A paver patio can transform a backyard into a beautiful and functional outdoor living space. The key to a long-lasting, professional-looking patio lies not in the pavers themselves, but in the foundation built beneath them. Accurately calculating the materials for this multi-layered base is the most critical part of the planning process. Our Paver Patio Calculator is an all-in-one tool designed to help you estimate everything you need: the number of pavers for the surface, the volume of gravel for the base, and the volume of sand for the setting bed. This ensures you can confidently budget and purchase the right amount of every material for a successful project.
How to Use the Paver Patio Calculator
Estimating all your patio materials is a simple process:
- Select Units: Choose your preferred measurement system, either imperial (feet/inches) or metric (meters/cm).
- Enter Patio Dimensions: Input the length and width of your planned patio area.
- Enter Material Dimensions: Provide the length and width of a single paver, and your desired depth for the gravel base and sand layer.
- Set Wastage Factor: Specify the percentage of extra pavers you want to order for cuts and mistakes (10% is standard).
- Calculate Materials: Click the "Calculate Materials" button to see a complete estimate for your pavers, gravel, and sand.
The Layers of a Paver Patio: Building a Solid Foundation
A durable paver patio is like a layer cake. Each layer serves a specific purpose, working together to create a stable, level surface that can withstand weather and foot traffic for decades.
1. The Subgrade
This is the native soil at the bottom of your excavated area. It must be compacted firmly to create a solid starting point.
2. The Gravel Base
This is the most critical structural layer. It consists of compacted crushed stone or paver base aggregate. Its main jobs are to provide drainage and to distribute the load from the surface, preventing the patio from heaving or sinking. For a standard patio that will see only foot traffic, a compacted base of 4 to 6 inches is recommended. For a driveway that needs to support vehicles, this should be increased to 10-12 inches. Our calculator helps you find the total volume of this material you'll need.
3. The Sand Setting Bed
On top of the compacted gravel base, a thin layer of coarse sand is spread and screeded perfectly level. This layer, typically 1 inch thick, provides a smooth, even bed in which to set the pavers. It allows for minor height adjustments to get each paver perfectly level with its neighbors.
4. The Pavers
These are the decorative, interlocking concrete or stone units that form the visible surface of your patio.
5. Jointing Sand
After all the pavers are laid, a special type of sand, called polymeric sand, is swept into the joints between them. When lightly misted with water, this sand hardens and locks all the pavers together, preventing them from shifting and inhibiting weed growth.
Calculation and Ordering Tips
- Volume Calculation: This calculator finds the volume of your base and sand layers by multiplying the patio's area by the desired depth of the material. It provides the result in cubic yards or cubic meters, which is how bulk materials like gravel and sand are sold.
- Wastage Factor for Pavers: You must always buy more pavers than your exact square footage requires. A 10% waste factor is standard to account for the pavers you will need to cut along the edges of the patio. For complex patterns like herringbone or for curved patios, a 15-20% waste factor is safer.
- Buying in Bulk: For all but the smallest patios, it is far more cost-effective to have your gravel and sand delivered in bulk from a landscape supply yard rather than buying it in individual bags from a hardware store.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep do I need to excavate for my patio?
You need to excavate deep enough to accommodate all your layers. The total excavation depth will be: [Depth of Gravel Base] + [Depth of Sand Layer] + [Thickness of Paver]. For a typical patio with a 4-inch base, 1-inch sand layer, and 2 3/8-inch pavers, you would need to excavate about 7.5 inches.
What kind of gravel should I use for the base?
You should use a crushed stone aggregate that contains a mix of different sized stones, from about 3/4-inch down to fine stone dust. This mixture allows for excellent compaction into a dense, stable base. It's often sold as "paver base," "crusher run," or "road base." Do not use round pea gravel, as it will not compact.
Does this calculator include the sand for the joints?
No, this calculator estimates the material for the setting bed only. The amount of polymeric sand needed for the joints is relatively small. One bag typically covers a large area (e.g., 50-100 square feet), but you should check the product's packaging for its specific coverage rate.