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.

BuildingPaver Base Calculator

Paver Base Calculator

Calculate compacted aggregate base tons, cubic yards, bedding sand, and edge restraint.

Base Dimensions

Project use

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Base Depth (inches)

Bedding Layer (inches)

Patio base

6 in

Most patios and outdoor living areas

Ready to calculate

Choose a use or enter dimensions

Last updated May 26, 2026 by our expert review team

Base Depth by Use

Walkway

4 in

Foot traffic over a stable subgrade.

Patio

6 in

Typical outdoor living areas and furniture loads.

Driveway

8 in

Vehicle traffic needs a thicker compacted layer.

Weak soil

8 to 10 in

Use geotextile and compact the subgrade first.

Expert Contributors

Creator

Ruth Wairimu

Landscape Architect

Ruth Wairimu

Landscape Architect

Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.

See full profile

Expert Review

Hawkin

Certified Cost & Estimating Professional

Hawkin

Certified Cost & Estimating Professional

AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.

See full profile

Updated May 2026

How we verify our calculators

Paver Base Layer Stack Guide

Paver base layer stack showing pavers, one inch bedding sand, compacted stone base, optional geotextile on weak soil, prepared subgrade, edge restraint, and depth changes by patio, walkway, and driveway use.

The base layer carries the load. Bedding sand creates a uniform setting layer, while edge restraint keeps the paver field from spreading.

Pro Tips

Treat paver base as the structural layer. Paver sand is only the setting bed, not a substitute for a flat compacted base.

Compact aggregate in lifts. Thin passes are easier to compact evenly than one deep dump of loose stone.

Keep bedding sand near 1 inch. If the base is uneven, fix the base before screeding sand.

Install edge restraint on the compacted base, not on loose bedding sand.

Use geotextile on clay, silt, wet, or weak soil so the base stone does not migrate into the subgrade.

Need only the bedding or joint sand? Use the paver sand calculator.

Pricing dense-grade aggregate by the ton? Compare material behavior with the crusher run calculator.

How the Calculator Works

The calculator sizes the compacted aggregate base first, then estimates the bedding sand layer. Base material gets both waste and compaction allowance because loose stone shrinks as it is compacted. Bedding sand stays near a 1 inch setting layer.

Aggregate base

area x depth x waste x compaction

Bedding layer

area x 1 in x waste

Edge restraint

project perimeter

Paver Base vs Paver Sand vs Crusher Run

This page sizes the structural aggregate layer under pavers. Paver Sand covers bedding and joints. Crusher Run covers dense-grade aggregate as a generic base material.

Quick Reference

Base density: ~1.4 tons/yd³
Bedding layer: 1 in
Base extension: 6 in past edge
Compaction lifts: about 3 in
Weak soil: add geotextile

Paver Base Estimates for Common Projects

Patio Base

16 x 12 ft, 6 in base

6.57 tons base, 0.88 tons sand$244

Standard patio setup with 10% waste and 20% compaction allowance. The base material is the structural layer. Sand is only the setting bed.

Walkway Base

20 x 4 ft, 4 in base

1.79 tons base, 0.37 tons sand$71

Foot-traffic path over stable soil. Keep edge restraint continuous so narrow runs do not spread.

Driveway Paver Base

24 x 12 ft, 8 in base

13.36 tons base, 1.32 tons sand$478

Vehicle traffic needs thicker compacted aggregate and careful edge support. Compact in lifts.

Metric Patio

5 x 3.5 m, 15 cm base

5.75 tonnes base, 0.78 tonnes sand$236

Metric mode uses the same internal math after converting meters and centimeters to feet and inches.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paver Base

What is paver base?

Paver base is the compacted aggregate layer under the bedding sand and pavers. It spreads loads, supports edge restraint, and helps drainage.

How deep should paver base be?

Use about 4 inches for walkways, 6 inches for patios, and 8 inches or more for driveway pavers or weak soil.

Is paver base the same as paver sand?

No. Base is structural aggregate. Paver sand is the thin setting bed and joint material. Do not use sand to replace missing base depth.

How thick should bedding sand be?

A 1 inch bedding layer is the normal target. Thicker sand can settle and telegraph unevenness to the paver surface.

Do I need edge restraint?

Yes, unless the pavers run against a fixed structure. Edge restraint keeps the interlock from spreading at the perimeter.

Should I use geotextile fabric?

Use it on clay, silt, wet, or weak subgrade. It separates soil from the aggregate base and helps prevent migration.

Can I use crusher run for paver base?

Dense-grade aggregate can work as a compacted base when it meets local specs. This calculator sizes the paver base layer, not decorative stone.

Why include compaction?

Loose aggregate shrinks as it is compacted. The compaction allowance helps you order enough material to reach final depth.

Paver Base Mistakes That Cost You Money

Using bedding sand to fix a bad base

Fix low spots in the aggregate base. A thick sand layer settles and shows through the pavers.

Skipping edge restraint

Unrestrained pavers creep outward. Install restraint on the compacted base before final locking.

Compacting too much at once

Deep loose stone does not compact evenly. Spread thinner lifts and compact each one.

Forgetting the base extension

Extend base beyond the paver edge so restraints have solid support.

Ignoring weak subgrade

Clay and wet soils need extra prep, geotextile, or more base depth.

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.