Calculated result
1.7yd³
Base gravel order
Formula
LND-PBS-001area × thickness ÷ 27 × (1 + waste) for base and for sand
0.5 yd³
Bedding sand order
120 ft²
Patio area
2.38 tons
Base weight
Landscaping calculator
Paver base calculator
a 12 × 10 ft patio with 4 in of crushed stone and 1 in of bedding sand, 10% waste, rounds to 1.7 yd³ of base and 0.5 yd³ of sand. In metric, patio area is 11.15 m².
Formula. area × thickness ÷ 27 × (1 + waste) for base and for sand
Crushed-stone base and bedding-sand volumes under a patio from area, base thickness and sand thickness.
By Feroz Sheikh · Formula LND-PBS-001 v1.0.0 · Tested formula
Formula
LND-PBS-001v1.0.0Project inputs
Enter your measurements. Switching units converts the same project, including coverage and unit rates. Package yields keep the unit printed beside each field.
Refine measurements and rates at any time. Your current values are included in the material-list PDF.
Planning estimate, not engineering advice. Confirm site measurements and product specifications. Calculation limits.
Treat the patio as a rectangle, convert base thickness and bedding-sand thickness to volume, apply a visible compaction allowance, then round each bulk order to the next 0.1 yd³.
- Measure the finished paved area, including any soldier-course overhang.
- Enter the compacted base thickness from the setting-bed spec, not the excavation depth unless they match.
- Keep edge restraint, geotextile and the pavers themselves on their own estimate lines.
Add your project costs
Enter supplier prices and any labour, equipment or delivery costs. Pick a currency — badges, inputs, and totals follow.
Costs use the bulk-yard, bag or truck-load rate you type. Construclytic does not fetch quarry or nursery prices. Delivery, fabric and edging stay separate lines.
How this calculator works
A transparent paver base takeoff.
Feroz SheikhWritten and reviewed by Feroz Sheikh · founder
Treat the patio as a rectangle, convert base thickness and bedding-sand thickness to volume, apply a visible compaction allowance, then round each bulk order to the next 0.1 yd³.
LND-PBS-001 splits crushed-stone base and bedding sand from patio area, base thickness and sand depth. Polymeric sand and the pavers themselves stay extras. Density is editable.
Worked example. Example: a 12 × 10 ft patio with 4 in of crushed stone and 1 in of bedding sand, 10% waste, rounds to 1.7 yd³ of base and 0.5 yd³ of sand.
See the example inputs and calculated result
This separate example uses the calculator's starting values in imperial units. It stays unchanged when you edit the tool above. Example rates, yields and dimensions are assumptions, not recommendations for your project.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Patio length | 12 ft |
| Patio width | 10 ft |
| Base thickness | 4 in |
| Bedding sand | 1 in |
| Base density | 1.4 US tons / yd³ |
| Waste factor | 10 % |
Example result: Base gravel order — 1.7 yd³.
area × thickness ÷ 27 × (1 + waste) for base and for sand
Use the labelled units above when reproducing this example. To work in metric, switch the calculator to Metric; applicable measurements are converted, while product-specific units remain labelled.
- 1. Measure the finished paved area, including any soldier-course overhang.
- 2. Enter the compacted base thickness from the setting-bed spec, not the excavation depth unless they match.
- 3. Keep edge restraint, geotextile and the pavers themselves on their own estimate lines.
Field notes that change the number
- Base thickness is compacted. Bedding sand is a separate, thinner lift.
- Flares and steps are extra rectangles.
- Fabric is a companion tool.
Common mistakes
- Using paver face count as base tons.
- Mixing bedding sand into the base lift.
- Treating this as a pavement section stamp.
Need the broader workflow? Read the landscaping planning guide.
How-to: How many pavers for a 10×10 or 12×12 patio? · How to order a gravel driveway · How to count patio pavers
Questions
Questions about paver base
Is 4 in of base enough?
It is a common patio planning figure on a prepared subgrade, not a driveway or poor-soil spec. Confirm the setting-bed design.
Does this include the pavers?
No. Use the paver calculator for the units and polymeric sand for the joints.
What is the formula ID?
This paver base calculator publishes formula LND-PBS-001, version 1.0.0. The ID stays on the result and on the estimate line.