Paver Base Calculator
Compacted base yardage for paver or stone patios
What is paver base calculator?
A paver base calculator estimates the crushed-stone base layer that sits below the bedding sand and pavers. The volume math is straightforward — area times depth — but compaction loss makes paver base unique among bulk-material orders: you must order more than the geometric volume to land on the correct finished depth.
The default density is 135 lb/ft³, which is typical for compacted graded aggregate base (3/4-inch crushed stone with fines, sometimes called processed gravel, road base, or crusher run). Loose-dumped, the same material runs 100-110 lb/ft³; the higher density here reflects properly compacted state at the right moisture content. Quarry sources vary 10-15%, so always confirm with your supplier on big jobs.
What depth? 4 inches of compacted base is the residential standard for patios and walkways. 6 inches for driveways and any area that will see vehicle traffic. The depth is the finished, compacted depth — the calculator outputs the compacted volume, but you should order more than that to account for compaction loss. Bump the waste factor to 25% specifically for paver base to land on the right order.
Compact in 2-3 inch lifts. This is the most-skipped step of every DIY paver project, and the cause of most paver-patio failures within the first year. A plate compactor only consolidates the top 2-3 inches per pass; dump 6 inches at once and tamp, and the bottom 3 inches remains loose under the surface. Voids form, pavers settle unevenly, and the patio looks bad within a season. Spread 2-3 inches loose, compact two or three passes, then spread the next lift and repeat. It’s slower and feels redundant — but it’s the difference between a 1-year and a 20-year patio.
What material to order. Ask for “paver base,” “road base,” or “crusher run” — 3/4-inch crushed stone with fines. Pure clean #57 doesn’t compact properly because the fines that lock everything together aren’t there. Play sand or rounded gravel is wrong for the base layer. Material costs typically run $30-45 per ton delivered in 2026, with delivery charged separately.
The 10% waste factor default doesn’t fully cover compaction loss; bump it to 25% specifically for paver base. So a 4-inch finished base in a 200 ft² patio is ~2.6 cu yd at compacted state, but you’ll want to order ~3.0-3.2 cu yd loose to land on that finish after tamping in lifts.
When to use a paver base calculator
- Patio base under pavers — 4 inches of compacted base under a residential patio. The calculator handles the conversion from finished depth to ordered loose volume.
- Driveway pavers — 6 inches of compacted base under driveway pavers. Compaction loss is significant — order generously and tamp in 2-3 inch lifts.
- Walkway base — 4 inches of base under paver walkways. Even narrow runs need the full base depth for stability.
How to use the Paver Base Calculator
- Measure the area — Multiply patio length by width, or walkway length by width. Add 6 inches around the perimeter for the base footprint — pavers need a stable base wider than the paver edge.
- Pick finished depth — 4 inches of compacted base for residential patios and walkways. 6 inches for driveways and high-traffic areas. Compact in 2-3 inch lifts; one big dump and a single tamper pass leaves voids.
- Order more than geometric volume — Compacted aggregate base loses 20-25% of loose volume under proper compaction. The calculator's default 10% waste factor doesn't fully cover this — bump to 25% for paver base specifically.
- Read the tonnage — Bulk paver base (typically 3/4-inch crushed stone with fines, or processed road base) is sold by the ton (~$30-45/ton in 2026). Output shows tons at the default density.
Worked examples
12 ft x 16 ft patio at 4 in compacted
Input: 12 ft x 16 ft x 4 in depth
Output: 2.61 cu yd / 4.42 tons (with 10% waste)Walkway, 3 ft x 30 ft at 4 in
Input: 3 ft x 30 ft x 4 in depth
Output: 1.22 cu yd / 2.07 tonsOrder ~25% over geometric volume; base loses that much under proper compaction.
Driveway pavers, 12 ft x 30 ft at 6 in
Input: 12 ft x 30 ft x 6 in depth
Output: 7.33 cu yd / 12.4 tons