Landscaping · updated 2026
Paver Base Calculator
Nine out of ten failed paver patios fail in the base, not the pavers — skimp the gravel or skip compaction and the surface settles into waves within two seasons. This paver base calculator sizes both layers from your patio dimensions: the compacted crusher-run base (4 in for patios, 6–8 in for driveways) and the 1-in concrete sand bedding layer, returning tons of each plus 2026 material costs. Densities use 100 lbs per cubic foot for both materials, the standard planning figure.
4 in for patios and walkways; 6–8 in where vehicles will drive
Show the math
Area = 16 × 12 = 192.0 sq ft
Base volume = 192.0 × (4 ÷ 12) = 64 ft³
Base tons = 64 × 100 lbs/ft³ ÷ 2000 = 3.20 tons
Sand volume = 192.0 × (1 ÷ 12) = 16 ft³
Sand tons = 16 × 100 lbs/ft³ ÷ 2000 = 0.80 tons
Materials ≈ (3.20 + 0.80) tons × $30–$50/ton
What the numbers mean
Volume is the footprint multiplied by the material depth. Cubic yards help compare supplier quotes; tons are the purchase unit for asphalt and gravel.
The asphalt calculator applies 145 lb per cubic foot. The gravel calculator applies 110 lb per cubic foot. Asphalt also adds the waste factor you select.
The material cost is a national planning range before delivery, labor, excavation, base preparation, tax, or other project-specific charges.
2026 material prices
| Material | 2026 average price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Crusher run / ¾-in minus base, per ton | $30.00 – $50.00 / ton | Bulk delivered |
| Concrete bedding sand, per ton | $30.00 – $50.00 / ton | Bulk delivered |
| Polymeric joint sand, 50-lb bag | $25.00 – $35.00 / 50-lb bag | ~1 bag per 100 sq ft of pavers |
Material prices: Wave 1 Batch 1 2026 national-average guide, Sep 2026. Local prices vary. 2026 U.S. national averages. Prices vary by region and retailer — confirm locally before buying.
Pro tips
- Compact the base in 2-in lifts with a plate compactor — dumping 4 in at once and compacting once leaves soft spots.
- Slope the base ¼ in per foot away from the house before the sand goes down; you cannot fix drainage after pavers are laid.
- Lay landscape fabric under the base on clay soil — it stops the gravel from migrating down into the mud.
- Screed the sand perfectly level and do not walk on it — every footprint becomes a low spot in the finished patio.
- A 16×12 patio needs 3.2 tons of base and 0.8 tons of sand — about one small dump-trailer load total.
- Budget polymeric sand for the joints too: roughly 1 fifty-lb bag per 100 sq ft.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much base gravel for a 16×12 patio at 4 inches?
192 sq ft × (4/12) = 64 cu ft = 2.4 cubic yards = 3.2 tons.
What gravel should I use for a paver base?
Crusher run (¾-in minus) — the fines lock together when compacted, unlike round drain rock.
How deep should a paver base be?
4 in for patios and walkways; 6–8 in for driveways carrying vehicles.
Sand or stone dust for the bedding layer?
1 in of coarse concrete sand — stone dust holds water and can stain pavers.
Do I need landscape fabric under the base?
Yes on clay or silty soil; it keeps the base from sinking into the subgrade.
How much polymeric sand for the joints?
About one 50-lb bag per 100 sq ft — 2 bags for a 16×12 patio.
Related calculators
Planning estimates only. Prices are 2026 U.S. national averages and vary by region — confirm with your local supplier before buying.