Pavers
- Raw layout requirement
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- Recommended whole-paver order
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- Assumption
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Paver Base Calculator: Gravel, Sand and Paver Quantity
Calculate base gravel, bedding sand, paver count, weights, and order quantities for patios, paths, and driveways. Start with a total area or measured project dimensions, then tailor compaction overage, materials, bags, optional finishing materials, and prices.
Inputs
Results
Order-ready summary
Enter valid project details to calculate an order.
Base gravel
- Compacted volume
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- Recommended loose order
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- Order weight
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- Optional bags
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Bedding sand
- Compacted volume
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- Recommended loose order
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- Order weight
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- Optional bags
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Joint / polymeric sand
- Calculated joint volume
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- Recommended order
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- Order weight and bags
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Other project materials
- Edge restraint
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- Geotextile
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Optional cost estimate
Gravel—
Sand—
Pavers—
Extras—
Estimated total—
Aggregate depth is treated as finished compacted depth. Order weights use the editable loose bulk density shown with each result; suppliers may sell in different increments.
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Base-depth planning guide
These are general compacted-depth planning ranges, not structural designs. Local soil, drainage, climate, product specifications, and loading govern the final section.
| Project or condition | Planning range for compacted aggregate base | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Patio | 4–6 in (100–150 mm) | Pedestrian load, drainage, stable subgrade |
| Walkway or path | 4–6 in (100–150 mm) | Edge support and surface drainage |
| Residential driveway | 8–12 in (200–300 mm) | Vehicle loads; obtain local or engineered requirements |
| Well-drained, firm soil | Lower end may be suitable | Remove organics and compact subgrade |
| Weak, wet, or expansive soil | Often deeper than standard ranges | Separation fabric, drainage, stabilization, engineering |
| Freeze-thaw climate | Often deeper than mild-climate ranges | Frost-susceptible soil and local frost design |
| Permeable installation | System-specific open-graded reservoir | Do not substitute conventional dense-graded assumptions |
Formulas and assumptions
Area: rectangle A = length × width; circle A = π × (diameter ÷ 2)²; triangle A = base × perpendicular height ÷ 2.
Imperial pavers: module area (ft²) = (paver length in + joint in) × (paver width in + joint in) ÷ 144. raw count = project ft² ÷ module ft². order count = ceil(raw count × (1 + waste% ÷ 100)).
Imperial layers: compacted ft³ = area ft² × depth in ÷ 12; compacted yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27; loose order volume = compacted volume × (1 + overage% ÷ 100); lb = order ft³ × density lb/ft³; US tons = lb ÷ 2,000.
Metric pavers: module area (m²) = ((length mm + joint mm) ÷ 1,000) × ((width mm + joint mm) ÷ 1,000); then apply the same count, waste factor, and whole-unit ceiling.
Metric layers: compacted m³ = area m² × depth mm ÷ 1,000; loose order m³ = compacted m³ × (1 + overage% ÷ 100); kg = order m³ × density kg/m³; tonnes = kg ÷ 1,000.
Joint sand: the tool estimates the open joint fraction as 1 − paver face area ÷ module area, then multiplies it by project area and filled joint depth. Spacer geometry, chamfers, pattern details, and product gradation can alter actual coverage.
All entered layer depths are finished compacted depths. The separate overage factors estimate loose order quantities. Preset densities are approximate planning values—not product specifications—and remain editable.
Worked example: 200 sq ft patio
Assume 4 × 8 in pavers, no entered joint gap, 5% paver waste, a 6 in compacted dense-graded base at 125 lb/ft³, a 1 in compacted bedding layer at 100 lb/ft³, and 10% aggregate overage.
