Polymeric sand coverage per bag depends mostly on how wide and deep your joints are, and each manufacturer publishes its own figures. A 50 lb bag of SEK PolySweep, for example, covers 50 to 75 sq ft at joints up to 1/4 in but only 15 to 25 sq ft at 1/2 to 3/4 in. The same bag, a very different result.
This page is a reference chart: the coverage each manufacturer publishes, product by product and joint width by joint width, taken from their technical data sheets and the manufacturer figures in our calculator. If you want a quick overview first, our earlier guide on how many bags of polymeric sand you need covers the basics. For an actual bag count, use the calculator.
Key takeaways
- Coverage figures are per 50 lb bag unless noted. Techniseal EZ Sand is 35 lb, NextGel Porcelain is 25 lb, and the resin products come in pails and tubs.
- Coverage drops sharply as joints get wider, and manufacturers measure against different reference pavers.
- For a bag count based on your own joints and pavers, use the polymeric sand calculator. It adds a 10 percent waste allowance.
Polymeric sand coverage per bag: the chart
All figures are in square feet per bag and come from each product's data sheet. Where a manufacturer does not define "narrow" and "wide" numerically, we show its wording.
| Product (bag size) | Joint width | Coverage per bag |
|---|---|---|
| SEK PolySweep (50 lb) | Up to 1/4 in | 50 to 75 sq ft |
| SEK PolySweep (50 lb) | 1/4 to 1/2 in | 25 to 50 sq ft |
| SEK PolySweep (50 lb) | 1/2 to 3/4 in | 15 to 25 sq ft |
| SEK PolySweep X-Treme (50 lb) | Pavers, up to 1/4 in | 50 to 75 sq ft |
| SEK PolySweep X-Treme (50 lb) | Pavers, 1/4 to 1/2 in | 25 to 50 sq ft |
| SEK PolySweep X-Treme (50 lb) | Natural stone, 2 to 4 in | 25 to 35 sq ft |
| Alliance Gator Super Sand Bond (50 lb) | 1/8 to 3/8 in / 3/4 to 1 in | 65 to 85 / 22 to 42 sq ft |
| Alliance Gator Super Sand G2 (50 lb) | 1/8 to 3/8 in / 3/4 to 1-1/4 in | 65 to 85 / 22 to 42 sq ft |
| Alliance Gator Maxx Sand (Maxx Bond) (50 lb) | 1/8 to 3/8 in / 3/4 to 1-1/4 in | 65 to 85 / 22 to 42 sq ft |
| Alliance Gator Maxx G2 (50 lb) | 1/8 to 3/8 in / 3/4 to 1-1/4 in | 65 to 85 / 22 to 42 sq ft (Black Diamond: 58 to 76 / 20 to 38) |
| Alliance Eurostone Bond (50 lb) | 1/8 to 3/8 in / 3/4 to 1-1/4 in | 70 to 90 / 24 to 46 sq ft |
| Alliance Gator Dust Bond (50 lb) | 1 to 2 in (stone 2 to 2-1/2 in thick) | 20 to 30 sq ft |
| Techniseal SmartSand (50 lb) | Narrow / wide joints | 60 to 120 / 25 to 40 sq ft |
| Techniseal HP NextGel (50 lb) | Narrow / wide joints | 60 to 120 / 25 to 40 sq ft |
| Techniseal NOCO (50 lb) | Up to 1/2 in / wide flagstone joints | Up to 120 / 10 to 40 sq ft |
| Techniseal EZ Sand (35 lb) | 1/16 to 1/2 in | 40 to 50 sq ft |
| Techniseal NextGel Porcelain (25 lb) | Porcelain tile, 1/16 to 1/2 in | 80 to 120 sq ft (normally 100) |
| Techniseal NextGel Porcelain (25 lb) | Concrete pavers, narrow / wide | 30 to 60 / 13 to 20 sq ft |
| SRW SimplyTough (50 lb) | Narrow / wide joints | 55 to 75 / 25 to 35 sq ft |
| SRW X-Treme (50 lb) | 1/4 to 6 in | 20 to 45 sq ft |
Key sources: the SEK PolySweep data sheet, the Gator Maxx G2 data sheet, the Techniseal HP NextGel data sheet and the SRW SimplyTough data sheet. Every current sheet is in our TDS and SDS library.
