Paver Quantity Calculator
Calculate how many pavers you need for a patio, walkway, or driveway. Enter area and paver size to get quantity with waste.
Paver Base Material Calculator
Calculate gravel base material for paver installation. Enter area and depth to get tons of crushed stone with compaction factor.
sq ft
in
in
%
$/ton
Tons Needed⧉
10.3
7.6 cubic yards
Compacted Volume⧉
150 cu ft
6" deep x 300 sq ft
Loose Volume⧉
206 cu ft
1.25x compaction + 10% waste
Truck Loads⧉
1
~20 tons per tandem
Bedding Sand⧉
1.25 tons
1" layer
Base Material Cost⧉
$288.75
At $28.00/ton
Total Cost⧉
$332.50
Base + bedding sand
Cost per sq ft⧉
$1.11
Materials only
Layer Depth Diagram
Base material7.64 yd3
6"
Bedding sand0.93 yd3
1"
| Material | Density (lb/cf) | Compaction | Tons | Price/ton | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone | 100 | 1.25x | 10.3 | $28.00 | $288.00 |
| Recycled concrete | 95 | 1.2x | 9.4 | $22.00 | $207.00 |
| Pea gravel | 105 | 1.15x | 10.0 | $32.00 | $320.00 |
| Crushed limestone | 95 | 1.25x | 9.8 | $30.00 | $294.00 |
| Decomposed granite | 90 | 1.3x | 9.7 | $45.00 | $436.00 |
Recommended Base Depths
| Application | Base Depth | Sand | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio (pedestrian) | 4-6" | 1" | Light foot traffic only |
| Walkway | 4" | 1" | Minimal load bearing |
| Driveway (residential) | 8-10" | 1" | Vehicle loads up to 10,000 lbs |
| Commercial parking | 10-12" | 1" | Heavy vehicle traffic |
| Pool deck | 6" | 1" | Drainage important |
Planning notes, formulas, and examples
About the Paver Base Material Calculator
A properly constructed gravel base is the most important factor in paver longevity. The base distributes loads, provides drainage, and prevents settlement that causes uneven, cracked surfaces. Skipping or skimping on base material is the number one cause of paver failure.
This calculator determines how many tons of crushed stone you need for your paver base based on the project area and depth. The standard recommendation is 4–6 inches of compacted base for patios and walkways, and 8–12 inches for driveways.
The calculator includes a compaction factor because gravel compresses during installation. You typically need 20–25% more loose material to achieve the specified compacted depth.
When This Page Helps
Gravel is sold by the ton, and delivery is expensive. Under-ordering means a second delivery charge. Over-ordering means dealing with excess material. It gives accurate tonnage with the compaction factor built in.
How to Use the Inputs
- Enter the total area to be covered in square feet.
- Enter the compacted base depth in inches (4–6" patios, 8–12" driveways).
- The calculator applies a 1.25 compaction factor automatically.
- Review tons needed for ordering from your gravel supplier.
- Specify 3/4" minus crushed stone or road base material.
Formula used
Loose volume = Area (ft²) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 × Compaction factor (1.25)
Tons = Volume (ft³) × Material density / 2000
Crushed stone density ≈ 2,700 lbs/yd³ (100 lbs/ft³)Example Calculation
Result: 9.4 tons
300 ft² × 6 in ÷ 12 = 150 ft³ compacted. With 1.25 compaction factor: 187.5 ft³ loose. At 100 lbs/ft³: 18,750 lbs = 9.4 tons.
Tips & Best Practices
- Use 3/4" minus crushed stone (not round gravel) — angular pieces compact and lock together.
- Compact in 2–3 inch lifts with a plate compactor for best results.
- Check base for level after compaction; high and low spots cause paver lippage.
- Base material should extend 6–12 inches beyond the paver field on all sides.
- Moisten the base material before compacting — dry material doesn't compact as well.
- For driveways, consider 8–12" of base to support vehicle loads without settling.
Base Construction Steps
1. Excavate to the required depth plus 1" for sand. 2. Install geotextile fabric on clay soils to separate native soil from base. 3. Add crushed stone in 2–3" lifts, compacting each lift. 4. Check final grade and slope (1/8" per foot minimum). 5. Add 1" of leveling sand on top.
Soil Type Considerations
Sandy/well-drained soil: 4" base is usually sufficient. Clay soil: 6"+ base with geotextile fabric. Organic/peat soil: remove and replace with structural fill before building base. When in doubt, dig deeper.
Delivery Planning
Most gravel suppliers deliver by the truck-load (10–20 tons). Ensure you have access for a dump truck and a staging area for the material. One cubic yard of crushed stone weighs approximately 1.35 tons.
Sources & Methodology
Last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
Patios and walkways: 4–6 inches of compacted base. Driveways: 8–12 inches. Areas with poor soil (clay, organic) may need an additional 4" of open-graded stone below the base for drainage.
Use 3/4" minus crushed stone (also called road base, Class 5, or QP). The angular pieces interlock when compacted. Never use round river gravel — it doesn't compact and shifts under load.
Compaction factor accounts for loose material compressing during installation. Crushed stone compresses about 20–25%, so you need 1.2–1.25 times the compacted volume in loose material. This calculator uses 1.25.
One ton of 3/4" minus crushed stone covers approximately 80 ft² at 3" compacted depth, 60 ft² at 4" depth, or 40 ft² at 6" depth. These are approximate values after compaction.
No. Sand alone erodes and shifts under load. Sand is only used as a thin 1-inch leveling layer on top of the compacted gravel base. The structural base must be angular crushed stone.
Absolutely. An uncompacted base will settle unevenly, causing paver movement and tripping hazards. Use a plate compactor (available for rent) and compact in 2–3 inch lifts. Make at least 3–4 passes over each area.
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