Paver bedding sand is about 1 inch thick, so a 12 by 12 foot patio needs only about 0.45 cubic yards of sand, plus the stone base below.
Layers under pavers
A paver patio sits on compacted base stone, then a thin leveling layer of bedding sand, then the pavers. Base stone is usually 4 inches for patios and 6 to 8 inches for driveways. Bedding sand is about 1 inch.
The calculation
For a 12 by 12 foot patio, the area is 144 square feet. One inch of sand is 0.0833 feet, so 144 × 0.0833 is 12 cubic feet, or 0.44 cubic yards. Joint sand for filling the gaps is extra, and a few 50 pound bags usually cover it.
Use the right sand
Use coarse, washed concrete sand or the sand recommended by your paver supplier. Do not use play sand, which is too fine and holds water.
Tips
Screed the sand with a pipe or two guide rails and do not step on it before laying pavers. Keep the layer even, since thick spots settle.
Frequently asked questions
How thick should paver sand be?
About 1 inch, no more than 1.5 inches.
Do I need sand under pavers?
Yes. Bedding sand sits on top of the compacted base stone.
How much joint sand do I need?
Roughly 1 bag of 50 pounds per 50 to 100 square feet.