Enter length, width, and base depth to calculate base material volume, weight, and cost.
How to Use the Paver Base Calculator
Enter the patio or path's length and width, set the compacted base depth in inches, and adjust density and price per ton to match your material and supplier.
cubic feet = length (ft) × width (ft) × (depth (in) ÷ 12)
weight = cubic feet × density (lb/ft³)Base material — crushed stone or road base, spread and mechanically compacted rather than just poured — packs tighter than the same material sitting loose in a pile, which is why the default density here (110 lb/ft³) runs higher than the Gravel Calculator's loose-material default. Skipping compaction, or under-ordering because a loose-density number was used instead, is a common reason paver patios settle unevenly within a year or two.
How Deep Should the Base Actually Be?
A patio or walkway on stable, well-drained soil generally needs 4-6 in of compacted base; a driveway carrying vehicle weight typically wants 6-8 in or more, and expansive clay soils or freeze-thaw climates push that higher still. Local frost depth and soil type matter more here than any single rule of thumb, so check regional guidance before finalizing a number.