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Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

24x30 Patio Paver Base Calculator

A 24' × 30' paver patio (720 sq ft) needs 10.22 yd³ — about 14.31 tons — of compacted gravel base at 4", plus 2.44 yd³ of bedding sand at 1". Here's every layer, bag count and paver quantity for 24x30.

Quick answer

4" gravel base
10.22 yd³ · 14.31 t
6" gravel base
15.33 yd³ · 21.47 t
1" bedding sand
2.44 yd³ · 132 bags
4x8 pavers (+10%)
3,565
Edge restraint
108 LF
Base rock (bulk) @ 4"
$564

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 30' 0"W = 24' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
10.22yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 10.25 yd³
Cubic Feet
276.00ft³
Area
720.0sq ft
Weight
14.31tons
Weight
28,622lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)552

Gravel base for a 24x30 paver patio

720 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)10.22 yd³14.31552$564
6"Patio on clay or in frost zones15.33 yd³21.47828$853
8"Paver driveway (vehicles)20.44 yd³28.621,104$1,128

Sand, pavers & edging for 24x30

ItemQuantityNotes
Bedding sand 1" (concrete sand)2.44 yd³ / 3.30 tons132 × 0.5 cu ft bags
Standard 4" × 8" pavers3,5654.5 per sq ft + 10% cuts
Polymeric joint sand (50 lb)12~60 sq ft per bag
Edge restraint108 LF14 × 8' sections, spikes every 12"
Geotextile fabric793 sq ftextend 6" past edges
Excavation depth @ 4" base7.375"4" base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" paver

How the math works

  1. Area: 30 ft × 24 ft = 720 sq ft
  2. Base volume @ 4": 720 × (4 ÷ 12) = 240.00 cu ft
  3. Add 15% for compaction: 240.00 × 1.15 = 276.00 cu ft = 10.22 yd³
  4. Tons: 10.22 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 14.31 tons
  5. Sand @ 1": 720 × (1 ÷ 12) × 1.10 = 66.00 cu ft = 2.44 yd³
  6. Pavers: 720 sq ft × 4.5 × 1.10 = 3,565 pavers

Trade pro tips

  • A 24x30 patio (720 sq ft) at 4" base needs about 14.31 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 24x30 paver patio?

At 4" compacted: 10.22 yd³ (14.31 tons). At 6": 15.33 yd³ (21.47 tons). For a paver driveway at 8": 20.44 yd³ (28.62 tons). All include 15% for compaction.

How much sand do I need for 24x30 pavers?

A 1" bedding layer for 720 sq ft is 66.00 cu ft — 2.44 yd³, about 3.30 tons or 132 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. Add ~12 bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

How many pavers for a 24x30 patio?

About 3,565 standard 4" × 8" pavers (4.5 per sq ft × 720 sq ft + 10% for cuts). Herringbone and other angled patterns can need 15% extra.

How deep should I dig for a 24x30 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 15.33 yd³ of gravel for 24x30.