Concrete vs Pavers vs Gravel Patio: Which to Choose
The three common patio surfaces suit different people. Concrete gives a smooth, continuous surface, pavers give a pattern you can repair stone by stone, and gravel is the quickest and most forgiving. To compare them fairly, the table below sizes all three for the same 12 × 12 ft (144 ft²) patio, using our concrete, paver and gravel calculators.
Part of the project planners: Planning a concrete patio, slab or driveway and Planning a paver patio or garden path.
What each patio needs to buy
| Concrete slab | Pavers | Gravel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main material | 1.96 yd³ of concrete (4 in thick), or 88 bags of 80 lb mix | 423 pavers | 2.7 tons of stone (4 in deep) |
| Base and bedding | Compacted gravel base under the slab (see the concrete guide) | 3.0 tons of base gravel and 0.6 tons of bedding sand | Fabric under the stone; a compacted base on soft ground |
| Edging | Forms while it sets | 48 linear ft of edge restraint | Edging to hold the stone in |
The quantities are for a 4 in slab, 6 × 9 in pavers on a 4 in base with 1 in of sand, and a 4 in gravel layer, all with the calculators' default waste allowance. Change any number in the calculators to match your plan.
How they compare in practice
- Skill and time: gravel is a weekend of digging and raking. Pavers take longer, because the base must be flat and every stone laid by hand. Concrete is quick to place but unforgiving: you have a limited working time once it is wet.
- Repairs: a paver can be lifted and re-laid and gravel can be topped up. A cracked slab has to be patched or replaced.
- Surface: concrete is the smoothest for furniture, wheelchairs and wheeled items. Gravel is loose underfoot, which some people dislike for chairs and tables. Pavers sit in between.
- Drainage: gravel and joints between pavers let water soak in. A concrete slab sheds water and needs a slight slope away from the house.
- Weeds: all three need a weed barrier or tight joints. Polymeric sand in paver joints helps keep weeds out (see the polymeric sand calculator).
Which should you choose?
Choose gravel for a quick, low-skill, informal space such as a fire-pit area. Choose pavers if you want a pattern, a repairable surface and are happy to put in the base work properly. Choose concrete if you want the smoothest, most continuous surface and are confident with the pour, or will have it delivered and finished by a pro.
When you decide, the full materials lists are in the guides to a paver patio and a concrete patio, and the paver base guide explains the part that matters most. For the whole job in order, see the concrete planner or the paver planner. Check frost depth, drainage and local rules before you dig.
Frequently asked questions
Which patio is easiest for a beginner?
Gravel is the simplest to install: excavate, lay fabric, spread and compact stone. Pavers are the next step up and mainly need patience and a flat, well-compacted base. Concrete is the least forgiving, because you have a limited time to place and finish it once it is mixed or delivered.
Which patio is easiest to repair?
Pavers, because a single stone can be lifted and re-laid. A cracked concrete slab has to be patched or replaced, and gravel just needs to be topped up and raked.
Do I need a base under every type of patio?
Yes. Concrete, pavers and gravel all perform better over a compacted crushed-stone base, and how deep it should be depends on your soil and climate. Follow your local guidance and the manufacturer's instructions.
Do I need a permit for a patio?
Often a ground-level patio does not need one, but rules differ by city and county, and some places have limits on hard surfaces. Ask your building department before you start.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.