Calculate gravel base material for paver installation. Enter area and depth to get tons of crushed stone with compaction factor.
A properly constructed gravel base is the most important factor in paver longevity. The base distributes loads, provides drainage, and prevents settlement that causes uneven, cracked surfaces. Skipping or skimping on base material is the number one cause of paver failure.
This calculator determines how many tons of crushed stone you need for your paver base based on the project area and depth. The standard recommendation is 4–6 inches of compacted base for patios and walkways, and 8–12 inches for driveways.
The calculator includes a compaction factor because gravel compresses during installation. You typically need 20–25% more loose material to achieve the specified compacted depth.
This data-driven approach helps contractors minimize rework, avoid delays caused by material shortages, and deliver projects on time and within the agreed budget. By quantifying this parameter precisely, construction teams can optimize material orders, reduce on-site waste, and ensure structural requirements are met safely and efficiently.
Gravel is sold by the ton, and delivery is expensive. Under-ordering means a second delivery charge. Over-ordering means dealing with excess material. This calculator provides accurate tonnage with the compaction factor built in. Data-driven calculations reduce financial risk by ensuring that material orders, labor estimates, and project budgets reflect actual requirements rather than rough approximations.
Loose volume = Area (ft²) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 × Compaction factor (1.25) Tons = Volume (ft³) × Material density / 2000 Crushed stone density ≈ 2,700 lbs/yd³ (100 lbs/ft³)
Result: 9.4 tons
300 ft² × 6 in ÷ 12 = 150 ft³ compacted. With 1.25 compaction factor: 187.5 ft³ loose. At 100 lbs/ft³: 18,750 lbs = 9.4 tons.
1. Excavate to the required depth plus 1" for sand. 2. Install geotextile fabric on clay soils to separate native soil from base. 3. Add crushed stone in 2–3" lifts, compacting each lift. 4. Check final grade and slope (1/8" per foot minimum). 5. Add 1" of leveling sand on top.
Sandy/well-drained soil: 4" base is usually sufficient. Clay soil: 6"+ base with geotextile fabric. Organic/peat soil: remove and replace with structural fill before building base. When in doubt, dig deeper.
Most gravel suppliers deliver by the truck-load (10–20 tons). Ensure you have access for a dump truck and a staging area for the material. One cubic yard of crushed stone weighs approximately 1.35 tons.
Patios and walkways: 4–6 inches of compacted base. Driveways: 8–12 inches. Areas with poor soil (clay, organic) may need an additional 4" of open-graded stone below the base for drainage.
Use 3/4" minus crushed stone (also called road base, Class 5, or QP). The angular pieces interlock when compacted. Never use round river gravel — it doesn't compact and shifts under load.
Compaction factor accounts for loose material compressing during installation. Crushed stone compresses about 20–25%, so you need 1.2–1.25 times the compacted volume in loose material. This calculator uses 1.25.
One ton of 3/4" minus crushed stone covers approximately 80 ft² at 3" compacted depth, 60 ft² at 4" depth, or 40 ft² at 6" depth. These are approximate values after compaction.
No. Sand alone erodes and shifts under load. Sand is only used as a thin 1-inch leveling layer on top of the compacted gravel base. The structural base must be angular crushed stone.
Absolutely. An uncompacted base will settle unevenly, causing paver movement and tripping hazards. Use a plate compactor (available for rent) and compact in 2–3 inch lifts. Make at least 3–4 passes over each area.