Enter the area and pick a base depth.
Order quantities include about 25% extra because loose stone compacts. Gravel weight per cubic yard varies by stone and moisture; your supplier's figure wins.
How deep should a driveway base be?
For a paver driveway, Country Reno, following ICPI guidelines, calls for at least 6 inches of compacted Granular A, and 8 inches on poor subgrade, placed in 3 to 4 inch lifts with about an inch of bedding on top. Total excavation is 10 to 14 inches. We build driveway bases 8 to 12 inches deep, because much of Mississauga and Etobicoke sits on clay that holds water. Walkways carry people, not cars, and usually get 4 to 6 inches.
Compacted volume vs what to order
Stone is delivered loose and shrinks when it is compacted in lifts. The calculator shows the compacted volume, then adds about 25% for the order. It also converts to tonnes, because many GTA suppliers sell by weight. The weight of a cubic yard depends on the stone and how wet it is, so ask your supplier and pick the closest option.
| Area | 8 in base, compacted | Order (≈ +25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 300 sq ft (1-car) | 7.4 cu yd | 9.3 cu yd |
| 600 sq ft (2-car) | 14.8 cu yd | 18.5 cu yd |
| 900 sq ft (3-car) | 22.2 cu yd | 27.8 cu yd |
Bedding sand
Pavers sit on a screeded layer about an inch thick. The calculator adds it separately, because it is a different material from the base. Don't use bedding sand to fix low spots in the base; that is how ruts form later.
Before you dig
Request locates through Ontario Dig Authority (formerly Ontario One Call) at least 5 business days before excavating; it is free. Plan where the excavated soil goes, too: a 600 sq ft driveway dug 12 inches deep produces about 22 cubic yards of material to haul away. The base also needs a fall of at least 2% away from the house so water drains (Country Reno).
Would rather have it built? See interlocking driveways or price it with the driveway cost calculator. For walks, see walkways and steps.
Questions about this tool
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply the area by the base depth. A 600 sq ft driveway with an 8 inch compacted base needs about 14.8 cubic yards compacted; order about 25% more, roughly 18.5 cubic yards, because loose stone shrinks as it is compacted. Ask your supplier for the tonnes per cubic yard of their stone.
How deep should the gravel base be under pavers?
For driveways, at least 6 inches of compacted Granular A, and 8 inches on poor subgrade, per Country Reno following ICPI guidance; we build 8 to 12 inches on GTA clay. Walkways usually get 4 to 6 inches. The base is placed and compacted in lifts of 3 to 4 inches.
What gravel is used for a driveway base in Ontario?
Granular A, a crushed stone with a mix of sizes down to fines, is the usual base under pavers in Ontario because it compacts tightly and drains. A layer of bedding sand or fine aggregate, about an inch thick, goes on top so the pavers can be set level.
How many tonnes is a cubic yard of gravel?
Roughly 1.1 to 1.3 tonnes for crushed base stone, depending on the stone and how wet it is. Suppliers know the figure for their own material, so ask before ordering; the calculator lets you pick the closest weight and converts your volume to tonnes.
Sources
- Country Reno: interlock driveway installation in Toronto (base depths, ICPI guidance)
- Ontario Dig Authority (formerly Ontario One Call): request a locate
- Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI)