WheelbarrowMath

Paver Calculator

Find out how many pavers you need for a patio or walkway, plus base gravel, bedding sand, joint sand, and edging.

Patio or walkway
  1. Area 1
    ft
    ft

For an odd shape, split it into rectangles, circles, and triangles; they're added together.

Paver size
Laying pattern
%

10–15% is typical. Patterns with more cuts need the high end.

in

Use 4–6 in under patios and walks and 6–8 in under driveways.Use 10–15 cm under patios and walks and 15–20 cm under driveways.

in
in

The base should run at least 6 in beyond the pavers on every side.The base should run at least 15 cm beyond the pavers on every side.

sq ft

About 65–85 sq ft per 50 lb bag of polymeric sand with narrow joints.About 6–8 m² per 22.7 kg bag of polymeric sand with narrow joints.

Prices (typical US prices; edit for your area)
/sq ft

Typically $2–$4 a sq ft for concrete pavers.Typically $22–$43 a m² for concrete pavers.

/sq ft

Typically $1.40–$2.20 a sq ft.Typically $15–$24 a m².

Your Results

Calculating …

How Many Pavers Do I Need?

Pavers = area in square feet × 144 ÷ (paver length × paver width in inches)

Then add 10–15% for cuts and breakage, and round up.

Worked example. A 12 × 10 ft patio is 120 sq ft. With 12 × 12 in pavers that’s 120 pavers, or 132 with 10% extra. Underneath it you’ll need:

  • Base gravel: 4 in deep, extending 6 in past the edges. That’s about 143 sq ft of base, or 1.76 cubic yards, roughly 2.5 tons.
  • Bedding sand: 1 in over the patio area, or 10 cubic feet.
  • Joint sand: 120 sq ft ÷ 75 sq ft a bag = 2 bags of polymeric sand.
  • Edge restraint: up to 44 ft, less wherever the patio runs up against the house.
Pavers per square foot
Paver sizePer sq ftPer 100 sq ft, with 10% extra
6 × 6 in4.00440
4 × 8 in4.50495
6 × 9 in2.67294
12 × 12 in1.00110
16 × 16 in0.5662
24 × 24 in0.2528

What Goes Under Pavers

A paver patio is only as good as what’s under it. Here’s a typical DIY build, top to bottom:

  1. Pavers, about 2⅜ in thick for standard concrete pavers.
  2. Bedding sand, about 1 in, screeded flat (The Home Depot).
  3. Compacted gravel base, 4–6 in for patios and walks, 6–8 in for driveways (This Old House). Use crushed stone base material with fines, compacted in layers.
  4. Native soil, dug out and compacted.

Oklahoma State University’s paver spec runs the base at least 6 in past the pavers all the way around, so the edges have something solid to sit on. The calculator includes that margin in the base gravel.

Slope the patio away from the house so water drains. Guidance ranges from about 1 in of drop every 4 ft (This Old House) to 1 in every 8 ft (The Home Depot).

Waste and Pattern

Every cut leaves a scrap, and some pavers arrive chipped. Buy 10% extra for straight and running-bond layouts and up to 15% for herringbone, diagonal layouts, and patios with curves. Leftovers are handy: paver colors vary between production runs, so it’s worth keeping a few for repairs.

Want the Cost?

The paver patio cost calculator uses the same inputs and adds installation labor, so you can compare doing it yourself with hiring a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Pavers Do I Need per Square Foot?

Divide 144 by the paver’s length × width in inches. That’s 4.5 per sq ft for 4 × 8 in pavers, 4 for 6 × 6 in, 1 for 12 × 12 in, and about 0.56 for 16 × 16 in. Then add 10–15% for cuts.

How Much Extra Should I Buy?

Plan on 10–15% extra. Straight and running-bond layouts need fewer cuts, so the low end is usually enough. Herringbone, diagonal, and curved edges need the high end.

How Deep Should the Base Be Under Pavers?

Use about 4–6 in of compacted gravel base for patios and walkways and 6–8 in for driveways, with 1 in of bedding sand on top. The base should extend at least 6 in past the pavers on every side.

How Much Polymeric Sand Do I Need?

For standard concrete pavers with narrow joints (1/8–3/8 in), a 50 lb bag of polymeric sand covers about 65–85 sq ft. Wide joints use far more.

Sources

Prices are national ballparks checked October 2026. Local prices vary.