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Patio Paver Base Calculator · Free calculator

8x8 Patio Paver Base Calculator

A 8' × 8' paver patio (64 sq ft) needs 0.91 yd³ — about 1.27 tons — of compacted gravel base at 4", plus 0.22 yd³ of bedding sand at 1". Here's every layer, bag count and paver quantity for 8x8.

Quick answer

4" gravel base
0.91 yd³ · 1.27 t
6" gravel base
1.36 yd³ · 1.91 t
1" bedding sand
0.22 yd³ · 12 bags
4x8 pavers (+10%)
317
Edge restraint
32 LF
Base rock (bulk) @ 4"
$55

▍Gravel Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 8' 0"W = 8' 0"D = 4"
Cubic Yards
0.91yd³
incl. 15% waste · Bulk delivery: order 1.00 yd³
Cubic Feet
24.53ft³
Area
64.0sq ft
Weight
1.27tons
Weight
2,544lbs
Gravel bags needed
  • 0.5 cu ft bag (~50 lb) (0.5 ft³ yield)50

Gravel base for a 8x8 paver patio

64 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)0.91 yd³1.2750$55
6"Patio on clay or in frost zones1.36 yd³1.9174$83
8"Paver driveway (vehicles)1.82 yd³2.5499$110

Sand, pavers & edging for 8x8

ItemQuantityNotes
Bedding sand 1" (concrete sand)0.22 yd³ / 0.29 tons12 × 0.5 cu ft bags
Standard 4" × 8" pavers3174.5 per sq ft + 10% cuts
Polymeric joint sand (50 lb)2~60 sq ft per bag
Edge restraint32 LF4 × 8' sections, spikes every 12"
Geotextile fabric71 sq ftextend 6" past edges
Excavation depth @ 4" base7.375"4" base + 1" sand + 2-3/8" paver

How the math works

  1. Area: 8 ft × 8 ft = 64 sq ft
  2. Base volume @ 4": 64 × (4 ÷ 12) = 21.33 cu ft
  3. Add 15% for compaction: 21.33 × 1.15 = 24.53 cu ft = 0.91 yd³
  4. Tons: 0.91 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 1.27 tons
  5. Sand @ 1": 64 × (1 ÷ 12) × 1.10 = 5.87 cu ft = 0.22 yd³
  6. Pavers: 64 sq ft × 4.5 × 1.10 = 317 pavers

Trade pro tips

  • A 8x8 patio (64 sq ft) at 4" base needs about 1.27 tons of base rock — a pickup can haul it in 1–2 trips.
  • 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 8x8 paver patio?

At 4" compacted: 0.91 yd³ (1.27 tons). At 6": 1.36 yd³ (1.91 tons). For a paver driveway at 8": 1.82 yd³ (2.54 tons). All include 15% for compaction.

How much sand do I need for 8x8 pavers?

A 1" bedding layer for 64 sq ft is 5.87 cu ft — 0.22 yd³, about 0.29 tons or 12 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. Add ~2 bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

How many pavers for a 8x8 patio?

About 317 standard 4" × 8" pavers (4.5 per sq ft × 64 sq ft + 10% for cuts). Herringbone and other angled patterns can need 15% extra.

How deep should I dig for a 8x8 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 1.36 yd³ of gravel for 8x8.