DIY paver guide
How Much Paver Base Do I Need?
To estimate paver base, multiply patio area by compacted base depth, add allowance, convert to cubic yards, then multiply by aggregate density for tons.
Quick answer
- A 10x10 patio with a 4 in base needs about 1.36 cu yd or 2.17 tons.
- A 12x12 patio with a 4 in base needs about 1.96 cu yd or 3.13 tons.
- Use 6 in or more when soil, drainage, freeze-thaw exposure, or heavier use calls for a deeper base.
Paver base needed by patio size
| Project size | 4 in base | 4 in tons | 6 in base | 6 in tons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 ft | 1.36 cu yd | 2.17 | 2.04 cu yd | 3.26 |
| 12x12 ft | 1.96 cu yd | 3.13 | 2.93 cu yd | 4.69 |
| 12x16 ft | 2.61 cu yd | 4.17 | 3.91 cu yd | 6.26 |
| 16x20 ft | 4.35 cu yd | 6.95 | 6.52 cu yd | 10.43 |
Assumes 10% allowance and 1.6 tons per cubic yard compactable paver base.
Interactive estimator
Paver Base calculator
Example 10x10 patio: base is about 1.36 cu yd, 2.17 tons, or 74 half-cubic-foot bags.
Enter your own length, width, depth, density, and bag size to create a supplier order.
Paver base formula
Area is length times width. Volume is area times depth. Convert depth from inches to feet, add allowance, then divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
For tons, multiply cubic yards by density. This site defaults to 1.6 tons per cubic yard for planning, but supplier density can vary.
When to order bags instead of bulk
Bags make sense for small repairs, steps, and hard-to-access areas. Full patios often require dozens or hundreds of bags, so bulk delivery is usually easier.
Use the bag result for store pickup planning and the ton result for bulk quotes.
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.