How Much Paver Base Do I Need? Tons, Yards and Bags Chart
For a patio, order a 4 inch compacted layer of crushed-stone paver base plus 20% for compaction. A 12 × 12 ft patio needs about 3.0 tons (2.1 cubic yards), or about 116 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. Use 6 inches in frost areas or on soft soil. The paver calculator gives the base, the sand and the pavers for any shape.
Part of the project planner: Planning a paver patio or garden path.
Paver base by patio size
Tons and cubic yards of crushed stone to order, with 20% for compaction, and the same amount in 0.5 cubic foot (50 lb) bags:
| Patio | 4 in base | Bags (4 in) | 6 in base | Bags (6 in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 ft²) | 2.1 t / 1.5 yd³ | 80 | 3.1 t / 2.2 yd³ | 120 |
| 10 × 12 ft (120 ft²) | 2.5 t / 1.8 yd³ | 96 | 3.7 t / 2.7 yd³ | 144 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 ft²) | 3.0 t / 2.1 yd³ | 116 | 4.5 t / 3.2 yd³ | 173 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 ft²) | 4.0 t / 2.8 yd³ | 154 | 6.0 t / 4.3 yd³ | 231 |
| 16 × 16 ft (256 ft²) | 5.3 t / 3.8 yd³ | 205 | 8.0 t / 5.7 yd³ | 308 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 ft²) | 6.6 t / 4.7 yd³ | 256 | 10.0 t / 7.1 yd³ | 384 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 ft²) | 8.3 t / 5.9 yd³ | 320 | 12.4 t / 8.9 yd³ | 480 |
| 20 × 24 ft (480 ft²) | 10.0 t / 7.1 yd³ | 384 | 14.9 t / 10.7 yd³ | 576 |
Bulk crushed stone from a landscape supplier is sold by the ton or the yard; above about a ton, delivery is usually cheaper and much less work than bags. See how many tons are in a yard of gravel if your supplier quotes the other unit.
How deep should the base be?
For each 100 square feet (a 10 × 10 ft area):
| Compacted depth | Use it for | Order | Weight | Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 in | Walkways and patios on firm, well-drained soil | 1.48 yd³ | 2.07 tons | 80 |
| 6 in | Patios in frost areas, clay or soft soil | 2.22 yd³ | 3.11 tons | 120 |
| 8 in | Driveways and areas with vehicles | 2.96 yd³ | 4.15 tons | 160 |
| 12 in | Driveways and areas with vehicles | 4.44 yd³ | 6.22 tons | 240 |
Lay and compact the base in layers of about 4 inches with a plate compactor. The full method, from digging to sweeping in the joint sand, is in building a paver patio base.
Bedding sand on top
A 1 inch screeded layer of coarse concrete sand goes over the compacted base (it is not compacted before the pavers go down):
| Patio | Sand | Weight | Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.31 yd³ | 0.42 tons | 17 |
| 10 × 12 ft | 0.37 yd³ | 0.50 tons | 20 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 0.44 yd³ | 0.60 tons | 24 |
| 12 × 16 ft | 0.59 yd³ | 0.80 tons | 32 |
| 16 × 16 ft | 0.79 yd³ | 1.07 tons | 43 |
Choosing the base material
- Crushed stone with fines (crusher run, road base, dense grade aggregate, 3/4 inch minus): the standard paver base. The angular pieces and dust lock together when compacted.
- Bagged paver base: the same idea in small bags, handy for a path or a repair.
- Not suitable: pea gravel and other round stone (it rolls), plain sand or stone dust as the whole base (it holds water and shifts), and topsoil.
- Geotextile fabric under the base on clay or soft ground stops the stone sinking into the soil.
The paver patio materials calculator adds the edging, spikes and fabric to the list, and the paver patio materials list walks through a full order. Call 811 before you dig.
Frequently asked questions
How much paver base do I need for a 10x10 patio?
With a 4 inch compacted base, about 2.1 tons or 1.5 cubic yards, which is about 80 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. That includes 20% extra for compaction.
How many bags of paver base for a 12x12 patio?
About 116 bags of 0.5 cubic feet for a 4 inch base, or 173 for a 6 inch base. At that size a bulk delivery of 3.0 tons is usually easier.
How deep should paver base be?
4 inches of compacted base for patios and walkways on firm soil, 6 inches in frost areas or on clay, and 8 to 12 inches under driveways. Add 1 inch of bedding sand on top.
How much does paver base compact?
Loose crushed stone packs down by roughly a fifth, so order about 20% more than the finished depth. The figures on this page already include it.
How much area does a bag of paver base cover?
A 0.5 cubic foot bag covers 1.5 square feet at 4 inches deep before compaction, or about 1.25 square feet once you allow 20% for compaction. That is why bags only suit small jobs.
What is paver base made of?
Crushed angular stone with fines, often sold as crusher run, road base or dense grade aggregate. The fines help it lock together when compacted. Do not use round pea gravel or plain sand as a base.
More guides
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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.
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