Paver Calculator
Count the pavers for your patio and size the gravel base and bedding sand underneath. Enter any paver size, imperial or metric, and read all three at once.
How to use the paver calculator
- Enter the patio length and width in feet. Add sections for L-shaped layouts.
- Enter one paver’s size in inches — for example 12 by 12, or 4 by 8 for brick.
- Set the base and bedding depths. Four inches of gravel and one inch of sand is a common default.
- Read pavers, base gravel and bedding sand together, then order.
The three quantities that matter
A paver patio is really three orders. First, pavers: patio area divided by one paver’s area, plus waste for cuts. Second, crushed-stone base: your area times the base depth, priced by the ton (this tool assumes about 1.5 tons per cubic yard). Third, bedding sand: a thin, screeded layer, usually one inch, that the pavers sit in.
| Paver size | Pavers per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (brick) | 450 |
| 6 × 6 in | 400 |
| 12 × 12 in | 100 |
| 12 × 24 in | 50 |
Build it so it lasts
The base does the work. Excavate, lay and compact 4 to 6 inches of crushed stone in shallow lifts, screed one inch of coarse bedding sand, then set the pavers. Finish with edge restraints and sweep polymeric sand into the joints. Skip the compaction or the restraints and the patio will dip and spread within a season or two.
Ordering tips
- Buy pavers from the same batch so colors match; keep a few spares for future repairs.
- Order base gravel by the ton and sand by the bag or half-yard.
- Use 15 percent waste for herringbone or curved layouts.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need?
Divide the patio area by the area of one paver, then add waste for cuts and breakage. A 10 ft by 12 ft patio is 120 square feet; with 12 by 12 inch pavers (1 square foot each) and 10 percent waste that is 132 pavers. This calculator handles the math for any paver size you enter.
How much paver base and sand do I need?
Plan on a 4 to 6 inch compacted gravel base and a 1 inch bedding sand layer under the pavers. For a 120 square foot patio that is roughly 1.6 cubic yards of base gravel and about 11 cubic feet of bedding sand. The tool sizes both from your patio area and chosen depths.
How thick should the gravel base be?
Four inches is fine for a walkway or patio on stable soil; go to 6 inches on soft or clay soils, and deeper for anything a vehicle will cross. Always compact the base in 2 inch lifts — one deep, loose layer will settle and dip.
What paver waste factor should I use?
Ten percent is standard for a straight-edged patio. Increase it to 15 percent for diagonal patterns or curves with many cut pieces, where more pavers end up trimmed and discarded.
Do I need edge restraints?
Yes. Without plastic, metal or concrete edge restraints, pavers spread and joints open over time. Budget for restraint along every unsupported edge, plus spikes to hold it.
Paver, base and sand quantities are estimates for planning only. Actual needs vary with pattern, cuts, joint width and site conditions. Follow the paver manufacturer’s installation guidance.