Paver Base Calculator: Gravel Sub-Base Estimator
Calculate how much paver base (3/8″ minus dense-grade crushed concrete, 1.40 ton/yd³) you need for a patio or walkway sub-base. Add 1 in of bedding sand on top of the calculated base.
A solid paver patio starts with a proper gravel sub-base. Paver base — also called 3/8″ minus, dense-grade aggregate, or crushed concrete — is the right material because its fine particles compact to a rigid, stable layer that prevents settling and shifting.
Standard paver installation depth: 4–6 in of compacted paver base + 1 in of bedding sand + pavers. Use the default 15% compaction allowance below to account for the volume lost during plate compactor passes. This calculator gives you the loose material quantity to order; the compacted depth will be roughly 15–20% less.
Project Dimensions
How the math works
Step 1 — volume in cubic yards
cu yd = (length_ft × width_ft × depth_in) ÷ 324 324 = 27 cu ft/yd × 12 in/ft. A canonical landscaping shortcut: multiply area by depth (in inches) and divide by 324.
Step 2 — apply waste / compaction allowance
cu yd (with waste) = cu yd × (1 + waste % ÷ 100) The waste allowance inflates both tonnage and bag count — you buy the waste-inclusive amount.
Step 3 — tons
tons = cu yd × density (ton/yd³) Material densities (US short tons per cubic yard): pea gravel 1.35, #57 stone 1.40, paver base 1.40, river rock 1.30, crusher run 1.40. Confirm exact weight with your supplier — density varies with moisture and stone source.
Step 4 — retail bags
bags = ⌈ cu yd × 54 ⌉ A standard 50 lb bag holds 0.5 cu ft. One cubic yard = 27 cu ft ÷ 0.5 = 54 bags.
What makes paver base different
Unlike #57 stone or pea gravel, dense-grade paver base contains a blend of coarse aggregate and fine particles (fines). When compacted, the fines fill the voids between the larger stones, creating an interlocked matrix that resists lateral movement and provides a solid, flat surface for pavers to rest on.
After your gravel base is compacted and leveled, add 1 in of concrete sand (ASTM C33) as a bedding layer. The sand allows final fine-tuning of each paver's position without disturbing the base below. Never use pea gravel or play sand as bedding.
For heavy-use areas like vehicle driveways, use crusher run as the base layer (its fines are even coarser and more durable) — see the crusher run calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard recommendation is 4–6 in of compacted paver base (3/8" minus dense-grade), with 1 in of bedding sand on top. Heavier use areas (driveways, heavy foot traffic) need 6 in; light residential patios and walkways can use 4 in.
Paver base (compacted crushed concrete or 3/8" minus dense-grade) weighs approximately 1.40 ton/yd³ (2,800 lb/yd³) because the fine particles fill voids. After compaction the effective volume decreases, so the 10–15% waste/compaction allowance is important.
Yes. After the compacted gravel base, lay 1 in of bedding sand (concrete sand / ASTM C33) to allow fine-leveling of each paver. The sand layer is thin enough that a separate sand calculator usually gives accurate results for 1 in × your area.
Dense-grade base compacts significantly — the loose material can lose 20–25% of its volume once compacted with a plate compactor. A 15% waste/compaction allowance in the calculator accounts for this and is the industry default for paver projects.
No. Pea gravel is round and cannot be compacted, so pavers will shift and become uneven. Paver base (3/8" minus dense-grade or crushed concrete) is required — its angular fines lock together when compacted to create a stable, rigid layer.