DIY paver guide

Gravel Calculator for Pavers

Last updated July 11, 2026

Use this gravel base calculator for the compacted aggregate layer under pavers. Enter patio size and base depth to estimate cubic yards, tons, and bags for supplier ordering.

Quick answer

For a 10x10 patio with a 4 inch base, plan for about 1.36 cu yd or 2.17 tons of gravel base.
For a 12x16 patio with a 4 inch base, plan for about 2.61 cu yd or 4.17 tons.
Use 6 inches or more when soil, drainage, freeze-thaw, or heavier use calls for a deeper base.

Interactive estimator

Paver Base calculator

Imperial Metric

Measurement input Length x width Total area

Project length (ft) Measure the longest side of the patio, walkway, or driveway. Project width (ft) Measure the average width if the project is irregular. Base depth (in) Compacted base depth before pavers are installed. Bedding sand depth (in) Optional sand layer estimate for the setting bed above the base. Base aggregate density (tons/cu yd) Default is crushed aggregate at 1.6 tons per cubic yard. Waste and compaction allowance (%) Add extra for compaction, uneven excavation, and ordering buffer. Bag volume (cu ft) Use the volume printed on your bag if buying bagged base. Sand bag volume (cu ft) Use the bag's actual volume if buying bagged bedding sand. Base aggregate price ($/ton) Optional supplier price for the base aggregate.

Example project 10x10 ft patio

Base volume 1.36 cu yd 4 in depth

Weight 2.17 tons bulk order

Bedding sand 0.34 cu yd 1 in layer

Bagged order 74 bags 0.5 cu ft base bags

Base cost ~$98 $45/ton

Example 10x10 patio: base is about 1.36 cu yd, 2.17 tons, or 74 half-cubic-foot bags, plus 0.34 cu yd of bedding sand.

Enter dimensions or total area, depth, density, bag size, and supplier price to create a printable order.

Gravel base estimates for pavers

Project size	4 in gravel base	6 in gravel base	4 in tons	0.5 cu ft bags
10x10 ft	1.36 cu yd	2.04 cu yd	2.17 tons	74
12x12 ft	1.96 cu yd	2.93 cu yd	3.13 tons	106
12x16 ft	2.61 cu yd	3.91 cu yd	4.17 tons	141
16x20 ft	4.35 cu yd	6.52 cu yd	6.95 tons	235

Assumes 10% allowance and 1.6 tons per cubic yard compactable gravel base.

What gravel means for pavers

For paver patios, gravel usually means compactable crushed aggregate, not decorative pea gravel. Suppliers may call it paver base, road base, base rock, crusher run, or crushed gravel base.

Use a product that compacts into a stable base under bedding sand and pavers.

Ordering gravel by tons

The calculation starts with volume because base depth is measured in inches. Bulk suppliers often sell by tons, so the calculator multiplies cubic yards by the selected density.

If your supplier gives a different tons-per-cubic-yard value, replace the default before ordering.

Helpful next step

Use the complete paver material calculator when you want one combined order list for pavers, base, bedding sand, polymeric sand, edging, and cost. Use the focused calculators when you need to tune one material at a time.