Project planner

Paver Base Project Planner

Measure the project, estimate each paver layer, and turn the result into a shopping list. If an old patio or hard surface is involved, you can also record visible conditions and available height.

Calculations stay in your browser. No project dimensions are uploaded.

Download the free Paver Patio Planning Pack Start planning

Planning inputs

Plan your paver base

Project size and layers

Start with the dimensions and installed layer depths you plan to use.

Project type Base material Ask your supplier which local product they recommend for a compacted paver base. Project length (ft) Project width (ft) Paver thickness (in) Use the installed thickness from the paver specifications. Compacted base depth (in) Bedding sand depth (in)

Check an existing patio or surface Optional

Already have a patio, slab, or hard surface? Save a few measurements and observations before you plan the new paver layers.

Record what you can see and measure

What is there now? What have you noticed? Choose what you can see. This planner does not assess the cause. Does water stand here after rain? Where does rainwater leave this area? Clearance from the current surface to the lowest door, threshold, or step (in) Measure straight up from the current surface to the lowest point nearby. Space available above the current surface (in) Measure vertically from the current surface to the height where you want the finished pavers to sit. The base depth is excavated below the current surface.

Planned paver and bedding thickness (in) 2.88 in Calculated from your paver thickness and bedding sand depth.

This check records what you see. It does not tell you whether an existing surface is ready for pavers.

Already seeing movement or a wet low spot? Read why pavers sink or rock before buying repair materials.

Advanced planning inputs

Open these inputs when you want paver counts, extra excavation, bag estimates, price comparisons, or joint-sand planning.

Paver length (in) Paver width (in) Extra pavers for cuts and waste (%) Extra excavation per side (in) Adds this distance outside the project on every side. Extra base and sand for compaction and waste (%) Base material density (tons per cu yd) Base material yield per bag (cu ft) Optional. Use the yield printed on the bag. Price per bag (optional) Bulk price per cu yd (optional) Delivery fee (optional) Joint width (in) Joint fill depth (in) Polymeric sand yield per bag (cu ft) Use the yield printed on the bag.

Enter project assumptions and optional prices from your own notes. The planner uses only the values on this page.

Project planner output

Update inputs to recalculate excavation volumes, material quantity, cost checks, and a printable report.

Enter valid project dimensions to generate a planning estimate.

Choose your base material

The base material dropdown uses common local names for compactable paver bases:

crusher run
quarry process / QP
road base
3/4 minus
dense grade aggregate

Ask for screening and exact grade with your supplier and confirm compatibility with your chosen paver and drainage setup. Use supplier instructions and manufacturer guidance where relevant.

Common mistakes

Pea gravel usually does not compact as a base for pavers.
Decorative river rock is not a stable paver base.
Skipping compaction can cause settlement and loose movement.
Extra excavation around the edges changes the amount of material you need.
Ignoring edge restraint can lead to edge lift and slab drift over time.
Compare delivery minimums and fees before choosing bags or bulk.

FAQ

Can I use river sand for paver bedding?

Use clean, coarse, angular bedding sand when possible, such as concrete sand or paver sand. The bedding layer is normally thin and even, about 1 inch above the compacted base. Unwashed river sand can contain silt, clay, and other fines, may hold water, and does not lock together as well, which can lead to settlement.

Can I use extra sand to raise pavers by 3 or 4 inches?

No. Do not use several inches of loose sand to make up height. Build the height with compacted base material in layers, set the final slope in the base, then add a thin bedding sand layer on top. A raised edge of 3 or 4 inches may also need a stronger edge restraint, retained edge, or border detail to keep the base and sand from washing out.

Can I lay pavers over an existing patio?

An existing patio may be part of your starting surface, but this planner cannot tell you whether it is ready for pavers. Use the optional check to record surface condition, water movement, and finished-height measurements. Resolve unanswered site, drainage, height, and local-code questions before ordering materials.

Related planning tools

Estimate pavers for the finished surface Estimate base gravel and bedding sand Build a string-line and grade-stake table Review the paver patio material checklist Check a settled, rocking, or wet paver area