Planning a new patio or walkway? The biggest mistake DIYers make is forgetting the “invisible” layers. A paver patio is like an iceberg—what you see on top is only 30% of the material. The structural integrity comes from the tons of gravel and sand hidden beneath.

Use our free Paver & Patio Calculator below to determine exactly how many bricks, bags of sand, and tons of gravel base you need to build a patio that won’t sink or shift.

How to Use This Calculator

We designed this tool to calculate the entire “Paver Sandwich” in one go. Here is what the inputs mean:

• Patio Dimensions: Enter the length and width of the area you excavated. If you have a curved patio, square off the dimensions to the widest points (it’s better to have extra material than to run out).
• Paver Size: Select your brick size.
  • 4″ x 8″: Standard red clay brick or Holland stone.
  • 12″ x 12″ to 24″ x 24″: Common sizes for concrete stepping stones or modern slate pavers.
• Levelling Sand: This is the thin layer directly under the bricks. The industry standard is 1 inch. Do not go thicker than 1 inch, or your pavers may settle unevenly.
• Gravel Base: This is the foundation.
  • 4 inches: Standard for walking patios.
  • 6+ inches: Required for driveways or areas parking heavy machinery.

Why We Built This (The “Secret Sauce”)

Generic construction calculators often treat a patio as a single volume. We split it into three distinct material orders because you buy them differently:

1. Paver Count (+10% Waste): You can’t just buy the exact area. You will break bricks while cutting edges. Our tool adds a 10% “oops margin” automatically.
2. Base vs. Sand: You buy Levelling Sand in bags (or by the scoop), but you buy Paver Base (CR-6 or 21A Gravel) by the Ton. Our tool converts the volume into the correct unit for ordering delivery.

Educational Guide: The 4 Layers of a Perfect Patio

To ensure your patio lasts 20 years, you must build it in layers:

1. Subgrade (Soil): The dirt at the bottom of your excavation. It must be compacted firmly before adding stone.
2. Geotextile Fabric: A barrier layer placed on the soil. It stops the gravel from sinking into the dirt while letting water drain through.
3. Paver Base (4-6 inches): A mix of jagged rocks and stone dust. When compacted, it becomes hard like concrete but remains flexible enough to handle frost heaves.
4. Bedding Sand (1 inch): A layer of coarse concrete sand that provides a smooth, flat bed for the pavers to sit on.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How deep do I need to dig for pavers?

For a standard patio, you typically need to dig down 7 to 9 inches. This accounts for: 4 inches of gravel base + 1 inch of sand + 2.5 inches (approx height) of the paver itself.

What is the difference between Bedding Sand and Polymeric Sand?

Bedding Sand goes under the pavers to level them. Polymeric Sand goes between the cracks after the pavers are laid. It contains a glue-like polymer that hardens when wet to lock the bricks together and prevent weeds.

Do I really need a plate compactor?

Yes. You cannot manually tamp a gravel base effectively. You must rent a gas-powered plate compactor to vibrate the gravel base until it is solid. If you skip this, your patio will develop ruts and sunken spots within a year.