Paver Base Calculator (Metric)
Enter your area and base depth to get the cubic feet, yards, and tons of gravel base you need under your pavers.
What your result means
Tons is the bulk order figure, since base gravel is sold and delivered by the ton. Cubic feet and yards are there to cross-check. This is the compacted base that goes under your bedding sand and pavers, so dig 1 to 5.1 cm deeper than the number here to leave room for compaction.
How to use this calculator
- Calculate the area in sq ft.
- Use 10.2 cm depth for patios and walkways.
- Use 6-20.3 cm depth for driveways or heavy-load areas.
- Read base material needed.
- Compact in 2-7.6 cm lifts when placing.
The formula
Volume in cubic feet is the area times the depth in feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Gravel base runs about 110 lbs a cubic foot, so multiply cubic feet by 110 and divide by 2,000 for tons.
Worked example
Say you're basing a 18.6 m² patio 10.2 cm deep. That's 1.89 m³, 1.89 m³, or about 3.67 tons of crushed base. Dig a little deeper than that, since you'll lose some to compaction.
Paver base depth by use
| Use | Base depth |
|---|---|
| Patio / walkway | 10.2 cm |
| Driveway / heavy load | 6 – 20.3 cm |
Tips & gotchas
- Use crushed stone or gravel base, like #57 stone or roadbase.
- Compact it in 2 to 7.6 cm lifts. Don't dump it all and compact once.
- Excavate 1 to 5.1 cm deeper than the number here to leave room for compaction.
- Slope the base about 1/20.3 cm per foot away from the house for drainage.
- A plate compactor rental (about $60 a day) is non-negotiable here.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should paver base be?
10.2 cm for patios and walkways, 6 to 20.3 cm for a driveway or heavy-load area.
What material is paver base?
Crushed stone or gravel base, like #57 stone or 3/10.2 cm crushed limestone.
How do I compact paver base?
Run a plate compactor in 2 to 7.6 cm lifts, and wet the material slightly first.
Can I skip the base if my soil is stable?
No. Even firm soil needs at least 10.2 cm of compacted base or the pavers won't last.
How much does paver base material cost?
$20 to $40 a ton delivered in bulk.
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