Paver sand calculator
A 20 ft by 10 ft paver patio with a 1-inch bedding layer of sand over a 6-inch compacted base layer of crusher run needs 0.62 cubic yards of sand for the bedding layer (about 0.86 tons) and 3.7 compacted cubic yards of crusher run for the base layer (about 6.98 tons, 4.96–5.63 loose cubic yards to order): about 7.84 tons in all.
Sand
0 uses the published 2,795 lb/yd³
Optional; 0 leaves cost out
0 uses the published 3,770 lb/yd³
Optional; 0 leaves cost out
A 20 ft by 10 ft area needs 0.62 cubic yards of sand for the bedding layer (0.86 tons) and 3.7 compacted cubic yards of crusher run for the base layer (6.98 tons): 7.84 tons in all. Loose material takes more room before it is compacted: order about 4.96–5.63 loose cubic yards of crusher run.
- Bedding layer: sand
- 0.62 yd³ · 0.86 t
- Base layer: crusher run
- 3.7 yd³ compacted · 6.98 t
- Base layer: loose to order
- 4.96–5.63 yd³ (× 1.34–1.52, Wisconsin DOT research (WHRP))
- Total cubic yards
- 4.32
- Total cubic feet
- 116.7
- Total tons
- 7.84
- Total pounds
- 15,688
- To order, rounded up to the half yard
- 1 + 6 yd³
How it is calculated
- Area = 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft.
- Bedding layer: 200 sq ft × 1 in ÷ 12 = 16.67 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.617 yd³; × 2,795 lb/yd³ ÷ 2,000 = 0.86 tons.
- Base layer: 200 sq ft × 6 in ÷ 12 = 100 cu ft ÷ 27 = 3.704 yd³; × 3,770 lb/yd³ ÷ 2,000 = 6.98 tons.
- Base layer loose: 3.704 yd³ × 1.34–1.52 = 4.96–5.63 yd³; rounded up to 6 yd³.
How to calculate paver base and sand
Each layer of a paver patio is worked out on its own, because the layers differ in thickness and can differ in material. The worked numbers use the calculator's defaults: a 20 ft by 10 ft paver patio with 1 inch of bedding layer and 6 inches of base layer.
Step 1: area in square feet
Rectangle: length × width
Circle: π × diameter² ÷ 4
Triangle: base × height ÷ 2
Example 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft
Split an irregular area into rectangles, circles and triangles and add their areas.
Step 2: cubic yards of each layer
Cubic yards = area in sq ft × layer thickness in inches ÷ 324
The thickness is the finished thickness: compacted for a base, as placed for bedding sand
Example Bedding layer (sand): 200 × 1 ÷ 324 = 0.617 yd³
Example Base layer (crusher run): 200 × 6 ÷ 324 = 3.704 yd³
Step 3: tons of each layer
Tons = cubic yards × pounds per cubic yard ÷ 2,000
A compacted layer uses the published weight of a compacted cubic yard, or the loose weight × the published loose factor when no compacted weight is published
Example Bedding layer (sand): 0.617 × 2,795 lb per cubic yard ÷ 2,000 = 0.86 tons
Example Base layer (crusher run): 3.704 × 3,770 lb per compacted cubic yard ÷ 2,000 = 6.98 tons
Step 4: loose cubic yards to order
Loose cubic yards = compacted cubic yards × published loose cubic yards per compacted cubic yard (low–high)
Example Base layer (crusher run): 3.704 × 1.34–1.52 = 4.96–5.63 loose cubic yards
Loose stone takes more room before it is rolled; the factor comes from the document named with it.
Layer thickness from published guides
| Use as published | Layer | Thickness, in | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer, coarse sand | Bedding layer | 1 | Unilock |
| Paver base, 3/4 in crusher run, patios and walkways | Base layer | 6–8 | Unilock |
| Paver base, 3/4 in crusher run, pool decks | Base layer | 6–12 | Unilock |
| Paver base, 3/4 in crusher run, driveways | Base layer | 10–14 | Unilock |
Weight of a compacted layer by material
A compacted layer weighs more per cubic yard than the loose stone delivered for it. The tons in the result use the published weight of a compacted cubic yard where a document gives one, otherwise the loose weight times a published compaction factor. A compacted weight is never multiplied by the factor again; the factor only gives the loose cubic yards to order.
- Crusher run: 3,770 lb per compacted cubic yard, the middle of Wisconsin DOT research (WHRP)'s 1.79–1.98 tons per cubic yard for “Dense Graded Base 1¼ in”; about 1.34–1.52 loose cubic yards per compacted cubic yard (Wisconsin DOT research (WHRP)).
- Gravel: 3,200 lb per compacted cubic yard (Maine DEP); about 1.11 loose cubic yards per compacted cubic yard (Maine DEP).
Paver base and bedding sand
Pavers sit on a thin, even bed of coarse sand laid over a compacted base of crushed stone. The base carries the load and the sand lets each paver be set level. The base is thicker under driveways than under patios and walkways.
The base thickness is the finished, compacted thickness, so the result gives its compacted tons and, where a document gives the factor, the loose cubic yards to order. The bedding sand is a thin, screeded layer and is weighed as placed.