Skip to content
BuildMath

Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

Patio Paver Base Calculator

Enter length, width and depth to get cubic yards, 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) counts, weight and cost — or jump straight to a size from the chart below (13 common US sizes, pre-calculated at 4").

Quick answer

Default 12x12 @ 4"
2.04 yd³
0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb)
111
Waste factor
15%
Sizes pre-calculated
13

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 12' 0"W = 12' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
2.04yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 2.25 yd³
Cubic Feet
55.20ft³
Area
144.0sq ft
Weight
2.86tons
Weight
5,724lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)111

Patio Paver Base size chart @ 4"

15% waste included. Tap a size for depth options, cost and the full material list.

SizeAreaCubic yards0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb)sTons
8x864 sq ft0.91 yd³501.27
10x10100 sq ft1.42 yd³771.99
10x12120 sq ft1.70 yd³922.39
12x12144 sq ft2.04 yd³1112.86
12x16192 sq ft2.73 yd³1483.82
12x20240 sq ft3.41 yd³1844.77
16x20320 sq ft4.54 yd³2466.36
20x20400 sq ft5.68 yd³3077.95
20x24480 sq ft6.81 yd³3689.54
24x24576 sq ft8.18 yd³44211.45
24x30720 sq ft10.22 yd³55214.31
30x401200 sq ft17.04 yd³92023.85
40x602400 sq ft34.07 yd³1,84047.70

How the math works

  1. Area = length (ft) × width (ft)
  2. Volume (cu ft) = area × depth (in) ÷ 12
  3. Add waste: × 1.15
  4. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
  5. Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag yield (0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) = 0.5 cu ft) — always round up
  6. Weight = cubic yards × 2,800 lb/yd³

Trade pro tips

  • 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 thick should paver base be?

4" of compacted crushed stone for patios and walkways, 6" on clay or in frost-prone areas, and 8"–12" for paver driveways — plus 1" of bedding sand.

What gravel is best for paver base?

Crushed angular stone with fines — Class II road base, crusher run, or ¾" minus. Avoid pea gravel and round river rock; they never lock together.

How much sand do I need under pavers?

Exactly 1" of coarse concrete sand: 1 yd³ covers about 324 sq ft at 1" (before waste).

How many pavers per square foot?

Standard 4" × 8" pavers: 4.5 per sq ft. Add 5–10% for cuts, 15% for herringbone.