Paver Base Calculator
Gravel base & sand under your pavers
Prepping a solid base under pavers? Enter the area and base depth to get the cubic yards and tons of crushed gravel base to order.
How thick should paver base be?
Plan a compacted gravel base of 4 inches for walkways and patios, or 6 inches for driveways, topped by about 1 inch of bedding sand (use the sand calculator for that layer). Excavate deep enough for the base, the sand and the paver thickness combined.
Why a real base matters
The base — not the pavers — carries the load and sheds water. Skimp on it and pavers sink, heave and pool water within a season. Use angular crusher run (not rounded pea gravel), compact every 2-inch lift with a plate compactor, and slope the finished base about ¼ inch per foot away from buildings.
Geotextile and edge restraint
Over soft or clay soil, a layer of woven geotextile fabric under the gravel stops the base from sinking into the subgrade. Finish with a solid edge restraint (plastic, metal or concrete) so the pavers can't spread sideways over time.
Paver Base Calculator: frequently asked questions
What is the best base for pavers?
A compacted dense-graded crushed gravel (crusher run) base, topped with about an inch of bedding sand.
How deep should paver base be?
4 inches for patios and walkways; 6 inches or more for driveways.
Can I use sand instead of a gravel base for pavers?
No — sand alone shifts and washes out. You need a compacted crushed-gravel base for strength and drainage, with only a thin 1-inch sand bedding layer on top to set the pavers level.