How much paver base do I need? Enter your patio or driveway dimensions to get gravel tons, sand quantities, and cost estimates with compaction factors.
Accounts for soil settling and compaction loss
10% typical for most materials
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Enter your project dimensions
Last updated March 31, 2026 by our expert review team
Walkways
Foot traffic
Patios
Light use
Driveways
Vehicles
Heavy duty
Trucks
Ruth Wairimu
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Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.
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How we verify our calculatorsCompact in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor (5,000+ lb force) to reach 95% Modified Proctor density. Single-pass compaction leaves the bottom half loose.
Use ASTM #57 or #21A crushed stone with angular fines (3/4" minus). Never use river gravel, which is round and will not interlock.
Bedding sand must be ASTM C-33 coarse concrete sand. Play sand and mason sand shift under pavers and cause lippage within the first season. Use our paver sand calculator for exact quantities.
Grade your base at 1/4 inch per foot (2% slope) away from the foundation. The ICPI technical resources detail proper drainage slopes. Verify with a level before laying sand.
Extend your base 6-12 inches beyond the paver edge for edge restraints. ICPI Tech Spec #3 requires at least 6 inches past the paver field.
Install non-woven geotextile fabric on clay or silt soils. This prevents base material from migrating downward over 3-5 years.
Need decorative stone for the finished surface? Check our stone calculator or sand calculator for additional materials.
Our paver base calculator determines the amount of gravel base and bedding sand needed for your project, following ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) installation guidelines. It calculates two separate material layers: the structural gravel base (1.4 tons/yd³ for crushed stone per ASTM C29) and the bedding sand layer (1.35 tons/yd³ for ASTM C-33 concrete sand). The calculator applies both a waste factor (10-15% for edge losses and uneven subgrade) and a compaction factor (20% standard, since loose crushed stone compresses approximately 20-25% to reach 95% Modified Proctor density). Bedding sand does not receive a compaction factor because it is screeded to a precise 1-inch depth, not mechanically compacted.
Formula
Area × (Depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
Cubic Yards × 1.4 = Tons (gravel)
What gravel for a paver base?
Angular crushed stone, 3/4" minus (#21A or dense-grade). ICPI recommends ASTM D2940 with 10-15% fines for optimal compaction. See ICPI technical papers for full specs.
Can I use regular sand for bedding?
No. Only ASTM C-33 coarse concrete sand works. Mason and play sand shift under pavers, causing lippage in 6-12 months.
Do I need geotextile fabric?
Yes on clay, silt, or water-holding soils. It prevents base stone from migrating into soft subgrade. Optional on sandy soils.
How deep should the gravel base be?
4" for walkways, 6" for patios, 8-10" for driveways, 12"+ for commercial. Add 2" on clay soils.
How much does base material cost?
Gravel: $0.50-1.00/sq ft at 6" depth. Sand adds $0.15-0.25/sq ft. A 200 sq ft patio runs $130-250 total.
Can I skip the sand layer?
No. The 1" sand bed levels pavers and absorbs base variations. ICPI Tech Spec #2 requires a sand setting bed.
How do I check compaction?
Walk in hard-soled shoes. No footprints deeper than 1/8". The ICPI standard is 95% Modified Proctor density.
What is the compaction factor?
Plan for 20-25% loss. For 6" compacted base, spread about 7.5" of loose material. Our calculator handles this automatically.
Using round gravel instead of angular stone
Round aggregates don't interlock. ICPI requires angular crushed stone (#21A or 3/4" minus) for a stable, load-bearing base.
Making the sand bed too thick
Keep bedding sand at 1 inch compacted (1.5" loose, then screed). Fix unevenness in the gravel layer, not with extra sand.
Forgetting to slope for drainage
Grade 1/4 inch per foot (2%) away from the house. A flat patio ponds water, causing efflorescence and frost heave.
Skipping edge restraints
Without them, pavers shift 1-2 inches per year. Install Snap Edge or aluminum L-channel on all sides before final compaction.
Compacting the full depth in one pass
Compact 2-3 inches at a time. An 8-inch single-pass leaves the bottom loose, causing settling in the first winter.
Not extending base past paver edge
Extend gravel 6-12 inches beyond pavers on all sides per ICPI. This supports edge restraints and prevents rain undermining.
192 sq ft patio with #21A crushed stone base and ASTM C-33 bedding sand. With 20% compaction factor and 10% waste, total material cost was under $120. Geotextile fabric added $30 for the clay subgrade. Completed in one weekend.
240 sq ft driveway apron using 8 inches of compacted base for vehicle traffic per ICPI standards. The extra base depth handles a daily-use SUV and occasional delivery trucks. Aluminum edge restraints ($45) keep pavers locked.
120 sq ft garden walkway needing only 4 inches of base (foot traffic only). The narrow width required careful edge restraint on both sides. Completed the base prep in 3 hours, including one trip to the landscape supply yard.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.