Paver Base Calculator
How much base gravel and bedding sand to put under pavers, with the right depth for patios, walkways and driveways, compaction included, plus the pavers themselves if you need them.
Use 4 in of compacted base for patios and walkways (6 in on clay or in frost areas), 8–12 in for driveways, and 1 in of bedding sand. Base tons ≈ (area + 6 in beyond the edges) × depth ÷ 12 × 1.2 for compaction ÷ 27 × 1.5. A 12 × 12 ft patio at 4 in needs about 3.7 tons of base and 24 bags of sand.
Base and sand for common patio sizes
| Area | Base depth | Base gravel | Bedding sand (0.5 cu ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 4 in | 2.7 tons | 17 bags |
| 144 sq ft | 4 in | 3.7 tons | 24 bags |
| 200 sq ft | 4 in | 5.1 tons | 34 bags |
| 300 sq ft | 6 in | 11.2 tons | 50 bags |
| 400 sq ft | 6 in | 14.7 tons | 67 bags |
| 500 sq ft | 8 in | 24.2 tons | 84 bags |
Building a base that won't sink
- Dig out the base depth + 1 in of sand + the paver thickness, and extend the dig 6 in past the edges.
- Compact the soil, lay geotextile fabric on soft or clay soils.
- Spread base in 2–3 in lifts and compact each with a plate compactor, sloping ⅛–¼ in per foot away from the house.
- Screed 1 in of concrete sand over pipes; don't compact it before laying pavers.
Frequently asked questions
How much base do I need for pavers?
Multiply the area (plus 6 in past the edges) by the base depth in feet and add about 20% for compaction. For a 12 × 12 ft patio at 4 in that is about 2.5 cu yd, roughly 3.7 tons of crushed stone.
How thick should paver base be?
4 in compacted for walkways and patios on stable soil, 6 in on clay or where the ground freezes hard, and 8–12 in for driveways.
How much sand goes under pavers?
A consistent 1 in screeded layer of coarse concrete sand. More than that lets pavers rock and rut. One 0.5 cu ft bag covers about 6 sq ft at 1 in.
What is the best base material for pavers?
Crushed angular stone with fines (sold as paver base, ¾ in minus, crusher run or road base), which compacts hard. Avoid pea gravel or round stone under pavers.
Can I put pavers directly on dirt?
Not for a lasting patio. Without a compacted base, pavers settle unevenly and heave with frost. Small stepping stones in a garden are the exception.
Run a garden club, nursery or landscaping site? Embed this calculator free with one line of code.
Related free tools
Gravel Calculator
Cubic yards, tons and bags of gravel by stone type and depth.
Open tool →Paver Calculator
Pavers, base gravel, bedding sand, polymeric sand and edging.
Open tool →Pea Gravel Calculator
Pea gravel for paths, patios and play areas in yards, tons and bags.
Open tool →Driveway Gravel Calculator
Tons of stone for each driveway layer: base, middle and top.
Open tool →Sources and assumptions
Base and sand depths follow interlocking concrete paver practice published by the Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association (formerly ICPI): 4–6 in of compacted aggregate for patios and walkways, 8–12 in for driveways, 1 in of screeded bedding sand. The base extends 6 in past the edges and adds 20% for compaction; base gravel is 1.5 tons per cu yd. Polymeric sand coverage varies with joint width and paver shape; read your bag. Prices are placeholders to edit.