Skip to content
Nestiex

Paver Base Gravel Calculator

Estimate the crushed gravel base needed under pavers. Enter the area and base depth to get cubic yards and tons, including a compaction allowance.

Paver Base Gravel Calculator

$
0
base (yd³, compacted)
0
tons
0
bags (0.5 ft³)
Paver Base Gravel Calculator, live preview
compacted ground 4"
Enter values to see your estimate.

How to Calculate Gravel Base for Pavers

Change the calculator above and watch every figure and the diagram below update live.

Top-down view (area × depth)

W L depth 4"

Step 1 · Area

20 ft × 10 ft = 200 ft²

Step 2 · Volume (× depth, ÷ 27)

200 ft² × 0.33 ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³

3.46
tons (× 1.4)
134
bags (÷ 0.5 ft³)

These figures update automatically as you change the calculator above.

Paver base coverage

Approximate coverage of one cubic yard of gravel at common depths.

Approximate coverage of one cubic yard of gravel at common depths.
DepthCoverage per yd³Relative coverage
1" 324 sq ft
100%
2" 162 sq ft
50%
3" 108 sq ft
33%
4" 81 sq ft
25%
6" 54 sq ft
17%
3 in
3"

At 3 inches deep, one cubic yard of gravel covers 108 sq ft.

Paver Base FAQs

How much gravel base do I need for pavers?
Use a 4–6 inch base. Calculate area × depth ÷ 27 for cubic yards, then add 10–15% because crushed base compacts.
How deep should a paver base be?
About 4 inches for walkways and patios, and 6 inches or more for driveways or areas with vehicle traffic.
What gravel is used under pavers?
Crusher run or dense-grade aggregate (with fines) compacts into a solid, level base under the bedding sand.
Do I add sand on top of the gravel?
Yes, a 1 inch bedding sand layer goes over the compacted gravel base before you set the pavers.

Related gravel calculators

Each calculator is tailored to its job, pick the one that matches your project.