Calculate paver base cubic yards and tons from patio dimensions, compacted base depth, compaction allowance, density and waste before ordering aggregate.
Enter your measurements and material details.
The entered depth should be the compacted design depth; loose material commonly requires additional volume before compaction.
A paver patio depends on the base below the pavers, and that base is normally specified as a compacted depth. Loose aggregate reduces in volume as it is compacted, so this calculator keeps compacted design volume separate from the extra purchase allowance needed for compaction.
Measure the base footprint, including any extension beyond the finished paver edge required by the installation design. Enter the compacted base thickness, not simply the excavation depth. Supplier density and local base specification should replace generic defaults where possible.
That depends on soil, load, climate and installation design; this calculator only converts the depth you specify into quantity.
Loose aggregate occupies more volume than the same material after compaction.
Multiply adjusted cubic yards by the supplier density in tons per cubic yard.
No. Use the paver sand calculator separately.
Many systems require edge support beyond the finished paver footprint; include that area if it applies to your design.
Using the example inputs shown in the calculator — Project length (ft) = 20, Project width (ft) = 15, Compacted base depth (in) = 6, Compaction allowance (%) = 15, Base density (tons/yd³) = 1.5 — the result is 6.71 cubic yards. This demonstrates the formula with a complete set of numbers rather than a hidden assumption.
The result breakdown also shows Compacted volume: 5.56 yd³; Approx. tons: 10.06 tons. Replace the example values with field measurements and the exact product coverage, yield or package size you plan to buy.
For this paver base calculator, the inputs with the greatest practical effect are project length, project width and compacted base depth. Recalculate when any of those change; do not reuse a result from a different room, run, layer depth or product specification.
These quick examples use the same calculator formula and the assumptions stated in each row. They are useful for scale checks; use your own measurements for ordering.
| Example | Calculated result |
|---|---|
| 100 sq ft patio with 4 in compacted base | 1.49 cubic yards |
| 200 sq ft patio with 6 in compacted base | 4.47 cubic yards |
| 400 sq ft area with 6 in compacted base | 8.94 cubic yards |
A useful paver base estimate begins with dimensions taken from the actual project. Small measurement errors can become significant when they are repeated across many boards, joints, courses, bags or rolls. Record the dimensions you used and keep net geometry separate from the purchase allowance so the result can be checked later.
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