How deep should paver base be?

4 inches of compacted crushed stone for patios and walkways with foot traffic. 6 inches for residential driveways. 8–12 inches for heavy vehicles. Always compact in lifts no deeper than 4 inches using a plate compactor — never rely on hand tamping alone.

How much crushed stone do I need for a paver base?

Volume (cu yd) = Length × Width × (compacted depth ÷ 12) × 1.25 (compaction factor) ÷ 27. For a 15×20 ft patio with 4-inch compacted base: 15 × 20 × 0.33 × 1.25 ÷ 27 = 4.6 cu yd (about 6.5 tons of crushed stone).

How much sand do I need under pavers?

One inch of bedding sand is the standard. For a 300 sq ft area: 300 × (1/12) = 25 cu ft = 0.93 cu yd ≈ 1.3 tons of coarse concrete sand. Do not use play sand or masonry sand — only coarse concrete sand or stone dust provides proper support.

How many pavers do I need per square foot?

Depends on paver size. 4×8 inch pavers = 4.5 per sq ft. 6×9 inch = 2.67 per sq ft. 12×12 inch = 1 per sq ft. Multiply area by pavers/sq ft and add 8–10% for waste on herringbone patterns, 5% for simple running bond.

Do I need edging for a paver patio?

Yes — without edging, pavers migrate outward over time, causing gaps and unevenness. Plastic paver edging secured with 10-inch spikes every 12 inches is the standard. For driveways, use heavy-duty aluminum or steel edging. Install edging before laying pavers.

Paver Base Calculator: How Much Base Material Do You Need?

Calculate gravel base, sand bedding, and paver quantities for patios and walkways. Covers base depth requirements by application, compaction factors, and typical material costs.

Related Calculators

Paver Base Calculator
Estimate paver base and bedding sand volume, tons and material cost from project area, compacted depths and material densities.

Paver System Layers

A proper paver installation has three layers:

Layer	Material	Depth	Purpose
Base	Crushed stone (limestone, Class II base)	4–8 inches	Structural support, drainage
Bedding	Coarse sand (concrete sand)	1 inch	Leveling, cushion for pavers
Surface	Pavers	Varies by paver	Walking/driving surface

Base depth by application: - Walkways and patios (foot traffic): 4 inches compacted base - Driveways (passenger vehicles): 6 inches compacted base - Driveways (heavy vehicles, RVs): 8–12 inches compacted base

Material Quantity Calculations

Crushed stone base:

Volume (cubic yards) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27

Compaction factor: Loose gravel compacts ~20–25% after plate compactor. Order 20–25% more.

Example: 15 × 20 ft patio, 4-inch compacted base: - Target compacted depth: 4 inches = 0.33 ft - But you need to apply it loose, then compact: 4 ÷ 0.75 = 5.3 inches loose - Volume: 15 × 20 × (5.3/12) ÷ 1 = 132 cu ft = 4.9 cu yd - Weight: 4.9 × 1.4 tons = 6.9 tons of crushed stone

Bedding sand: Volume = Length × Width × (1/12 ft depth) ÷ 27 For 15×20 ft area: 15 × 20 × 0.083 ÷ 27 = 0.93 cu yd (roughly 1 ton)

Paver Count Calculation

Pavers needed = Area (sq ft) × Pavers per sq ft + Waste

Pavers per square foot depends on paver size:

Paver Size	Pavers per Sq Ft
3×6 inch	8.0
4×8 inch	4.5
6×6 inch	4.0
6×9 inch	2.67
12×12 inch	1.0

Waste factor: - Simple rectangular pattern: 5% - 45° herringbone or running bond with cuts: 8–10% - Complex pattern or curved edges: 10–15%

Example: 15×20 ft = 300 sq ft with 4×8 inch pavers in herringbone pattern: - 300 × 4.5 × 1.10 = 1,485 pavers (round up to nearest full pallet)

Pavers are typically sold in pallets of 75–120 sq ft coverage.

Base Compaction and Drainage

Compact in lifts: Never apply more than 4 inches of base material before compacting. For 6 inches of compacted base, apply and compact in two 3-inch lifts using a plate compactor.

Slope for drainage: Grade the base at 1–2% slope (1/8 inch per foot) away from structures. Flat paver installations collect water and can heave in freeze-thaw climates.

Geotextile fabric: For areas with poor soil or clay, install geotextile fabric between native soil and crushed stone base to prevent migration and maintain drainage.

Cost Estimate for 300 Sq Ft Patio

Material	Quantity	Unit Cost	Total
Crushed stone base	7 tons	$25–$45/ton	$175–$315
Bedding sand	1 ton	$30–$50/ton	$30–$50
Concrete pavers (4×8)	1,485 pieces	$0.50–$2.00 each	$742–$2,970
Materials Total			$950–$3,335
Edging (linear ft)	70 LF	$1–$3/LF	$70–$210
Labor	300 sq ft	$8–$20/sq ft	$2,400–$6,000

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep should paver base be?: 4 inches of compacted crushed stone for patios and walkways with foot traffic. 6 inches for residential driveways. 8–12 inches for heavy vehicles. Always compact in lifts no deeper than 4 inches using a plate compactor — never rely on hand tamping alone.
How much crushed stone do I need for a paver base?: Volume (cu yd) = Length × Width × (compacted depth ÷ 12) × 1.25 (compaction factor) ÷ 27. For a 15×20 ft patio with 4-inch compacted base: 15 × 20 × 0.33 × 1.25 ÷ 27 = 4.6 cu yd (about 6.5 tons of crushed stone).
How much sand do I need under pavers?: One inch of bedding sand is the standard. For a 300 sq ft area: 300 × (1/12) = 25 cu ft = 0.93 cu yd ≈ 1.3 tons of coarse concrete sand. Do not use play sand or masonry sand — only coarse concrete sand or stone dust provides proper support.
How many pavers do I need per square foot?: Depends on paver size. 4×8 inch pavers = 4.5 per sq ft. 6×9 inch = 2.67 per sq ft. 12×12 inch = 1 per sq ft. Multiply area by pavers/sq ft and add 8–10% for waste on herringbone patterns, 5% for simple running bond.
Do I need edging for a paver patio?: Yes — without edging, pavers migrate outward over time, causing gaps and unevenness. Plastic paver edging secured with 10-inch spikes every 12 inches is the standard. For driveways, use heavy-duty aluminum or steel edging. Install edging before laying pavers.

Last updated 7/28/2026