Free Landscape Calculator
Patio Base Calculator
Our free patio base calculator tells you exactly how much gravel base and sand bedding your paver patio needs. Pick your base depths, get cubic yards for both layers plus a combined cost estimate.
👤 Who is this for: DIY patio builders, landscapers & outdoor living DIYers.
How to use
- Enter your patio length and width in feet.
- Choose gravel base depth (4, 6, or 8 inches) and sand layer depth (1 or 2 inches).
- Hit Calculate Patio Base.
Patio base formula
Each layer: cubic yards = (Area × Depth in feet) ÷ 27.
Example: a 12 × 10 ft patio with 6 inches of gravel and 1 inch of sand → gravel: (120 × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 2.22 cubic yards; sand: (120 × 0.083) ÷ 27 = 0.37 cubic yards.
How deep should a patio base be?
| Use | Recommended base |
|---|---|
| Light foot traffic | 4 in gravel + 1 in sand |
| Standard patio | 6 in gravel + 1 in sand |
| Heavy use / vehicles | 8 in gravel + 1 in sand |
📝 Real Project Example
16×12 ft patio, 6-inch gravel base + 1-inch sand:
- Area: 192 sq ft
- Gravel: 192 × 0.5 = 96 cu ft = 3.56 → order 4 cubic yards
- Sand: 192 × 0.083 = 16 cu ft = 0.59 → order 0.75 cubic yards
- Weight: 3.56 × 1.4 = ~5 tons of gravel — one dump-truck load
Compact the gravel in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor — a base compacted all at once is only dense on top.
Tips
- Compact the gravel in 2-inch layers with a plate compactor.
- Lay landscape fabric under the base to block weeds.
- Slope the patio 1 inch per 8 feet away from the house for drainage.
📚 Sources & Methodology
How we calculate. Each layer: cubic yards = (area × depth in feet) ÷ 27. Gravel tons = cubic yards × 1.4. We recommend 4–6 inches of compacted gravel for patios (8+ for driveways) plus 1 inch of bedding sand, with 10–15% extra for compaction.
Cross-checked. Our base-depth guidance matches professional paver installation references; crushed angular stone compacts far better than rounded pea gravel.
Sources:
- Family Handyman — How to Install a Paver Patio Base (4–6 in compacted base for patios)
- Ergeon — Gravel Calculator (gravel density 1.28–1.42 tons per cubic yard)
Last updated: October 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Related calculators: Paver Calculator, Gravel Calculator, Sand Calculator