Find out exactly how much gravel base and bedding sand your patio, walkway, or driveway needs — in cubic yards, tons, bags, and estimated cost.
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Quick start:
4″ for patios/walkways, 6–8″ for driveways.
1″ is the standard bedding layer.
Sets the density used to convert volume → tons.
Recommended — base settles ~20% when tamped.
You will need
🪨 Gravel base
🏖️ Bedding sand
Estimated material cost:
Bags assume 0.5 cu ft each. Tons are US (short) tons. Estimates include the compaction allowance when ticked — always round up and confirm with your supplier.
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How much paver base do I need?
A solid paver installation has two layers under the pavers: a compacted gravel base (the structural layer) and a thin bedding sand layer the pavers sit on. This calculator works out both at once. The math is simple:
Volume = length × width × depth. Convert to cubic yards by dividing cubic feet by 27, then multiply by the material’s density to get tons.
Recommended depths
Project
Gravel base
Bedding sand
Patio / walkway (foot traffic)
4 inches
1 inch
Driveway (car/light truck)
6 inches
1 inch
Heavy loads / soft clay soil
8 inches
1 inch
Material densities used
Material
Density (tons / cu yd)
Paver base / crushed stone
1.40
Crushed stone #57
1.40
Road base / crusher run
1.50
Bedding / paver sand
1.35
Densities are typical averages; actual weight varies by moisture and quarry. Use them as a close estimate.
Paver base FAQs
How many inches of gravel base do I need under pavers?
For patios and walkways, 4 inches of compacted gravel base is standard. For driveways that carry vehicles, use 6 inches, and 8 inches over soft or clay-heavy soil. Add a 1-inch bedding sand layer on top in all cases.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of paver base?
Crushed-stone paver base weighs about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard. So 5 cubic yards ≈ 7 tons. Bedding sand is a little lighter at about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Why add 20% for compaction?
Loose gravel settles roughly 15–20% once it’s tamped down to the depth you actually want, so you have to buy that much extra. Leaving the “Add 20% for compaction” box ticked covers this plus minor waste.
How many bags of paver base equal a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Paver base bags are usually 0.5 cubic feet, so a cubic yard is about 54 bags. For anything bigger than a small patio it’s far cheaper to buy gravel by the cubic yard or ton.
Do I need landscape fabric under the base?
It’s optional but recommended over soft or clay soil — fabric stops the gravel base from mixing into the subsoil and helps prevent weeds. It doesn’t change the amount of base you need.
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