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Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

10x10 Patio Paver Base Calculator

A 10' × 10' paver patio (100 sq ft) needs 1.42 yd³ — about 1.99 tons — of compacted gravel base at 4", plus 0.34 yd³ of bedding sand at 1". Here's every layer, bag count and paver quantity for 10x10.

Quick answer

4" gravel base
1.42 yd³ · 1.99 t
6" gravel base
2.13 yd³ · 2.98 t
1" bedding sand
0.34 yd³ · 19 bags
4x8 pavers (+10%)
496
Edge restraint
40 LF
Base rock (bulk) @ 4"
$83

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 10' 0"W = 10' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
1.42yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 1.50 yd³
Cubic Feet
38.33ft³
Area
100.0sq ft
Weight
1.99tons
Weight
3,975lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)77

Gravel base for a 10x10 paver patio

100 sq ft, +15% for compaction. Crushed stone / Class II road base ≈ 1.4 tons per yd³.

Base depthUseCubic yardsTons0.5 cu ft bagsBulk est.
4"Patio / walkway (foot traffic)1.42 yd³1.9977$83
6"Patio on clay or in frost zones2.13 yd³2.98115$124
8"Paver driveway (vehicles)2.84 yd³3.98154$165

Sand, pavers & edging for 10x10

ItemQuantityNotes
Bedding sand 1" (concrete sand)0.34 yd³ / 0.46 tons19 × 0.5 cu ft bags
Standard 4" × 8" pavers4964.5 per sq ft + 10% cuts
Polymeric joint sand (50 lb)2~60 sq ft per bag
Edge restraint40 LF5 × 8' sections, spikes every 12"
Geotextile fabric111 sq ftextend 6" past edges
Excavation depth @ 4" base7.375"4" base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" paver

How the math works

  1. Area: 10 ft × 10 ft = 100 sq ft
  2. Base volume @ 4": 100 × (4 ÷ 12) = 33.33 cu ft
  3. Add 15% for compaction: 33.33 × 1.15 = 38.33 cu ft = 1.42 yd³
  4. Tons: 1.42 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 1.99 tons
  5. Sand @ 1": 100 × (1 ÷ 12) × 1.10 = 9.17 cu ft = 0.34 yd³
  6. Pavers: 100 sq ft × 4.5 × 1.10 = 496 pavers

Trade pro tips

  • A 10x10 patio (100 sq ft) at 4" base needs about 1.99 tons of base rock — a pickup can haul it in 1–2 trips.
  • Excavate base depth + 1" sand + paver thickness (2-3/8" for standard pavers).
  • Compact the base in 2" lifts with a plate compactor — one thick lift never gets dense.
  • Screed bedding sand to exactly 1". Thicker sand causes pavers to rut and shift.
  • Use edge restraint on every side not held by a wall or slab, spiked every 12".

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel base do I need for a 10x10 paver patio?

At 4" compacted: 1.42 yd³ (1.99 tons). At 6": 2.13 yd³ (2.98 tons). For a paver driveway at 8": 2.84 yd³ (3.98 tons). All include 15% for compaction.

How much sand do I need for 10x10 pavers?

A 1" bedding layer for 100 sq ft is 9.17 cu ft — 0.34 yd³, about 0.46 tons or 19 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. Add ~2 bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

How many pavers for a 10x10 patio?

About 496 standard 4" × 8" pavers (4.5 per sq ft × 100 sq ft + 10% for cuts). Herringbone and other angled patterns can need 15% extra.

How deep should I dig for a 10x10 paver patio?

About 7-3/8" for a patio: 4" gravel base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" pavers. On clay or in frost zones use a 6" base (about 9-3/8" dig), which takes 2.13 yd³ of gravel for 10x10.