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Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

16x20 Patio Paver Base Calculator

A 16' × 20' paver patio (320 sq ft) needs 4.54 yd³ — about 6.36 tons — of compacted gravel base at 4", plus 1.09 yd³ of bedding sand at 1". Here's every layer, bag count and paver quantity for 16x20.

Quick answer

4" gravel base
4.54 yd³ · 6.36 t
6" gravel base
6.81 yd³ · 9.54 t
1" bedding sand
1.09 yd³ · 59 bags
4x8 pavers (+10%)
1,585
Edge restraint
72 LF
Base rock (bulk) @ 4"
$261

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 20' 0"W = 16' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
4.54yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 4.75 yd³
Cubic Feet
122.67ft³
Area
320.0sq ft
Weight
6.36tons
Weight
12,721lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)246

Gravel base for a 16x20 paver patio

320 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)4.54 yd³6.36246$261
6"Patio on clay or in frost zones6.81 yd³9.54368$385
8"Paver driveway (vehicles)9.09 yd³12.72491$509

Sand, pavers & edging for 16x20

ItemQuantityNotes
Bedding sand 1" (concrete sand)1.09 yd³ / 1.47 tons59 × 0.5 cu ft bags
Standard 4" × 8" pavers1,5854.5 per sq ft + 10% cuts
Polymeric joint sand (50 lb)6~60 sq ft per bag
Edge restraint72 LF9 × 8' sections, spikes every 12"
Geotextile fabric352 sq ftextend 6" past edges
Excavation depth @ 4" base7.375"4" base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" paver

How the math works

  1. Area: 20 ft × 16 ft = 320 sq ft
  2. Base volume @ 4": 320 × (4 ÷ 12) = 106.67 cu ft
  3. Add 15% for compaction: 106.67 × 1.15 = 122.67 cu ft = 4.54 yd³
  4. Tons: 4.54 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 6.36 tons
  5. Sand @ 1": 320 × (1 ÷ 12) × 1.10 = 29.33 cu ft = 1.09 yd³
  6. Pavers: 320 sq ft × 4.5 × 1.10 = 1,585 pavers

Trade pro tips

  • A 16x20 patio (320 sq ft) at 4" base needs about 6.36 tons of base rock — have it dumped on a tarp near the dig.
  • 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 16x20 paver patio?

At 4" compacted: 4.54 yd³ (6.36 tons). At 6": 6.81 yd³ (9.54 tons). For a paver driveway at 8": 9.09 yd³ (12.72 tons). All include 15% for compaction.

How much sand do I need for 16x20 pavers?

A 1" bedding layer for 320 sq ft is 29.33 cu ft — 1.09 yd³, about 1.47 tons or 59 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. Add ~6 bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

How many pavers for a 16x20 patio?

About 1,585 standard 4" × 8" pavers (4.5 per sq ft × 320 sq ft + 10% for cuts). Herringbone and other angled patterns can need 15% extra.

How deep should I dig for a 16x20 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 6.81 yd³ of gravel for 16x20.