How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Patio Base

When installing patio pavers, a proper gravel base is essential for long-term stability. The base layer helps distribute weight, prevent shifting, and allow proper drainage during Calgary’s freeze-thaw cycles.

A typical patio base includes:

• 4–6 inches of compacted gravel
• 1 inch of bedding sand
• patio pavers installed on top

To estimate gravel quantity:

1 cubic yard of gravel covers approximately:

• 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep
• 75 sq ft at 4 inches deep
• 50 sq ft at 6 inches deep

For example:

A 300 sq ft patio with a 4 inch base will require roughly 4 cubic yards of gravel.

You can use our Bulk Volume Calculator to estimate the material required for your project.

Once you know how much gravel you need, Direct Landscape Supply provides bulk gravel pickup or delivery across Calgary and surrounding communities.