Paver base calculator
Patio math the ICPI way: a compacted crushed-stone base plus a 1-inch bedding sand layer. Enter your paver area and get both layers at once.
Result
Paver base materials
The standard paver sandwich
- Excavate deep enough for everything: base + 1 in sand + paver thickness (2⅜ in standard, 3⅛ in driveways), minus ~⅜ in final settling above grade.
- Geotextile on the subgrade (non-woven for patios).
- Crushed stone base — 4 in for foot-traffic patios, 6–8 in under driveways or in frost climates, compacted in 2–3 in lifts with a plate compactor.
- 1 inch of bedding sand screeded flat (not compacted) — pavers set on top, then compacted into the sand with a pad.
Formula (each layer)
yd³ = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 · tons ≈ yd³ × 1.35
Example — 16 × 12 ft patio (192 ft²): 6 in base = 96 ft³ = 3.56 yd³ ≈ 4.8 tons of crusher run; 1 in sand = 16 ft³ = 0.6 yd³ ≈ 0.8 tons (32 fifty-pound bags).
Base depth by use (ICPI guidance)
| Application | Base depth |
|---|---|
| Garden path / dry-laid walk | 4 in |
| Patio, good draining soil | 4–6 in |
| Patio in frost/heavy clay regions | 6–8 in |
| Paver driveway | 8–12 in |
Don't forget paver edge restraint (plastic or aluminum spikes) and polymeric sand for the joints — a patio without edging spreads at the edges no matter how good the base is.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need under pavers?
Area × base depth. For a 200 ft² patio at 6 in: 100 ft³ = 3.7 yd³ ≈ 5 tons of crusher run. Add 20–25% for compaction.
How many inches of sand under pavers?
Exactly 1 inch of screeded bedding sand (concrete sand). Thicker sand feels nice to lay but ruts and pumps under load — a top cause of wavy patios.
Can I lay pavers on just sand?
For a tiny path, maybe. Anything larger without a stone base will settle unevenly within a couple of winters, especially in freeze-thaw climates.
How many 50 lb bags of sand for a patio?
Each 0.5 ft³ bag screeds about 6 ft² at 1 inch. A 192 ft² patio needs ~32 bags; bulk (half-yard) is far cheaper above ~10 bags.
Play sand or concrete sand for pavers?
Concrete sand (sharp, angular). Play sand is round and rolls — it never locks, and joints keep opening.