Pea Gravel & Patio Base Calculator (with Paver Sand)
Whether you're laying pavers or building a simple pea gravel patio, the base matters most. Enter your patio size to get the compacted base stone, the 1 in bedding sand layer and (optionally) a pea gravel surface.
Material by patio size
4 in base with 15% compaction allowance, 1 in sand, 3 in pea gravel.
| Patio (ft) | Base gravel | Paver sand (1 in) | Pea gravel (3 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 2.13 t | 8.3 cu ft / 17 bags | 1.3 t / 50 bags |
| 10 × 12 | 2.56 t | 10 cu ft / 20 bags | 1.56 t / 60 bags |
| 12 × 12 | 3.07 t | 12 cu ft / 24 bags | 1.87 t / 72 bags |
| 12 × 16 | 4.09 t | 16 cu ft / 32 bags | 2.49 t / 96 bags |
| 16 × 20 | 6.81 t | 26.7 cu ft / 54 bags | 4.15 t / 160 bags |
| 20 × 20 | 8.52 t | 33.3 cu ft / 67 bags | 5.19 t / 200 bags |
Recommended depths
- Foot traffic patios: 4–6 in compacted base (6 in on clay or in freeze-thaw climates).
- Driveways: 8–12 in base.
- Bedding sand: 1 in, screeded flat and never used to make up for low spots in the base. Use coarse concrete sand, not play sand.
- Pea gravel patio: 3 in over landscape fabric, with solid edging so the stones don't migrate.
Bag yields: a 50 lb bag of sand or pea gravel is about 0.5 cu ft (typical for QUIKRETE All-Purpose Sand and Pea Gravel; check your brand). Densities: base 1.5 t/yd³, sand 1.35, pea gravel 1.4.
Ready to lay pavers? The paver patio calculator counts pavers and edging, and the 10x12 patio shopping list puts it all on one page.
Frequently asked questions
How much base do I need for a 12x12 patio?
At 4 in compacted, about 2.0 yd³ including a 15% compaction allowance, roughly 3.1 tons of crusher run or paver base.
How much sand for pavers?
1 in of bedding sand: 1 cu ft per 12 sq ft. A 12×12 patio needs 12 cu ft, about 24 × 50 lb bags.
How deep should pea gravel be for a patio?
About 3 in over a compacted base and landscape fabric. Deeper than that feels loose underfoot.
Last reviewed October 2026 by Jim Frith. These are planning estimates; confirm quantities with your supplier and follow local codes.