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Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

30x40 Patio Paver Base Calculator

A 30' × 40' paver patio (1200 sq ft) needs 17.04 yd³ — about 23.85 tons — of compacted gravel base at 4", plus 4.07 yd³ of bedding sand at 1". Here's every layer, bag count and paver quantity for 30x40.

Quick answer

4" gravel base
17.04 yd³ · 23.85 t
6" gravel base
25.56 yd³ · 35.78 t
1" bedding sand
4.07 yd³ · 220 bags
4x8 pavers (+10%)
5,941
Edge restraint
140 LF
Base rock (bulk) @ 4"
$949

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 40' 0"W = 30' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
17.04yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 17.25 yd³
Cubic Feet
460.00ft³
Area
1,200.0sq ft
Weight
23.85tons
Weight
47,704lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)920

Gravel base for a 30x40 paver patio

1200 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)17.04 yd³23.85920$949
6"Patio on clay or in frost zones25.56 yd³35.781,380$1,416
8"Paver driveway (vehicles)34.07 yd³47.701,840$1,884

Sand, pavers & edging for 30x40

ItemQuantityNotes
Bedding sand 1" (concrete sand)4.07 yd³ / 5.50 tons220 × 0.5 cu ft bags
Standard 4" × 8" pavers5,9414.5 per sq ft + 10% cuts
Polymeric joint sand (50 lb)20~60 sq ft per bag
Edge restraint140 LF18 × 8' sections, spikes every 12"
Geotextile fabric1,320 sq ftextend 6" past edges
Excavation depth @ 4" base7.375"4" base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" paver

How the math works

  1. Area: 40 ft × 30 ft = 1200 sq ft
  2. Base volume @ 4": 1200 × (4 ÷ 12) = 400.00 cu ft
  3. Add 15% for compaction: 400.00 × 1.15 = 460.00 cu ft = 17.04 yd³
  4. Tons: 17.04 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 23.85 tons
  5. Sand @ 1": 1200 × (1 ÷ 12) × 1.10 = 110.00 cu ft = 4.07 yd³
  6. Pavers: 1200 sq ft × 4.5 × 1.10 = 5,941 pavers

Trade pro tips

  • A 30x40 patio (1200 sq ft) at 4" base needs about 23.85 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 30x40 paver patio?

At 4" compacted: 17.04 yd³ (23.85 tons). At 6": 25.56 yd³ (35.78 tons). For a paver driveway at 8": 34.07 yd³ (47.70 tons). All include 15% for compaction.

How much sand do I need for 30x40 pavers?

A 1" bedding layer for 1200 sq ft is 110.00 cu ft — 4.07 yd³, about 5.50 tons or 220 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. Add ~20 bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

How many pavers for a 30x40 patio?

About 5,941 standard 4" × 8" pavers (4.5 per sq ft × 1200 sq ft + 10% for cuts). Herringbone and other angled patterns can need 15% extra.

How deep should I dig for a 30x40 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 25.56 yd³ of gravel for 30x40.