Paver Base Calculator
Size the gravel base and bedding sand under a paver patio, walkway, or driveway. Enter the area and your base and sand depths to get the volume of each layer in cubic yards. A proper compacted base is what keeps pavers from settling, so getting these depths right matters.
Paver Base Diagram
How the Formula Works
Calculate gravel base volume
Gravel (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Base Depth (ft) Base depth is entered in inches and converted to feet
Calculate sand bedding volume
Sand (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Sand Depth (ft) Convert to cubic yards
Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27 Frequently Asked Questions
For a paver patio or walkway, use 4–6 inches of compacted crushed stone base plus 1 inch of sand bedding. A 12 × 10 ft patio with a 4-inch base needs 12 × 10 × (4/12) = 40 cubic feet (1.48 yd³) of gravel, and 12 × 10 × (1/12) = 10 cubic feet (0.37 yd³) of sand. Use the calculator above for your exact dimensions.
Recommended paver base depths: foot traffic patios and walkways 4–6 inches (100–150 mm), light vehicle driveways 6–8 inches (150–200 mm), heavy vehicle areas 8–12 inches (200–300 mm). Always compact the base in 2–3 inch lifts using a plate compactor for best results.
Use compactable crushed stone — also called road base, crusher run, or Class II base. Avoid rounded pea gravel or washed stone, which will not compact properly and allows pavers to shift. Crushed stone locks together when compacted to create a rigid, stable base.
The sand bedding layer should be exactly 1 inch (25 mm) — no more, no less. Thicker sand allows pavers to rock and sink. The sand bedding is a leveling layer, not a structural base — it fine-tunes elevation after the compacted gravel base is in place. Use coarse concrete sand or bedding sand, not fine play sand.
Yes — compaction is essential. An uncompacted base will settle unevenly after installation, causing pavers to tip and crack. Compact the gravel base in 2–3 inch lifts using a plate compactor. After the final lift, compact until no movement is visible. Do not compact the sand bedding layer — screed it flat and lay pavers directly.
Paver base (crushed stone) is the structural layer that carries load and prevents settling — it should be 4–8 inches thick. Paver sand is the thin bedding layer (1 inch) that levels the surface and allows minor adjustments when setting pavers. Together they form the two-layer system required for a stable paver installation.
For a circular patio, calculate the area using: Area = π × radius². Then multiply by the base depth. For example, a 12-foot diameter circle (6-foot radius) has an area of 113 sq ft. At 4-inch base depth: 113 × (4/12) = 37.7 cubic feet (1.40 yd³) of gravel.
Place landscape fabric at the bottom of the excavation before adding gravel — it separates the base material from native soil, preventing fines from migrating up into the base over time. Do NOT place fabric between the gravel base and sand layer, as this prevents proper compaction and causes the sand to shift.