Paver Base Calculator

Estimate base aggregate in cubic yards and bags, with an adjustable order allowance.

01 / Your project

Measure. Adjust. Calculate.

Example values are editable, not installation specifications. A $0 price means costs have not been entered.

Your material takeoff
2.61
cubic yards to order
Measured area
192 sq ft
Before allowance
2.37 cu yd
Bag alternative
141 bags
Material subtotal (entered price only)
0 USD

Whole packages round up. Prices include only the items you enter. Delivery, tax and installation may be extra.

How to calculate

Enter the full base footprint, including any extension beyond the pavers. Depth means the loose material layer for this estimate. If your plan specifies compacted depth, use the supplier’s loose-volume conversion before ordering. This tool does not choose a structural base depth.

Cubic yards = length × width × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × (1 + allowance / 100)

Worked example

Length (ft): 16 · Width (ft): 12 · Material depth (in): 4 · Bag yield (cu ft): 0.5 · Extra material (%): 10.

These inputs produce 2.61 cubic yards to order. Change the measurements above to match your project.

Before you order

Ask your supplier whether the quoted yardage is loose or compacted. Do not combine a compaction adjustment and a waste allowance without checking for double counting.

For an irregular footprint, split the project into rectangles. Calculate each section and combine unrounded quantities before rounding the final order. Ask the supplier to confirm product yield and available package sizes.

Common questions

Is the allowance an installation recommendation?

No. It is an editable purchasing buffer. Cuts, spills and product requirements vary. Confirm the allowance for your layout.

Does this include installation costs?

Only prices you explicitly enter are included. A material-only result is not an installed quote. Request an itemized quote for site preparation, access, removal, drainage, labor, delivery and tax.

Method maintained by YardTakeoff · Updated September 23, 2026. Product / estimating reference. Assumptions and limitations.

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