- Paver face area:
(4 × 8) ÷ 144 = 0.222222… ft². - Raw pavers:
200 ÷ 0.222222… = 900. - Pavers with waste:
900 × 1.05 = 945; whole-unit rule:ceil(945) = 945 pavers. - Compacted gravel:
200 × (6 ÷ 12) = 100 ft³;100 ÷ 27 = 3.703704… yd³. - Loose gravel order:
3.703704… × 1.10 = 4.074074… yd³; round up to a tenth: 4.1 yd³. Estimated weight:110 ft³ × 125 = 13,750 lb = 6.875 tons. - Compacted bedding sand:
200 × (1 ÷ 12) = 16.666667… ft³;16.666667… ÷ 27 = 0.617284… yd³. - Loose sand order:
0.617284… × 1.10 = 0.679012… yd³; round up to a tenth: 0.7 yd³. Estimated weight:18.333333… ft³ × 100 = 1,833.33 lb = 0.9167 tons.
Supplier increments can differ, so the calculator shows unrounded calculated amounts and a rounded-up planning quantity.
Material selection and ordering notes
- Use locally specified dense-graded crushed aggregate for a conventional base. Permeable pavers use a designed open-graded system and should not be estimated as a simple substitute.
- Use washed, graded concrete bedding sand that meets the paver or project specification; do not use bedding sand to fill an uneven base.
- Ask the supplier whether quoted density is loose, compacted, dry, or wet. This calculator applies density to the loose order volume.
- Confirm delivery minimums and rounding increments. Bag counts always round up, while bulk volume is displayed to the next 0.1 yd³ or 0.1 m³.
- Common mistakes include entering loose depth instead of finished compacted depth, omitting cut waste, forgetting edge restraint, and treating all sands or aggregates as interchangeable.
Methodology and review
Developed by: Starlight Tools. Last calculation review: 14 July 2026. No professional-engineer review or construction credential is claimed for this planning calculator.
The calculation uses dimensional volume, explicit loose-order overage, editable bulk density, and standard U.S./SI conversions. Installation guidance was checked against the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association resources Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavements and mechanically installed pavement guidance. Unit conversion practice follows NIST conversion guidance.
Density source: the presets are internal planning assumptions derived from common bulk-weight ranges; no specific supplier value is claimed. The selected value is shown beside each weight result and should be replaced with a supplier or product-datasheet loose bulk density where available. Supplier testing may reference ASTM C29/C29M, Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate.
FAQs
How much paver base do I need?
Multiply project area by compacted base depth. In U.S. units, divide depth in inches by 12 for cubic feet and divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards. Then apply the selected gravel overage to estimate loose material to order.
Is the entered base depth compacted or loose?
It is the finished compacted depth. The separate gravel and sand overage controls increase the purchase quantity to allow for loose material, compaction, handling, and minor grading loss.
What gravel and sand should I use under pavers?
A locally specified dense-graded crushed aggregate is common for conventional bases, and washed concrete sand meeting the project specification is commonly used for bedding. Permeable systems require different open-graded materials.
How much extra gravel, sand, and pavers should I order?
Ten percent is a useful planning default for loose aggregates. Paver waste often starts near 5 percent for running bond, 7 percent for basketweave, and 10 percent for herringbone, but curves, borders, cuts, and future repairs can increase it.
How deep should a patio or driveway paver base be?
Planning ranges are often 4 to 6 inches for patios and walks and 8 to 12 inches for residential driveways. Weak soil, poor drainage, and freeze-thaw exposure can require more depth or an engineered section.
Can pavers be laid directly on sand?
A durable flexible installation normally uses a properly prepared and compacted aggregate base beneath a uniform bedding layer. Bedding sand should not be used to correct depressions in the base.
How do bags convert to cubic yards or cubic meters?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. The calculator divides recommended order volume by the selected bag volume and rounds up. Metric bag volumes are converted from liters, where 1,000 liters equals 1 cubic meter.
Why can a supplier's weight differ from this estimate?
Bulk density varies with gradation, source, moisture, and how loosely or densely material is loaded. Select a preset as a planning value, then replace it with the supplier's measured loose bulk density before ordering.
Disclaimer
Results are planning estimates. Verify base design, drainage, material specifications, density, compaction, quantities, and delivery increments with the paver manufacturer, local authority, qualified designer, and supplier as appropriate.