Paver Base Calculator
Estimate the gravel base for a paver patio or walkway. Enter the area and base depth to get cubic yards, tons and cost — pre-set to a 4-inch compacted road-base layer.
Picks a typical depth & material — tweak anything below.
For a 10 × 10 ft area at 4 in deep, order about 1.36 cubic yards (2.52 US tons) of class 5 / road base.
Estimates only. Densities vary by moisture, compaction and supplier — confirm quantities before ordering.
How much gravel base do I need for pavers?
Measure your patio or walkway length and width in feet, multiply for the area, then multiply by the base depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. Paver bases use a compacted layer of road base (crusher run) — usually 4 inches for a patio or walkway. For a 10 ft × 10 ft patio at 4 inches that's about 1.25 cubic yards, or roughly 2.3 tons. Enter your own numbers above for the exact amount.
How thick should a paver base be?
Plan on 4 inches of compacted gravel base for patios and walkways over firm ground, and 6 to 8 inches for paver driveways or soft soil. Compact the base in layers, then add a 1-inch bedding layer of coarse sand on top before laying the pavers. Excavate deep enough for the base plus sand plus the paver thickness.
Gravel base plus sand for pavers
A paver base is two layers: a compacted road-base (Class 5 / crusher run) gravel layer for strength, topped with about 1 inch of coarse bedding sand that the pavers set into. This calculator sizes the gravel base — use the Sand Calculator for the 1-inch sand layer. The gravel needs fines so it compacts hard; don't use clean, single-size stone here.
Paver base cost
Road base is one of the cheaper aggregates, often $25–$45 per ton or so delivered. Enter your supplier's price above for an instant base cost estimate, and remember to budget for the bedding sand and edge restraints separately.
Paver base depth guide
| Project | Gravel base + bedding sand |
|---|---|
| Walkway / light patio | 4 in base + 1 in sand |
| Standard patio | 4–6 in base + 1 in sand |
| Paver driveway | 6–8 in base + 1 in sand |
Base compacted in layers over a firm subgrade; excavate for base + sand + paver thickness.
Worked examples
- 10 ft × 10 ft = 100 sq ft
- 100 × 4 in (0.33 ft) = 33.3 cu ft
- 33.3 ÷ 27 = 1.23 cubic yards
- × ~1.85 ton/yd³ ≈ 2.3 tons
- 16 ft × 20 ft = 320 sq ft
- 320 × 4 in (0.33 ft) = 106.7 cu ft
- 106.7 ÷ 27 = 3.95 cubic yards
- × ~1.85 ton/yd³ ≈ 7.3 tons
- 3 ft × 30 ft = 90 sq ft
- 90 × 4 in (0.33 ft) = 30 cu ft
- 30 ÷ 27 = 1.1 cubic yards
- × ~1.85 ton/yd³ ≈ 2 tons
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not compacting the base. An uncompacted base settles and the pavers sink unevenly. Compact the gravel in 2-inch layers with a plate compactor.
- Base too thin. Less than 4 inches won't support foot traffic long-term, and pavers heave. Use 4 inches for patios, 6+ for driveways.
- Using clean stone instead of road base. Single-size clean gravel (like #57) won't compact into a firm base. Use road base / crusher run, which has fines that lock up hard.
- Forgetting the sand layer. Pavers sit on about 1 inch of bedding sand over the gravel, not directly on the stone. Size and order that sand separately.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need under pavers?+
For a 10 ft × 10 ft patio with a 4-inch base, about 1.25 cubic yards (roughly 2.3 tons) of road base. Enter your own area and depth above for the exact amount.
What kind of gravel goes under pavers?+
Road base — also called Class 5 or crusher run — because its mix of sizes and fines compacts into a hard, stable base. Top it with about 1 inch of coarse bedding sand.
How thick should the paver base be?+
4 inches of compacted gravel for patios and walkways, 6 to 8 inches for paver driveways, plus a 1-inch sand bedding layer.
Do I need sand over the gravel base?+
Yes — pavers set into about 1 inch of coarse bedding sand on top of the compacted gravel, which lets you level each paver. Calculate that sand with the Sand Calculator.