Paver Base Calculator
Calculate tons of compacted gravel base needed under a paver patio, walkway, or driveway, plus total cost at your price per ton.
How this calculator works
Paver base is compacted gravel sold by the ton, so this calculator converts your patio or walkway area and base depth into cubic yards, then multiplies by gravel’s density (1.4 tons per cubic yard). It’s the first of three layers in a paver installation — base, then bedding sand, then the pavers — and it’s the one that does the structural work of carrying load and draining water.
Formula: Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27. Tons = Cubic yards × 1.4.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft (200 sq ft) patio area at a 4-inch base depth, $45/ton:
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
- Cubic yards: (20 × 10 × 0.333) ÷ 27 ≈ 2.47 yd³
- Tons: 2.47 × 1.4 = 3.46 tons
- At $45/ton, that’s $155.56 before waste.
Coverage reference (at 4 in depth)
| Project area | Paver base needed |
|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 1.7 tons |
| 200 sq ft | 3.5 tons |
| 400 sq ft | 6.9 tons |
How to measure your area
Measure the full excavated footprint, not just the visible paver surface — the base typically extends slightly beyond the paver edges to support edge restraints. For driveways, switch the depth to 6 inches to account for vehicle loads before calculating tons.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between paver base and paver sand?
The base is a thick (4-6 inch) layer of compacted gravel that carries the structural load and provides drainage. The sand is a thin, roughly 1-inch bedding layer on top of the base that pavers are set into. Base and sand are separate steps with separate calculators.
How deep should the gravel base be for pavers?
4 inches is standard for pedestrian projects like patios and walkways. Driveways or any area carrying vehicle weight typically need 6 inches or more of compacted base to prevent settling.
What are the layers in a paver installation, from bottom to top?
Compacted subgrade, then the gravel base layer (this calculator), then a roughly 1-inch bedding sand layer, then the pavers themselves, with joint sand swept into the gaps last.
Do I compact the base before adding sand?
Yes — compact the gravel base in lifts (in 2-inch layers if going deeper than 4 inches) with a plate compactor before screeding the bedding sand on top. Skipping compaction is the most common cause of pavers shifting or settling later.
Why does this use the same density as a gravel calculator?
Paver base is standard crushed gravel (1.4 tons per cubic yard), the same material and density used for general gravel projects — this page just applies it with paver-specific default depths and related links.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.