DIY paver guide

Paver Base and Sand Calculator

Last updated June 2, 2026

Use this paver base and sand calculator when you need both layers from the same patio size. It turns length and width into base gravel, bedding sand, pavers, polymeric sand, edging, and cost.

Quick answer

A 10x10 patio with 4 in base and 1 in sand needs about 1.36 cu yd of base and 0.34 cu yd of bedding sand.
A 12x12 patio needs about 1.96 cu yd of base and 0.49 cu yd of bedding sand with the same defaults.
Base and bedding sand are separate layers; do not replace missing base depth with extra sand.

Base and bedding sand estimates

Patio size	4 in base	Base tons	1 in bedding sand	Base bags	Sand bags
10x10 ft	1.36 cu yd	2.17	0.34 cu yd	74	19
12x12 ft	1.96 cu yd	3.13	0.49 cu yd	106	27
12x16 ft	2.61 cu yd	4.17	0.65 cu yd	141	36
16x20 ft	4.35 cu yd	6.95	1.09 cu yd	235	59

Assumes 10% allowance, 1.6 tons/cu yd base density, 0.5 cu ft bags, 4 in base, and 1 in bedding sand.

Complete project estimator

Paver Material Calculator

One input set for base, bedding sand, polymeric sand, pavers, edging, material cost, and installed estimate.

Imperial Metric

Popular patio sizes:

Patio length (ft) Measure the longest side. Patio width (ft) Use the average width for irregular shapes. Paver length (in) Face dimension of one paver. Paver width (in) Face dimension of one paver.

Advanced settings

Base depth (in) Recommended starting point depends on use. Bedding sand depth (in) A 1 inch screeded bed is common. Joint width (in) Average open joint width. Joint depth (in) Depth filled with polymeric sand. Waste allowance (%) Covers cuts, compaction, and ordering buffer. Base density (tons/cu yd) Supplier density for crushed aggregate. Base bag size (cu ft) Only needed for bag count. Sand bag size (cu ft) Only needed for bag count. Polymeric sand coverage (sq ft/bag) Use the product coverage chart. Paver price ($/sq ft) Set to 0 for quantities only. Base aggregate price ($/ton) Bulk supplier price. Bedding sand price ($/cu yd) Bulk supplier price. Polymeric sand price ($/bag) Retail price per bag. Edge restraint price ($/linear ft) Perimeter edging cost. Labor price ($/sq ft) Set to 0 for DIY material-only estimate.

Example base1.36 cu yd2.17 tons

Example pavers~495 pcs10x10 patio + waste

Example sand0.34 cu ydbedding layer

Example joint sand2 bagsdepends on joint width

Example for a 10x10 patio before you calculate your own project.

Change the length, width, paver size, or project type to create a supplier-ready order list.

Base and sand formulas

Both layers start with the same patio area. Base volume uses the base depth, while bedding sand volume uses the sand depth.

After calculating cubic feet, the calculator adds allowance, converts base to cubic yards and tons, and converts both layers into bag counts when needed.

Why one calculator is safer

Using separate calculators can create mismatched assumptions. One page keeps length, width, waste, paver size, and prices together so the supplier order stays consistent.

If only one layer needs tuning, use the focused base calculator or paver sand calculator after you build the combined list.

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.