Paver base calculator for West Virginia
The hidden layer beneath the pavers helps the patio stay level over five years. Calculate it in tons at compacted depth.
Enter your project dimensions
The stone below pavers costs several times less per square foot than the pavers themselves, yet failures usually start in that lower layer. Patio problems we hear about commonly trace back to what sits beneath the pavers. Use this calculator to size compacted crusher run or a comparable blend at 1.5 tons per cubic yard: 4 inches for foot traffic and 6-8 under vehicles. The +10% compaction allowance is already selected. Bedding sand stays separate in a strict 1-inch layer and has its own calculator.
Plan the base
- Find the paved area in feet, then extend the base 6 inches beyond each unclosed paver edge. This gives the edge restraint a supported foundation.
- Use 4 inches of compacted material for patios and walkways, 6 for driveways or clay soil, and 8 under driveways with soft ground.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 for yards, multiply by 1.5 for tons, then keep the +10% allowance on.
Excavation depth = base + 1" bedding + paver thickness − reveal
Project depth and coverage
| Project | Compacted base depth | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway or garden path | 4 inches | ≈ 54 sq ft |
| Patio or seating area | 4-6 inches | ≈ 43 sq ft |
| Driveway with cars | 6-8 inches | ≈ 31 sq ft |
| Clay or soft subgrade | add 2 inches + fabric | n/a |
Layers from turf to the finished paver
Figure excavation by adding every layer. A common patio has 4 inches of base, 1 inch of bedding sand, and a 2 3/8 inch paver flush with the lawn. That equals a 7.5-inch excavation, adjusted for the reveal above grade. Put that depth on a stake and use it while digging. Going too deep means paying to remove soil, with the Dirt Calculator run backward showing the yards leaving the hole, then buying stone to restore the grade.
Base installation steps
- Compact the base in 2-inch lifts using a plate compactor, and mist each lift. Slightly damp material compacts tighter than dry material.
- Grade the finished base at a 2-3% fall away from the house. The bedding sand and pavers will follow that grade.
- Install edge restraint over compacted base rather than lawn soil. The 6-inch extension provides its support.
- For clay, put woven geotextile beneath the base. It prevents stone from sinking into the subgrade during wet seasons.
- Base depth cannot be replaced with a deep sand layer. Sand shifts, and that can create a wavy patio.
Reusing pavers: check the base
For a patio reset, begin below the pavers. Lift them out, remove the worn bedding sand, and assess the stone layer. Keep it if it is level, firm, and draining properly, then install a fresh 1-inch bedding layer. The stone order drops to a tenth of a complete new installation. Tear out the base as well where it has settled, turned soft, or holds water. On a hillside, seepage can bring the same trouble back under replacement pavers.
Example: a 16 x 12 patio
Start with 192 square feet of paved area. A 6-inch extension along three open sides brings the base footprint to 210. At 4 inches compacted, 210 x 0.333 = 70 cubic feet = 2.6 cubic yards, or about 3.9 tons and 4.3 with the allowance. Order 4.5 tons of crusher run plus 0.9 tons of bedding sand from the Paver Sand Calculator in one free delivery. Arrange the drop after excavation, since stone left on the lawn for two weeks can kill a rectangle of grass.
Questions on base depth, digging and tons
How can I calculate my paver-base amount?
Will 2 inches of paver base work?
What base depth do pavers need?
How far should I dig below pavers?
For a paver base, crusher run or screenings?
Can pavers go down without base material?
Other calculators
The base supports the pavers.
Order crusher run and screenings by the ton with bedding sand, including free delivery.