Resin jointing products (pails and tubs)
| Product (container) | Joint width | Coverage per container |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance Gator Nitro (40 lb pail) | 1/8 in porcelain tile / 3/16 in pavers | 463 to 537 / 31 to 35 sq ft |
| Alliance Gator Nitro (40 lb pail) | 3/4 in pavers / 1 in pavers | 13 to 15 / 9 to 11 sq ft |
| Alliance Gator Nitro-X (27.5 lb pail) | 1/8 in porcelain tile / 1/8 in pavers | 323 to 374 / 54 to 64 sq ft |
| Alliance Gator Nitro-X (27.5 lb pail) | 3/16 in / 3/4 in / 1 in pavers | 33 to 38 / 9 to 10.4 / 6.8 to 8 sq ft |
| SRW WetLok (36 lb tub) | 1/8 in | 45 to 65 sq ft (SRW catalog) |
| ROMEX Ecofine | See data sheet | See data sheet |
Nitro ranges vary by color, and Alliance bases them on 24 x 24 x 3/4 in porcelain tile or 12 x 12 in pavers 2-3/8 in thick. For resin products, try our resin sand coverage calculator.
Why polymeric sand coverage per bag varies by brand
Manufacturers measure coverage against different reference surfaces, so compare ranges within one product rather than across brands.
- Alliance quotes coverage for pavers 2-3/8 in tall.
- Techniseal and SRW list "narrow" and "wide" joints without defining where one ends and the other begins.
- SEK says coverage varies with the shape, size and depth of the pavers installed.
- Paver size matters. Small pavers create more linear feet of joint per square foot than large slabs, so they use more sand at the same joint width.
Where published coverage stops
Several products are rated for wider joints than their coverage charts cover:
- Alliance Gator Maxx G2 is rated to 4 in, and Super Sand G2 to 2 in, but neither data sheet gives coverage above 1-1/4 in.
- Gator Dust Bond is rated for 1/2 to 6 in joints, with coverage published only for 1 to 2 in.
- SEK publishes two different figures for PolySweep X-Treme in natural stone joints up to 2 in, so we leave that row out. Confirm with SEK or use the calculator.
- Rhino does not publish a coverage chart for Power Bond Plus. Use the calculator for that product.
How to measure your area and joints
- Area: multiply length by width in feet. Break L shapes and curves into rectangles and add them together.
- Joint width: measure in several places with a tape or ruler and use a typical value, not the tightest spot.
- Joint depth: the sand sits below the top of the paver. Alliance and SEK specify 1/8 in below the surface or chamfer. Most sands in the chart need at least 1-1/2 in of depth, while PolySweep X-Treme needs 1-1/4 in.
- Paver size: note the length and width of your pavers, or the mix of sizes in a pattern.
Why to buy a little extra
None of the data sheets we reviewed gives a waste percentage, but several explain why the amount can run higher than expected. Alliance says the quantity depends on paver shape, size and joint width, and SEK says coverage varies with paver shape, size and depth. The installation steps also call for topping up: Gator Maxx G2 has you repeat the fill and compaction steps, EZ Sand has you spread more product to fill joints again, and SRW says to reapply SimplyTough if joints settle more than 1/4 in.
Running short partway through leaves part of the job waiting on another order, which is harder to manage if the weather turns. That is why our calculator adds a 10 percent allowance. Leftovers keep: SEK says clean, excess PolySweep can be stored in its original packaging for the next project, with a 24-month shelf life. Unopened bags can be returned within 30 days, but opened bags cannot.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a 50 lb bag of polymeric sand cover?
It depends on the product and joint width. Gator Maxx G2 covers 65 to 85 sq ft at 1/8 to 3/8 in joints and 22 to 42 sq ft at 3/4 to 1-1/4 in, per its data sheet. Other products publish their own ranges, shown in the chart above.
Why does a calculator estimate differ from the bag?
The bag range is based on the manufacturer's reference paver. Your pavers, joint width and depth may differ, which is why our calculator works from your own measurements.
Do wider joints really use that much more sand?
Yes. SEK PolySweep drops from 50 to 75 sq ft at joints up to 1/4 in to 15 to 25 sq ft at 1/2 to 3/4 in joints.
Is coverage the same for every color?
Not always. Alliance lists lower coverage for Gator Maxx G2 in Black Diamond, and Gator Nitro and Nitro-X coverage varies by color.
Can you return extra bags?
Unopened items can be returned within 30 days. Opened bags and samples cannot be returned.
Get a bag count for your exact project with the polymeric sand calculator, then shop our polymeric sand collection. Questions? Call (856) 418-4895, 24/7.