How Deep Should a Paver Base Be?
Depth by application
| Use | Compacted gravel | Bedding sand | Total excavation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walkway, foot traffic | 4 in | 1 in | ~7.4 in |
| Patio | 4–6 in | 1 in | ~7.4–9.4 in |
| Driveway, cars | 8–10 in | 1 in | ~11.4–13.4 in |
| Driveway, heavy vehicles | 10–12 in | 1 in | ~13.4–15.4 in |
| Cold climate or clay soil | add 2–4 in | 1 in | deeper |
Total excavation is gravel + sand + paver thickness (typically 2-3/8 in for a standard paver). Dig to that depth below the finished surface height you want.
The one inch of sand is not negotiable
Bedding sand does one job: it lets each paver seat evenly against small surface irregularities. It is not a levelling layer. At 1 in it compacts predictably under the pavers. At 2 or 3 in it keeps consolidating for years afterwards, unevenly, and the surface goes wavy — the classic sunken-paver patio.
So if the gravel base is not flat, fix the gravel. Screed and compact it to grade and check with a straightedge and a level. Then screed exactly 1 in of sand over it using pipes or screed rails as guides.
Use the right sand and the right stone
| Layer | Use | Do not use |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Crusher run / quarry process, or #57 washed stone with geotextile | Pea gravel or river rock — rounded stone cannot compact into a stable layer |
| Bedding | Coarse, angular concrete sand (ASTM C33) | Play sand or mason sand — too fine, holds water, keeps settling |
| Joints | Polymeric jointing sand, swept in and activated | Bedding sand in the joints — it washes out |
Slope, edge, compact
- Slope 1–2% away from the house — about 1/8 to 1/4 in per foot. Build the slope into the gravel base, not the sand.
- Compact the gravel in 2–3 in lifts. A plate compactor is a cheap rental and the single biggest determinant of whether the patio is flat in five years.
- Install edge restraint before the final compaction. Without it the outer row creeps outward, joints open, and the field loosens from the perimeter inward.
- Compact the pavers into the sand, then sweep in jointing sand and compact again.
Working out the quantities
Run the gravel calculator twice — once for the base at your chosen depth, once for the sand at 1 in. Sand is lighter than stone, about 1.3 tons per cubic yard, and the tool accounts for that. Keep the compaction allowance on the gravel and set it to zero for the sand, which you screed to a finished thickness rather than compacting down to one.
Gravel is quoted by the ton but measured by volume. Enter the area and depth to get both — plus a compaction allowance, because crusher run settles and the loose volume you order is not the compacted depth you end up with.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should the gravel be under pavers?
Four inches of compacted crushed gravel for a walkway or patio, and 8 to 12 inches for a driveway. Add 2 to 4 inches in cold climates or over clay soil, where frost and poor drainage work against the base.
How much sand goes under pavers?
Exactly one inch of coarse concrete sand, screeded level. A thicker layer keeps consolidating unevenly for years and produces a wavy surface — if the base is not flat, correct the gravel rather than adding sand.
Can I use pea gravel as a paver base?
No. Rounded stone cannot lock together, so it never forms a stable compacted layer and the pavers move. Use angular crusher run or #57 crushed stone for the base.
What sand should I use under pavers?
Coarse, angular concrete sand, often sold as ASTM C33. Avoid play sand and mason sand: both are too fine, retain water, and continue settling under load.