Paver Base Gravel Calculator — Crushed Stone, Base Depth & Bedding

Q: What is the best gravel for a paver base?

Crushed stone with angular faces — ¾-inch crushed granite or limestone with fines (dense grade). Angular particles interlock when compacted. Avoid rounded river rock.

Q: Do I really need a waste factor?

Yes. Crushed stone compacts by roughly 20% under a plate compactor. A 10–15% waste factor accounts for compaction, spillage, and uneven subgrade.

Q: Can I use this calculator for a driveway?

Yes, but increase the base depth to 8–12 inches of compacted base, installed in multiple lifts. For heavy vehicles or poor soil, consult a geotechnical engineer.

Q: What's the difference between base gravel and bedding sand?

Base gravel is the structural layer (4–12 inches of compacted crushed stone). Bedding sand is a 1-inch leveling layer directly under the pavers. They serve different purposes.

Project Inputs

All dimensions in feet & inches

Number of areas ⓘ

Max 10 areas

Base gravel depth ⓘ 4 in

1"3"5"7"9"12"

Bedding sand depth ⓘ 1 in

0.5"0.75"1"1.25"1.5"

Material density ⓘ

lb/ft³

Waste / compaction factor ⓘ

Live cross-section

Not to scale

Pavers

Bedding sand

Base gravel

Subgrade

Calculated Material

Includes waste factor

Total base gravel volume

0.00 ft³

0.00 yd³ 0 lb

Base gravel

0.00

ft³ (0.00 yd³)

0 lb

Bedding sand

0.00

ft³ (0.00 yd³)

0 lb

Total area

0.00

ft²

Total weight

US tons

Formula: Volume = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 12 × (1 + Waste%). Weight = Volume × Material Density. Always confirm with your supplier — moisture content and gradation affect actual tonnage.

Why paver base depth matters more than anything else

A paver installation is a structural system, not just a decorative surface. The base gravel layer is the foundation that carries every load — foot traffic, patio furniture, vehicles, freeze-thaw cycles. Get the base wrong and no amount of beautiful pavers will save the project. Within a season you'll see rocking, rutting, and uneven settlement.

The general rule for paver base depth is:

→ 4 inches compacted for pedestrian patios and walkways on stable, well-drained soil.
→ 6 inches for pathways that see occasional light vehicle traffic or where soil is less stable.
→ 8–12 inches for driveways, RV pads, and any regular vehicle load. Often installed in two compacted lifts.

These numbers assume compacted depth. When you order loose crushed stone, it fluffs up by roughly 20%. That's why this calculator applies a waste factor — typically 10–15% — on top of your geometric volume.

Bedding layer: the 1-inch rule

The bedding layer sits between the compacted base and the pavers. It's usually coarse sand or stone dust, screeded to a consistent 1 inch depth. This layer does two things: it levels the pavers so they don't rock, and it allows minor adjustments during installation.

What it is not is a structural layer. If you make the bedding too thick — say 2 or 3 inches — it will compress unevenly under load and your pavers will shift. One inch, screeded flat, is the standard. Some installers use ¾ inch for very flat, large-format pavers on a perfectly graded base.

Pro tip: Don't confuse bedding sand with polymeric sand. Polymeric sand goes in the joints after pavers are laid. Bedding sand goes underneath.

Material density: why your tonnage estimate is an approximation

This calculator converts volume to weight using material density, measured in pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³). Common values:

Material	Density (lb/ft³)	Tons per yd³
Crushed granite (¾")	~100	~1.35
Crushed limestone	~95	~1.28
Dense grade aggregate	~105	~1.42
Concrete sand (bedding)	~100	~1.35

Real-world density varies with moisture content, gradation (the mix of particle sizes), and how well the material was compacted before delivery. A supplier's "crushed stone" might be 92 lb/ft³ or 108 lb/ft³ depending on the quarry. For critical projects, ask for the actual spec sheet.

How to calculate your volume (the formula)

The core math is straightforward, but unit consistency is where most DIY estimates go wrong.

Measure each area's length and width in feet. For irregular patios, break the shape into rectangles and run the calculator for each area.
Convert depth from inches to feet. Divide by 12. A 4-inch base = 0.333 ft.
Multiply: Volume (ft³) = Length × Width × Depth(ft).
Sum all areas if you have more than one.
Apply waste factor: Volume × (1 + waste% ÷ 100).
Convert to cubic yards: Divide ft³ by 27.
Estimate weight: Volume(ft³) × Density(lb/ft³) = pounds.

Example: 12 ft × 14 ft patio, 4" base, 1" bedding, 10% waste, 100 lb/ft³

Base: 12 × 14 × (4/12) = 56 ft³ → +10% = 61.6 ft³ → 2.28 yd³ → 6,160 lb (≈ 3.1 tons)

Bedding: 12 × 14 × (1/12) = 14 ft³ → +10% = 15.4 ft³ → 0.57 yd³ → 1,540 lb

Limitations: what this calculator can't know

This tool gives you a solid material estimate, but every project has site-specific variables:

• Soil bearing capacity. Clay, loam, and sand behave differently. Expansive clay may require excavation and replacement with engineered fill.
• Drainage. If water pools under the base, it will freeze, heave, and destroy the installation. A compacted base needs a path for water to leave.
• Frost depth. In cold climates, the base may need to extend below the local frost line, which can mean 12–24 inches of gravel.
• Compaction equipment. A plate compactor achieves different density than a hand tamper. The waste factor accounts for this, but not perfectly.
• Edge restraint. Without proper edging, the base spreads and pavers migrate. This calculator doesn't cover edging material.

For driveways, retaining walls above the patio, or any project on questionable soil, consult a local civil engineer or experienced hardscape contractor. The cost of a site visit is trivial compared to redoing a failed installation.

Frequently asked questions

How deep should paver base be for a patio?

For a typical pedestrian patio, 4 inches of compacted crushed stone is the minimum standard. If the soil is soft or poorly drained, use 6 inches. The base must be compacted in lifts (usually 2–3 inches at a time) with a plate compactor.

What is the best gravel for a paver base?

Crushed stone with angular faces — not rounded river rock. The most common choice is ¾-inch crushed granite or limestone with fines (often called "dense grade" or "modified"). The angular particles interlock when compacted, creating a stable structural layer. Rounded gravel never locks together and will shift under load.

How much does a cubic yard of paver base weigh?

Crushed stone typically weighs between 1.25 and 1.45 US tons per cubic yard, depending on the rock type and moisture content. A good planning number is 1.35 tons/yd³. For a 2-yard order, expect roughly 2.7 tons.

Do I really need a waste factor?

Yes. Crushed stone is delivered loose and compacts by roughly 20% under a plate compactor. You also lose material to spillage, over-excavation, and uneven subgrade. A 10–15% waste factor is standard. Ordering exactly the geometric volume guarantees you'll run short.

Can I use this calculator for a driveway?

Yes, but increase the base depth. Driveways carrying regular vehicle loads need 8–12 inches of compacted base, often installed in two or more lifts. For heavy vehicles or poor soil, consult a geotechnical engineer. The bedding layer stays at 1 inch.

What's the difference between base gravel and bedding sand?

Base gravel is the structural layer — 4–12 inches of compacted crushed stone that carries the load. Bedding sand is a thin (1 inch) layer of coarse sand or stone dust that sits directly under the pavers for leveling. They serve completely different purposes and should never be substituted for each other.