EstimatorPad

Paver Base Calculator

Turn patio dimensions into independently checked gravel-base and bedding-sand purchase quantities. Compare loose cubic yards, tons and manufacturer-labelled bags without inventing a supplier price.

Enter measurements below. Results update as you type, and optional prices can be added before sharing the estimate.

01 — Your patio footprint

Base gravel and bedding sand, separately

The gravel base can extend beyond the paver edges while bedding sand covers the paver footprint. Each layer has its own volume, density and bags.

ft
ft
in

Extends the crushed-stone footprint beyond the paver perimeter on all four sides. Set 0 if the design requires none.

02 — Material layers

Paver surface (not included in estimate)
Bedding sand · 1 in
Compacted crushed-stone base · 4 in
Prepared subgrade · verify on site
in

Use the thickness specified for your soil, climate, loads and installation system.

in

Enter installed bedding depth, not the excavated depth.

%

20% is an editable planning assumption, not a universal specification.

%

Applied to bedding sand volume separately from gravel.

03 — Supplier bag sizes and bulk material density
US ton/yd³

Use your gravel supplier's loose bulk density; not compacted in-place density.

US ton/yd³

Use your sand supplier's measured loose bulk density.

ft³

Use actual bag coverage / volume, not weight alone.

ft³

Enter the bag label's actual loose sand volume.

04 — Optional local price comparison
$/US ton
$/bag
$/US ton
$/bag

Quotes are material-only. Freight, minimum order quantities, taxes and delivery fees are excluded; compare real supplier totals.

All quantities recalculate immediately.

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The calculation

Gravel base and bedding sand are distinct material layers

Loose gravel = (length + 2 × edge extension) × (width + 2 × edge extension) × compacted depth × (1 + loose-volume allowance). Sand = length × width × sand depth × (1 + sand allowance).

  • Convert all dimensions to consistent feet and inches or meters and centimeters before calculating volumes.
  • The paver footprint and gravel-base footprint can differ because the base may extend past the edge on all four sides.
  • The loose-volume allowance is applied only to the gravel base; sand has its own editable handling allowance.
  • Bulk tonnage uses your entered loose material density; bag quantities use the volume stated on the actual product label.
  • Whole bags always round up. If you enter prices, gravel and sand have separate bag and bulk quotes, excluding freight.
  • Never treat default layers or compaction as engineering design for traffic, frost, settlement or drainage.

Quick examples

12 × 16 ft patio with 6 in base overhang on every edge192 sq ft paved, 221 sq ft crushed-stone footprint
4 in compacted crushed base with 20% loose allowance88.4 ft³ loose gravel = 3.274 yd³
At a supplier density of 1.4 US tons / yd³4.58 US short tons of base gravel
1 in sand bedding with 10% handling allowance17.6 ft³ = 0.652 yd³; 36 bags of 0.5 ft³

Examples are planning checks. Product-label coverage and whole pack sizes control the final purchase quantity.

Verified references

Check the exact product data before ordering

Inch Calculator — Paver Base Calculator

Industry comparator for volume-based gravel and sand estimates and an editable compaction allowance.

Open source

Inch Calculator — Paver Calculator

See the separate scope of paver surface quantities and joint materials; this tool deliberately focuses on base procurement.

Open source

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Common questions

Understand the result before purchasing

01How much gravel base do I need under pavers?+

Multiply the extended gravel-base footprint by your specified compacted base depth, then apply a supplier-appropriate loose-volume allowance before ordering bulk gravel or bags. Base footprint can extend beyond the paved edges; bedding sand uses the paved area only.

02Why is the gravel-base footprint larger than the patio?+

Some paver systems require a compacted base extending past the paver perimeter to support the edge restraint. Enter the overhang required by your chosen installation specification; zero is available if no extension is specified.

03What is the difference between compacted gravel and loose gravel quantities?+

Your installation specifies a compacted finished depth, but suppliers generally deliver loose material. The calculator keeps the compacted geometric volume separate and multiplies it by your editable loose-volume allowance for planning. Verify the allowance and density with your supplier.

04How much bedding sand do I need for a paver patio?+

The sand estimate uses only your paved length × width × selected bedding thickness, plus an editable handling allowance. The sand result is separate from gravel; do not add the gravel-base overhang to the sand area unless required by your design.

05How many bags of paver base or leveling sand should I buy?+

Enter the cubic-foot or liter volume stated by your supplier for each bag. The calculator divides each loose material volume by its own bag yield and rounds up to whole packages. Bag weight by itself does not establish volume without density.

06Can I compare bulk delivery and bagged materials?+

Yes. Enter the actual loose bulk densities, material price per short ton or metric tonne, and/or the bag prices. The tool shows separate material-only quotes. Delivery, disposal, taxes and supplier order minimums are outside the estimate.

07Does the calculator estimate the number of pavers or polymeric sand bags?+

No. It estimates the two base layers only. Paver counts, edging, polymeric joint sand, labor and excavation are outside scope; that keeps the results clear and reduces mistaken combined quantities.

08How deep should my paver base be?+

Depth depends on use, subgrade, climate, drainage and product requirements. The defaults are a planning example, not a universal code requirement. Use a specified depth approved for your actual project and consult a professional for load-bearing or challenging site conditions.