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Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

10x12 Patio Paver Base Calculator

A 10' × 12' paver patio (120 sq ft) needs 1.70 yd³ — about 2.39 tons — of compacted gravel base at 4", plus 0.41 yd³ of bedding sand at 1". Here's every layer, bag count and paver quantity for 10x12.

Quick answer

4" gravel base
1.70 yd³ · 2.39 t
6" gravel base
2.56 yd³ · 3.58 t
1" bedding sand
0.41 yd³ · 22 bags
4x8 pavers (+10%)
594
Edge restraint
44 LF
Base rock (bulk) @ 4"
$96

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 12' 0"W = 10' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
1.70yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 1.75 yd³
Cubic Feet
46.00ft³
Area
120.0sq ft
Weight
2.39tons
Weight
4,770lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)92

Gravel base for a 10x12 paver patio

120 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)1.70 yd³2.3992$96
6"Patio on clay or in frost zones2.56 yd³3.58138$151
8"Paver driveway (vehicles)3.41 yd³4.77184$193

Sand, pavers & edging for 10x12

ItemQuantityNotes
Bedding sand 1" (concrete sand)0.41 yd³ / 0.55 tons22 × 0.5 cu ft bags
Standard 4" × 8" pavers5944.5 per sq ft + 10% cuts
Polymeric joint sand (50 lb)2~60 sq ft per bag
Edge restraint44 LF6 × 8' sections, spikes every 12"
Geotextile fabric132 sq ftextend 6" past edges
Excavation depth @ 4" base7.375"4" base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" paver

How the math works

  1. Area: 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 sq ft
  2. Base volume @ 4": 120 × (4 ÷ 12) = 40.00 cu ft
  3. Add 15% for compaction: 40.00 × 1.15 = 46.00 cu ft = 1.70 yd³
  4. Tons: 1.70 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 2.39 tons
  5. Sand @ 1": 120 × (1 ÷ 12) × 1.10 = 11.00 cu ft = 0.41 yd³
  6. Pavers: 120 sq ft × 4.5 × 1.10 = 594 pavers

Trade pro tips

  • A 10x12 patio (120 sq ft) at 4" base needs about 2.39 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 10x12 paver patio?

At 4" compacted: 1.70 yd³ (2.39 tons). At 6": 2.56 yd³ (3.58 tons). For a paver driveway at 8": 3.41 yd³ (4.77 tons). All include 15% for compaction.

How much sand do I need for 10x12 pavers?

A 1" bedding layer for 120 sq ft is 11.00 cu ft — 0.41 yd³, about 0.55 tons or 22 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. Add ~2 bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

How many pavers for a 10x12 patio?

About 594 standard 4" × 8" pavers (4.5 per sq ft × 120 sq ft + 10% for cuts). Herringbone and other angled patterns can need 15% extra.

How deep should I dig for a 10x12 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 2.56 yd³ of gravel for 10x12.