — Jointing Sand for Pavers," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/paver-sand-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_paver_sand_calculator, title = {Paver Sand Calculator — Jointing Sand for Pavers}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/paver-sand-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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