Paver Base Calculator
One materials list for your whole paver patio or walkway: compacted base gravel, bedding sand, joint sand and edge restraint.
Your paver area
Sets a compacted base depth of 4 in — adjust below if needed.
Standard patio paver: 2⅜″ (60 mm).
You will need
144 sq ft · 4″ compacted base · including 10% waste
- Bedding sand
- 0.7 t
- Joint sand
- 2 bags
- Edge restraint
- 48 ft
2.5 tons base gravel + 0.75 tons bedding sand
Plus 2 bags joint sand · 48 ft edge restraint (48 spikes)
| Materials & cost | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Base gravel | 2.5 t | $113 |
| Bedding sand | 0.75 t | $38 |
| Joint sand | 2 bags | $76 |
| Edge restraint | 48 ft | $77 |
| Delivery | — | $75 |
| Total | $379 |
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Bags or bulk delivery?
Order bulk by the ton
Layer depth planner
Edge & joints
The short answer
A paver base is built in layers: 4–6 inches of compacted base gravel, then a 1 inch bedding sand layer the pavers sit in, then polymeric joint sand swept into the gaps, all held in place by edge restraint around the perimeter. Calculate each layer’s volume separately, convert to tons for the bulk materials, and use coverage rates for the bagged joint sand.
Materials for common patio sizes
Figures assume a 4″ compacted base and 1″ bedding sand, before waste.
| Patio size | Area | Base gravel | Bedding sand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 100 sq ft | 1.67 t | 0.42 t |
| 12 × 12 ft | 144 sq ft | 2.40 t | 0.60 t |
| 14 × 16 ft | 224 sq ft | 3.73 t | 0.93 t |
| 16 × 20 ft | 320 sq ft | 5.33 t | 1.33 t |
| 20 × 20 ft | 400 sq ft | 6.67 t | 1.67 t |
The three layers of a paver base
| Layer | Typical depth | Material | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 4–6″ compacted | Crushed stone / road base | Load-bearing structural layer |
| Bedding sand | 1″ screeded, not compacted | Coarse concrete sand | Level surface the pavers sit in |
| Joint sand | Fills paver gaps | Polymeric sand | Locks pavers together, blocks weeds |
Each layer does a different job. Skimping on the base is the single most common cause of a patio that sinks, shifts or develops ruts within a couple of seasons.
Joint sand coverage by joint width
| Joint width | Coverage per bag |
|---|---|
| ⅛″ | ~120 sq ft |
| 3/16″ | ~100 sq ft |
| ¼″ | ~80 sq ft |
| ⅜″ | ~60 sq ft |
| ½″ | ~45 sq ft |
Coverage varies by brand and by the size of paver used — smaller pavers have more total joint length per square foot. Always check the coverage printed on your specific product.
How to calculate a paver base
- Measure the area. Length × width, or use the shape tools above for circles, triangles and borders.
- Work out base gravel. Area × base depth (4–6″), converted to cubic yards and then tons using a density of about 2,700 lb/yd³.
- Add bedding sand. Area × 1″, converted the same way using a sand density of about 2,600 lb/yd³.
- Estimate joint sand. Divide the paver area by the coverage rate for your chosen joint width.
- Measure the perimeter. Use it to work out edge restraint length and roughly one spike per linear foot.
Worked example
A 12 × 12 ft patio, 4″ compacted base, 1″ bedding sand, 3/16″ joints:
- Area12 × 12 = 144 sq ft
- Base gravel volume144 × 0.333 ft = 48 cu ft → 1.78 yd³
- Base gravel weight1.78 × 2,700 = 4,806 lb ≈ 2.4 t
- Bedding sand volume144 × 0.083 ft = 12 cu ft → 0.44 yd³
- Bedding sand weight0.44 × 2,600 = 1,144 lb ≈ 0.6 t
- Joint sand144 ÷ 100 = 2 bags
- Perimeter / edge restraint2 × (12 + 12) = 48 ft
Add 10% waste to both bulk materials before ordering, and always round the bulk order up to your supplier’s increment.
Installation checklist
- Excavate to full depthPaver thickness + bedding sand + base gravel, plus a little extra for adjustment.
- Compact the subgradeBefore any gravel goes down. Skipping this is the top cause of settling.
- Place and compact base gravel in lifts2 inch layers, compacted with a plate compactor between each.
