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Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

20x24 Patio Paver Base Calculator

A 20' × 24' paver patio (480 sq ft) needs 6.81 yd³ — about 9.54 tons — of compacted gravel base at 4", plus 1.63 yd³ of bedding sand at 1". Here's every layer, bag count and paver quantity for 20x24.

Quick answer

4" gravel base
6.81 yd³ · 9.54 t
6" gravel base
10.22 yd³ · 14.31 t
1" bedding sand
1.63 yd³ · 88 bags
4x8 pavers (+10%)
2,376
Edge restraint
88 LF
Base rock (bulk) @ 4"
$385

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 24' 0"W = 20' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
6.81yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 7.00 yd³
Cubic Feet
184.00ft³
Area
480.0sq ft
Weight
9.54tons
Weight
19,081lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)368

Gravel base for a 20x24 paver patio

480 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)6.81 yd³9.54368$385
6"Patio on clay or in frost zones10.22 yd³14.31552$564
8"Paver driveway (vehicles)13.63 yd³19.08736$756

Sand, pavers & edging for 20x24

ItemQuantityNotes
Bedding sand 1" (concrete sand)1.63 yd³ / 2.20 tons88 × 0.5 cu ft bags
Standard 4" × 8" pavers2,3764.5 per sq ft + 10% cuts
Polymeric joint sand (50 lb)8~60 sq ft per bag
Edge restraint88 LF11 × 8' sections, spikes every 12"
Geotextile fabric528 sq ftextend 6" past edges
Excavation depth @ 4" base7.375"4" base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" paver

How the math works

  1. Area: 24 ft × 20 ft = 480 sq ft
  2. Base volume @ 4": 480 × (4 ÷ 12) = 160.00 cu ft
  3. Add 15% for compaction: 160.00 × 1.15 = 184.00 cu ft = 6.81 yd³
  4. Tons: 6.81 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 9.54 tons
  5. Sand @ 1": 480 × (1 ÷ 12) × 1.10 = 44.00 cu ft = 1.63 yd³
  6. Pavers: 480 sq ft × 4.5 × 1.10 = 2,376 pavers

Trade pro tips

  • A 20x24 patio (480 sq ft) at 4" base needs about 9.54 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 20x24 paver patio?

At 4" compacted: 6.81 yd³ (9.54 tons). At 6": 10.22 yd³ (14.31 tons). For a paver driveway at 8": 13.63 yd³ (19.08 tons). All include 15% for compaction.

How much sand do I need for 20x24 pavers?

A 1" bedding layer for 480 sq ft is 44.00 cu ft — 1.63 yd³, about 2.20 tons or 88 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. Add ~8 bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

How many pavers for a 20x24 patio?

About 2,376 standard 4" × 8" pavers (4.5 per sq ft × 480 sq ft + 10% for cuts). Herringbone and other angled patterns can need 15% extra.

How deep should I dig for a 20x24 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 10.22 yd³ of gravel for 20x24.