PAVER BASE + SAND
About this calculator
This paver base calculator returns the gravel base, sand bedding, and polymeric joint sand needed for a paver patio, walkway, or driveway. The base layer is compacted crushed stone (commonly Class 5 or 3/4-inch minus) at 4 inches for foot-traffic patios, 6-8 inches for walkways with light vehicle use, and 8-12 inches for full driveways. The bedding layer is 1 inch of clean concrete sand or stone dust under the pavers themselves. Joint sand fills the gaps between pavers — polymeric joint sand sets up like mortar after wetting and resists weeds, ant colonization, and washout.
How to use this calculator
Enter the patio area in square feet (length × width). Pick the project type — patios and walkways need 4 inches of compacted gravel base; driveways need 8 inches; heavy driveways (RVs, work trucks) need 12 inches. The 1-inch sand bedding layer is the same regardless of project type.
Indicate whether you want polymeric joint sand (the kind that sets up like mortar after watering) or plain sand. Polymeric prevents weeds and ant colonization between pavers; plain sand is cheaper but washes out within a year. The calculator returns the cubic yards of base gravel and bedding sand needed plus the bag count of polymeric joint sand.
Worked example
For a 120 ft² patio with 4-inch base, 1-inch bedding sand, polymeric joint sand:
Gravel base: (120 × 4) ÷ 324 = 1.48 yd³. Sand bedding: (120 × 1) ÷ 324 = 0.37 yd³. Total: 1.85 yd³.
Polymeric joint sand: ⌈120 ÷ 75⌉ = 2 × 50-lb bags.
At $30–$50 per yard of base gravel and $40–$60 per yard of bedding sand: 1.48 yd³ × $40 + 0.37 yd³ × $50 = $79 in bulk materials. Polymeric joint sand at ~$30 per bag: $60. Total base + sand materials: ~$140 for this patio.
For a 400 ft² driveway with 8-inch base: gravel = 9.9 yd³, sand = 1.2 yd³, joint sand = 6 bags. At $40/yd³: $440 in gravel alone.
Common mistakes & waste factors
Skipping the compaction step. Loose gravel base settles 15–25% the first year. Compact in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor (rentable for ~$70/day).
Using too much sand bedding. The bedding layer should be exactly 1 inch — anything thicker creates a cushion that allows pavers to shift. Screed it flat with a 2x4 ridden along pipe screeds.
Buying plain mason sand for joints. Polymeric joint sand costs 2–3× more per bag but lasts 5–7 years. Plain sand washes out in the first heavy rain.
Forgetting edge restraint. Even with perfect base and sand, pavers walk outward over time without metal or plastic edge restraint around the perimeter.
Rules of thumb
Base depth: patio 4", walkway 4", driveway 8", heavy driveway 12". Always compacted ¾-inch crushed stone (Class 5).
Sand bedding: exactly 1 inch of clean concrete sand or stone dust. Screed flat before laying pavers.
Polymeric joint sand coverage: 1 × 50-lb bag covers ~75 ft² for typical paver joints.
Edge restraint: required around the perimeter or pavers walk outward.
Compact in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor; loose gravel settles dramatically.
Common questions
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