- Screed the bedding sandLevel with screed rails, then don’t compact it — pavers compact it as they’re set.
- Lay the paversWorking from a fixed edge, checking lines every few rows.
- Cut edge pieces and install restraintRestraint goes in before or immediately after edge pavers are set.
- Compact the whole surfaceThen sweep in joint sand and compact again to settle it into the gaps.
- Activate polymeric sandFollowing the product’s water activation instructions.
Common mistakes
- Skipping or skimping on base gravelThis is the single biggest cause of a patio that sinks or heaves within a year or two. Do not treat it as optional.
- Compacting bedding sandBedding sand should be screeded level and left loose — the pavers compact it as they’re set. Pre-compacting it creates an uneven surface.
- Skipping edge restraintWithout it, the outer pavers gradually spread and the whole field loosens over time.
- Using plain sand instead of polymeric sand for jointsPlain sand washes out with rain and invites weeds and ants. Polymeric sand hardens in place.
- Confusing base gravel with bedding sand in the orderThey’re different materials with different densities — order them separately, not as one combined “gravel” line item.
- Not accounting for total excavation depthForgetting to add the paver’s own thickness on top of the base and sand leaves the finished patio sitting too high or too low against a step or doorway.
What this calculator assumes
Adjust your result if your project differs from these.
- Base gravel density of about 2,700 lb/yd³ (crushed stone / road base)
- Bedding sand density of about 2,600 lb/yd³
- Joint sand sold in 50 lb bags, with coverage as listed in the table above
- Edge restraint sold in 8 ft sticks, with spikes roughly every 12 inches
- Triangle perimeter is estimated assuming an isosceles shape
- No separate compaction factor beyond the waste allowance
- Prices are whatever you enter; they are not live market rates
Common questions
How deep should a paver base be?
4 inches of compacted base gravel for a patio or walkway, and 6 to 8 inches for a driveway, plus a 1 inch bedding sand layer directly under the pavers.
What is the difference between base gravel and bedding sand?
Base gravel is a compacted structural layer — usually crushed stone or road base — that supports the load. Bedding sand is a thin, screeded leveling layer on top of the base that the pavers actually sit in.
Can I use paver sand instead of polymeric sand for joints?
Yes, but polymeric sand hardens when watered and resists weeds and ants far better than plain sand, which can wash out over time. Polymeric costs more but needs less maintenance.
How much base gravel do I need for a paver patio?
A 12 × 12 ft patio at 4 inches of compacted base needs roughly 1.8 cubic yards, or about 2.4 tons of crushed stone, before waste.
Do I need edge restraint for pavers?
Yes, almost always. Without it, pavers gradually spread apart at the edges under foot or vehicle traffic, widening the joints and eventually shifting the whole pattern.
How much should paver base be compacted?
Compact in 2 inch lifts with a plate compactor, making two or more passes per lift. A single deep pour compacted all at once leaves the bottom loose.
How many bags of polymeric sand do I need?
It depends on area and joint width. A 50 lb bag typically covers 100–120 sq ft at a ⅛″ joint, dropping to 45–60 sq ft at a ½″ joint.
What size gravel is best for paver base?
Crushed stone or road base in the ¾″ minus range, sometimes called crusher run or Class II base. The mix of stone and fine particles compacts into a dense, stable layer.
Do you need landscape fabric under a paver base?
Opinions vary among installers. Fabric between the subgrade and base gravel can help in poor-draining clay soil, but is generally not placed between the base and bedding sand, where it can trap water.
How far apart should edge restraint spikes be?
About every 12 inches for straight runs, and closer together — roughly every 6 inches — on curves for a tighter hold.
How thick are standard pavers?
Concrete pavers for patios and walkways are typically 2⅜″ (60 mm) thick. Driveway-rated pavers are usually 3⅛″ (80 mm) to handle vehicle loads.
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Paver Base Estimate
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Project
| Shape | — |
| Dimensions | — |
| Area | — |
| Base gravel depth | — |
| Bedding sand depth | — |
| Waste allowance | — |
Shopping list
| Base gravel | — |
| Bedding sand | — |
| Joint sand | — |
| Edge restraint | — |
| Edge spikes | — |
| Estimated cost | — |
Notes
Estimate generated by materialcalculate.com. Assumes uniform depth and standard dry material densities. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.