Patio Cost Calculator
— How Much Do You Need?

Almost every patio project relies on aggregate at some stage, whether as the finished walking surface or as the structural foundation beneath it. A loose-fill gravel patio uses aggregate like pea gravel or decomposed granite directly as the surface. A paver patio requires a compacted gravel base layer plus a thin sand bedding layer to hold everything in position. A flagstone patio follows the same general approach. Even a concrete patio benefits from a gravel sub-base for drainage and long-term stability. Hello Gravel supplies the bulk aggregate for all of these stages, from the base layers you never see to the surface material guests walk on every day.

A gravel patio is an outdoor living area where loose aggregate serves as the finished surface. Pea gravel, crushed stone, and decomposed granite are the most common choices. It is one of the most affordable and DIY-friendly patio options available, and the results can look sharp with the right edging and outdoor furniture. Gravel patios drain naturally, so standing water after rain is rarely a problem. They are also straightforward to install and easy to adjust if you want to change the layout later. The main tradeoff is that loose material can shift underfoot over time, which is why adding a solid border or edging is a smart move. For casual outdoor spaces, entertaining areas, or any project where you want a clean, natural look without a big investment, a gravel patio is a genuinely great option.

For patio base layers, you want a material that compacts tightly and stays stable under load. Crushed stone, particularly angular crusher run or processed gravel, is the go-to choice because the jagged edges lock together when compacted, creating a firm, immovable base. Crushed concrete performs similarly and is another strong option that Hello Gravel carries in bulk. One thing to avoid for base layers is rounded stone like pea gravel. Because those stones are smooth and uniform, they roll rather than compact, which means they do not provide the firm foundation you need under pavers or flagstone. Save the pea gravel for your surface layer. For the base, stick with angular crushed material and give it the compaction it deserves before you move on to the next layer.

For most residential patio projects, a 4-inch compacted gravel base is the standard minimum. If your soil is heavy clay, if drainage is a concern, or if you expect heavier loads like a large dining set or outdoor kitchen, bumping that up to 6 inches of compacted base is a worthwhile upgrade. If you are adding a sand bedding layer on top of the gravel base for pavers or flagstone, plan for roughly 1 inch of sand over the compacted stone. For a standalone gravel surface patio, 3 to 4 inches of depth gives you a stable, comfortable walking surface that holds up well through seasonal changes. Always account for these depth requirements when you are figuring out how much material to order. The Hello Gravel online calculator lets you enter your exact dimensions and depth so you get an accurate quantity rather than a rough guess.

Yes, and getting both layers right is the difference between a patio that stays flat for years and one that shifts and settles after the first winter. The gravel base, typically 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone, provides the load-bearing structure and allows water to drain away from your patio surface. The sand layer on top, usually about 1 inch of coarse sand, acts as a screed bed. That means you can rake and level it precisely before setting each paver or flagstone, which gives you a smooth, even finished surface. Skipping the sand layer makes precise leveling much harder and often leads to a surface that rocks or shifts underfoot. Hello Gravel can deliver both your crushed stone and your sand in bulk, so you can cover both layers without sourcing materials from two different places.