Paver Base Calculator
Estimate base stone and bedding sand volume, weight, and optional cost.
Quick guide
- A paver base usually has two layers: compacted base stone + a thin bedding sand layer.
- Use finished (installed) area and average depths for each layer.
- Add a buffer for compaction, uneven subgrade, and edge cuts (often 5-10%).
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- Use the base vs waste split for both stone and sand so you can plan compaction overage separately.
- Plan excavation depth as paver thickness + bedding sand + base stone (and include any grade correction).
- Do not confuse bedding sand with joint sand; joint sand/polymeric sand is a separate line item.
- Plan edge restraint and slope early—these details change the excavation and the real material list more than small math errors do.
- Measure the base footprint, not just the visible pavers—base often extends beyond the edge for stability.
Separate base stone vs bedding sand
Most paver systems use a compacted base stone layer plus a thin bedding sand layer. These layers have different thickness targets and different materials.
Compaction reduces loose thickness, so plan extra material and confirm recommended depths for your soil and use case (walkway vs driveway).
If your patio fails, it is usually because of base and drainage, not because you were off by a small amount of sand. Slope, compaction lifts, and edge restraint matter more than perfect math.
Bedding sand is not a thick leveling layer. If you need to fix grade, do it in the base stone layer and compact in lifts; thick sand layers tend to settle unevenly.
Base stone is often sold by tons. Yards-to-tons conversions vary by product and moisture, so the most reliable number is the supplier conversion for the exact material you are buying.
If you have soft soil, consider whether geotextile or additional base depth is recommended. It changes the performance even if the paver surface area is the same.
Base vs bedding vs joint sand: base stone is the structural layer, bedding sand is a thin screed layer to set pavers, and joint sand (often polymeric) locks joints and reduces washout. Treat them as three different line items even though two are called "sand."
Compaction is usually done in lifts. If you need a thick base, placing it in multiple compacted lifts helps prevent future settling and rutting (project dependent).
Edge restraint is part of the structure. Without proper edging, pavers can migrate outward and joints open, especially on driveways and heavy-use paths.
Worked example: a 200 sq ft patio with a 6" compacted base and a 1" bedding layer is 200 x (6/12) = 100 cu ft of compacted base (~3.7 yd3) plus 200 x (1/12) = 16.7 cu ft of bedding sand (~0.62 yd3), plus joint sand coverage. You may order more loose base to account for compaction and grading (and you should confirm supplier conversions if ordering by tons).
Slope planning: the surface should shed water. A small slope across a long run changes the average thickness of the base and affects volume more than many people expect.
Base depth is usage-dependent. Light walkways can use less base than driveways. If you plan vehicle loads or weak soils, confirm a deeper base recommendation and treat it as a structural choice, not a minor tweak.
Excavation and spoil matter. Removing soil and disposing of it can be a major part of cost and labor. Planning the excavation volume early helps avoid getting stuck mid-project with nowhere to put spoil.
Base material is usually a graded aggregate that compacts (often sold as "3/4\" minus" or similar). Clean, round stone does not compact the same way. Confirm the product name and intended use with your supplier so the base behaves as expected.
Joint sand coverage depends on paver size and joint width. If you use polymeric sand, follow the product’s depth/compaction/sweep-in instructions so joints lock and resist washout (project dependent).
Paver Base Calculator
Estimate base stone and bedding sand volume, weight, and optional cost.
Results
- Base volume (cubic yards)
- 2.47
- Waste buffer (cubic yards)
- 0.25
- Estimated cubic yards
- 2.72
- Estimated tons (US)
- 3.8
- Base volume (cubic yards)
- 0.62
- Waste buffer (cubic yards)
- 0.06
- Estimated cubic yards
- 0.68
- Estimated tons (US)
- 0.92
How to measure for paver base
- Measure the total patio/walkway area (length x width) and include any curves by splitting into rectangles.
- Measure the full excavation footprint, not only the paver footprint. Base often extends beyond the pavers (edge restraint and stability needs), so the base area can be larger than the visible patio.
- Choose base thickness based on soil and use (walkway vs patio vs driveway).
- Bedding sand is typically a thin layer—confirm your paver system recommendations.
- If you plan a border or soldier course, include it in the footprint; borders add cuts and sometimes widen the base area.
- If you are correcting grade, estimate the extra base needed for the low areas separately (do not average a deep low spot across the whole patio).
- Plan the excavation depth so finished pavers meet the target elevation and slope (drainage).
- Estimate materials separately: base stone volume, bedding sand volume, and joint sand/polymeric sand coverage (they are different products).
- Measure the edge length where you need restraint so you can estimate edge restraint pieces and spikes (those items are usually sold by length/count, not area).
Assumptions to double-check
- Base stone density varies by product and moisture; supplier conversions (yards <-> tons) vary.
- Compaction reduces loose material thickness; plan for compaction and regrading.
- Edging and slope/drainage can change the effective area and material needs.
- Recommended base depth depends on soil and loads (a walkway and a driveway are not the same).
- Your sand thickness target is the final compacted thickness; installed thickness can vary during screeding and compaction.
- Base stone, bedding sand, and joint sand are different materials with different thickness targets; do not combine them into one "sand" estimate.
- If you have organic soil, soft spots, or poor drainage, you may need extra excavation and base depth for performance (project dependent).
Buying tips
- Confirm the correct base material (often 3/4" minus) and bedding sand type with your local supplier.
- Confirm whether you need geotextile/separator fabric for your soil condition (project dependent).
- Round up to delivery minimums and plan access for a dump/pallet drop.
- If you have low spots, plan extra base stone to build grade before sand.
- Buy (or plan) edge restraint and spikes—missing edge restraint is a common reason pavers spread and settle.
- If you are using polymeric joint sand, confirm coverage from the label and plan dry weather for installation.
- If you’re renting a plate compactor, coordinate delivery and timing. Compaction schedule affects how much base you can place in a day and can influence how much material you should have on site at once.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using bedding sand as a thick leveling layer instead of fixing the base.
- Not accounting for compaction (ordering only the final thickness).
- Skipping edging/slope planning, which can change effective area and depth.
- Forgetting joint sand/polymeric sand and thinking it is included in the bedding sand estimate.
- Estimating only the patio rectangle and forgetting step-outs, borders, or landing areas that also need base.
- Estimating base only under the pavers and forgetting that the base often extends beyond the edge of the pavers for stability (project dependent).
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Results are estimates for informational purposes only. Always verify measurements and product specifications.