200 ft2 area
- Base tons
- 4.0740740741 tons
- Base cubic feet
- 73.3333333333 ft3
- Bedding sand
- 0.6790123457 yd3
Base depth, compaction, soil, drainage, traffic load, edge restraints, and local practice can change the right base design.
Paver Base Calculator
Use this free paver base calculator to estimate compacted gravel base volume, approximate base tons, and bedding sand volume from paver area and layer depths.
Inputs explainedResult checksExample valuesRuns in your browser
Formula steps
- Multiply area by base depth to get base volume.
- Add waste and convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards by tons per cubic yard for base weight.
Examples
Recent answers
Recent paver base estimates will appear here.
Paver base estimates stay local and are planning math, not drainage or soil engineering advice.
Inputs and recent answers stay in this browser tab and are not sent to a server.
How to use the Paver Base Calculator
- Enter paver area, base depth, bedding depth, waste percent, and base density.
- Press Estimate base to see base cubic yards, base tons, and bedding sand volume.
- Use compacted layer depth when you know it because loose material can settle.
- Drainage, soil, freeze-thaw, traffic load, compaction, and edge restraints still need project review.
What people use it for
Estimate base gravel for a patio or walkway.
Convert base volume into approximate tons.
Estimate bedding sand volume separately.
Add waste for compaction and uneven ground.
Quick examples
Patio base
200 ft2, 4 in base, 1 in bedding, 10% waste, 1.5 tons/yd32.716 yd3 base, 4.07 tons, 0.679 yd3 bedding sand
Walkway
80 ft2, 4 in base, 1 in bedding, 10% waste, 1.5 tons/yd31.086 yd3 base, 1.63 tons, 0.272 yd3 bedding sand
Driveway base
420 ft2, 6 in base, 1 in bedding, 12% waste, 1.6 tons/yd38.711 yd3 base, 13.94 tons, 1.452 yd3 bedding sand
Need the guide or a nearby tool?
Need a slower walkthrough, a related calculator, or the full library? These links keep you close to the task you started.
- How to use the Paver Base CalculatorSee slower examples, input meanings, formula notes, result limits, and mistakes to avoid.
- Home & ProjectsBrowse related calculators and utilities in the same category.
- Home Material Calculator HubCompare this with the nearby tools and checks in the same job path.
- Calculator and utility guidesFind more guides that use real tool inputs and example numbers.
- All free toolsSearch every live tool, converter, calculator, AI helper, and browser utility.
Frequently asked questions
Plain-language answers about when to use the tool, what it does with your inputs, what to double-check, and how privacy works.
When should I use the Paver Base Calculator?
Use it when your task matches one of these common needs: Estimate base gravel for a patio or walkway. Convert base volume into approximate tons. It works best when you already know the measurements, amounts, units, or options the page asks for.
What is the Paver Base Calculator doing with my inputs?
In plain language: The calculator multiplies paver area by base depth and bedding depth, adds waste, converts cubic feet to cubic yards, and estimates base tons from tons per cubic yard. The examples on the page are there so you can compare your inputs with a worked example before copying the answer.
What do the main Paver Base Calculator inputs mean?
Base depth: the compacted gravel layer below the pavers. Bedding depth: the leveling sand layer directly under the pavers. Tons per cubic yard: a rough density for converting gravel volume to weight. Waste percent: extra material for compaction, uneven grade, edge loss, and small measurement differences.
What should I double-check before trusting the answer?
Real paver base design depends on soil, drainage, compaction, freeze-thaw, traffic load, slope, edging, and local installation practice. Also check the unit, scale, mode, and result limit because small input changes can change the answer.
Is paver base depth the loose depth or compacted depth?
Use the compacted depth you want to end with. Loose gravel can settle after compaction, so a real project may need more loose material than the compacted volume suggests.
Why does the calculator separate base and bedding sand?
The gravel base supports the pavers, while the bedding sand helps level them. They are different layers, so it is easier to estimate them separately before ordering.
How should I read the Paver Base Calculator answer?
Read base cubic yards first because that is the main volume to order, then check base tons for weight and delivery planning. Bedding sand is a separate layer, so do not add it to the gravel base total.
Should I round the cubic yards or tons up?
Usually yes for ordering. Supplier minimums, truck capacity, compaction, grading cleanup, and small measurement errors can make an exact decimal too tight, so compare the calculator result with the supplier package or delivery sizes.
Does this replace a paver installation plan?
No. It estimates material quantities only. Soil type, drainage, slope, edge restraints, compaction method, freeze-thaw exposure, and vehicle traffic can change the required base design.
Does the site save what I enter?
No. The calculator runs in your browser tab. Your recent answers stay only on the page while you use it, and they are not sent to a server.