Patio Base Calculator

Our free patio base calculator tells you exactly how much gravel base and sand bedding your paver patio needs. Pick your base depths, get cubic yards for both layers plus a combined cost estimate.

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Patio Base Calculator
Gravel base and sand for patio installation
Patio Dimensions
ft
ft
Your Local Price (optional)
$
$
Leave the price blank to see our USD estimate. For any other currency, enter your local supplier price to get the cost.
📐 Your Results
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Cu Yds Gravel
Base layer
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Cu Yds Sand
Bedding layer
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Square Feet
Project area
Estimated Cost
Gravel + sand material cost
$—
💡 Always order 10–15% extra for waste and settling.
4–6 in
compacted gravel base for patios
1 in
bedding sand layer
2-in lifts
compact gravel in layers
+10–15%
extra — order for compaction

👤 Who is this for: DIY patio builders, landscapers & outdoor living DIYers.

How to use

  1. Enter your patio length and width in feet.
  2. Choose gravel base depth (4, 6, or 8 inches) and sand layer depth (1 or 2 inches).
  3. Hit Calculate Patio Base.

Patio base formula

Each layer: cubic yards = (Area × Depth in feet) ÷ 27.

Example: a 12 × 10 ft patio with 6 inches of gravel and 1 inch of sand → gravel: (120 × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 2.22 cubic yards; sand: (120 × 0.083) ÷ 27 = 0.37 cubic yards.

How deep should a patio base be?

UseRecommended base
Light foot traffic4 in gravel + 1 in sand
Standard patio6 in gravel + 1 in sand
Heavy use / vehicles8 in gravel + 1 in sand

📝 Real Project Example

16×12 ft patio, 6-inch gravel base + 1-inch sand:

  • Area: 192 sq ft
  • Gravel: 192 × 0.5 = 96 cu ft = 3.56 → order 4 cubic yards
  • Sand: 192 × 0.083 = 16 cu ft = 0.59 → order 0.75 cubic yards
  • Weight: 3.56 × 1.4 = ~5 tons of gravel — one dump-truck load

Compact the gravel in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor — a base compacted all at once is only dense on top.

Tips

  • Compact the gravel in 2-inch layers with a plate compactor.
  • Lay landscape fabric under the base to block weeds.
  • Slope the patio 1 inch per 8 feet away from the house for drainage.

📚 Sources & Methodology

How we calculate. Each layer: cubic yards = (area × depth in feet) ÷ 27. Gravel tons = cubic yards × 1.4. We recommend 4–6 inches of compacted gravel for patios (8+ for driveways) plus 1 inch of bedding sand, with 10–15% extra for compaction.

Cross-checked. Our base-depth guidance matches professional paver installation references; crushed angular stone compacts far better than rounded pea gravel.

Sources:

Last updated: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How deep should a patio base be?
6 inches of compacted gravel plus 1 inch of sand is the standard for most paver patios. Use 4 inches for light foot traffic and 8 inches where vehicles will drive.
Can I use sand alone under pavers?
No — sand alone shifts and settles. Pavers need a compacted gravel base for strength, with just a thin 1-inch sand bedding layer on top.
How much gravel do I need under pavers?
Multiply your patio area by the base depth. A 120 sq ft patio with a 6-inch base needs about 2.2 cubic yards of gravel.
Do I need landscape fabric under a patio?
Yes, it is cheap insurance — fabric stops weeds growing up between pavers and keeps the gravel from sinking into the soil.

Related calculators: Paver Calculator, Gravel Calculator, Sand Calculator