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Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

24x24 Patio Paver Base Calculator

A 24' × 24' paver patio (576 sq ft) needs 8.18 yd³ — about 11.45 tons — of compacted gravel base at 4", plus 1.96 yd³ of bedding sand at 1". Here's every layer, bag count and paver quantity for 24x24.

Quick answer

4" gravel base
8.18 yd³ · 11.45 t
6" gravel base
12.27 yd³ · 17.17 t
1" bedding sand
1.96 yd³ · 106 bags
4x8 pavers (+10%)
2,852
Edge restraint
96 LF
Base rock (bulk) @ 4"
$454

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 24' 0"W = 24' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
8.18yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 8.25 yd³
Cubic Feet
220.80ft³
Area
576.0sq ft
Weight
11.45tons
Weight
22,898lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)442

Gravel base for a 24x24 paver patio

576 sq ft, +15% for compaction. Crushed stone / Class II road base ≈ 1.4 tons per yd³.

Base depthUseCubic yardsTons0.5 cu ft bagsBulk est.
4"Patio / walkway (foot traffic)8.18 yd³11.45442$454
6"Patio on clay or in frost zones12.27 yd³17.17663$688
8"Paver driveway (vehicles)16.36 yd³22.90884$908

Sand, pavers & edging for 24x24

ItemQuantityNotes
Bedding sand 1" (concrete sand)1.96 yd³ / 2.64 tons106 × 0.5 cu ft bags
Standard 4" × 8" pavers2,8524.5 per sq ft + 10% cuts
Polymeric joint sand (50 lb)10~60 sq ft per bag
Edge restraint96 LF12 × 8' sections, spikes every 12"
Geotextile fabric634 sq ftextend 6" past edges
Excavation depth @ 4" base7.375"4" base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" paver

How the math works

  1. Area: 24 ft × 24 ft = 576 sq ft
  2. Base volume @ 4": 576 × (4 ÷ 12) = 192.00 cu ft
  3. Add 15% for compaction: 192.00 × 1.15 = 220.80 cu ft = 8.18 yd³
  4. Tons: 8.18 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 11.45 tons
  5. Sand @ 1": 576 × (1 ÷ 12) × 1.10 = 52.80 cu ft = 1.96 yd³
  6. Pavers: 576 sq ft × 4.5 × 1.10 = 2,852 pavers

Trade pro tips

  • A 24x24 patio (576 sq ft) at 4" base needs about 11.45 tons of base rock — have it dumped on a tarp near the dig.
  • Excavate base depth + 1" sand + paver thickness (2-3/8" for standard pavers).
  • Compact the base in 2" lifts with a plate compactor — one thick lift never gets dense.
  • Screed bedding sand to exactly 1". Thicker sand causes pavers to rut and shift.
  • Use edge restraint on every side not held by a wall or slab, spiked every 12".

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel base do I need for a 24x24 paver patio?

At 4" compacted: 8.18 yd³ (11.45 tons). At 6": 12.27 yd³ (17.17 tons). For a paver driveway at 8": 16.36 yd³ (22.90 tons). All include 15% for compaction.

How much sand do I need for 24x24 pavers?

A 1" bedding layer for 576 sq ft is 52.80 cu ft — 1.96 yd³, about 2.64 tons or 106 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. Add ~10 bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

How many pavers for a 24x24 patio?

About 2,852 standard 4" × 8" pavers (4.5 per sq ft × 576 sq ft + 10% for cuts). Herringbone and other angled patterns can need 15% extra.

How deep should I dig for a 24x24 paver patio?

About 7-3/8" for a patio: 4" gravel base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" pavers. On clay or in frost zones use a 6" base (about 9-3/8" dig), which takes 12.27 yd³ of gravel for 24x24.