Paver Base Calculator
Enter your patio or path and the base depth to see how many cubic yards, tons or bags of paver base to order.
Typical depths for paver base
| Job | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Patio or walkway | 4–6 in |
| Driveway or anything cars drive on | 8–12 in |
| Sand bedding layer on top of the base | 1 in (work it out with the sand calculator) |
Typical ranges, not specifications. Follow your project's plans or local requirements where they apply.
How much does a cubic yard of paver base cover?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Spread it 1 inch deep and it covers 324 square feet. Every extra inch of depth cuts the coverage proportionally. A cubic yard of paver base weighs about 1.4 tons.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
How the paver base calculator works
Area = length × width (circle: π × radius²; triangle: base × height ÷ 2)
Cubic feet = area × (depth in inches ÷ 12)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard ÷ 2,000
Worked example: a 12 × 16 ft patio, 4 in deep
Area: 12 × 16 = 192 sq ft. Volume: 192 × (4 ÷ 12) = 64 cubic feet. Cubic yards: 64 ÷ 27 = 2.37 cubic yards, which weighs about 3.32 tons at 2,800 lb per cubic yard.
Adding 10% for settling brings it to 2.61 cubic yards, about 3.65 tons. Paver base is usually sold by the ton, the cubic yard or by the bag.
Tips before you order
- Paver base packs down when you tamp it, so keep the extra for settling. Raise it if your installer suggests more.
- Lay and compact the base in layers of about 2 inches rather than all at once.
- The base and the sand bedding are separate products. Work out each one on its own.
Questions people ask
How much does a cubic yard of paver base weigh?
About 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) is a typical figure. Most paver base weighs 2,600–3,000 lb per cubic yard, depending on the material and how wet it is. Your supplier can tell you the weight of theirs.
How many square feet does a yard of paver base cover?
One cubic yard covers 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 108 sq ft at 3 inches and 81 sq ft at 4 inches. The rule: 324 ÷ depth in inches.
How do I convert cubic yards of paver base to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the weight per cubic yard and divide by 2,000. At 2,800 lb per yard, that's cubic yards × 1.4.
How many 0.5 cu ft bags of paver base are in a cubic yard?
About 54 0.5 cu ft bags make one cubic yard (by volume).
How much paver base do I need for a 12 × 16 ft patio, 4 in deep?
About 2.37 cubic yards (about 3.32 tons), or 2.61 cubic yards with 10% extra for settling.