How the paver calculator works
The calculator adds up the area of your shapes and subtracts cut-outs. It works out the area one paver covers including its joint, divides your area by that, and adds an allowance for your pattern. If you add a border, it lays pavers on edge around the outside and takes that strip out of the field. It then finds the volume of gravel base and bedding sand with a compaction allowance, the polymeric sand needed to fill the joints, and the length of edge restraint.
Pavers = area × (1 + extra %) ÷ paver area, rounded up
Base (yd³) = area × depth (ft) × (1 + extra %) ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard
Area formulas used for each shape
| Shape | Formula |
|---|---|
| Rectangle | length × width |
| Circle | π × (diameter ÷ 2)² |
| Triangle | ½ × base × height |
| Known area | entered directly in sq ft (or sq m if you chose meters) |
Worked examples
Example 1: a 10 × 10 ft patio with 4 × 8 in pavers
Each paver with a 1/8 in joint covers 4.125 × 8.125 ÷ 144 = 0.233 sq ft. 100 ÷ 0.233 = 430 pavers, or 473 with 10% extra. A 6 in base with 10% extra is 2.04 yd³ (about 3.1 tons), and 1 in of sand is 0.34 yd³ (about 0.5 tons). Joints take about 2 bags of polymeric sand.
Example 2: a 12 × 16 ft patio with 12 × 12 in pavers
192 sq ft. Each paver covers 12.125² ÷ 144 = 1.021 sq ft, so 192 ÷ 1.021 = 188 pavers, or 207 with 10% extra. A 6 in base is 3.9 yd³, about 5.9 tons of gravel.
Example 3: a 4 × 20 ft walkway with 6 × 9 in pavers in a herringbone pattern
80 sq ft. Each paver covers 6.125 × 9.125 ÷ 144 = 0.388 sq ft, so 80 ÷ 0.388 = 206 pavers. Herringbone needs about 15% extra, so order 238. A 4 in base is 1.09 yd³, about 1.6 tons.
What goes under pavers
A paver surface is a stack of layers, and the base matters more than the pavers. From the bottom: compacted soil, compacted gravel base, a thin screeded bedding sand layer, the pavers, then polymeric sand swept into the joints. An edge restraint around the outside keeps everything from spreading.
| Project | Gravel base depth | Bedding sand |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway | 4 to 6 in | about 1 in |
| Patio | 4 to 6 in | about 1 in |
| Driveway | 8 to 12 in or more | about 1 in |
Cold climates and soft soil call for a deeper base. Slope the surface about ¼ inch per foot away from buildings so water drains.
Paver patterns and how much extra to order
Patterns with more angles and cut pieces need more spares.
| Pattern | Extra to order |
|---|---|
| Stack or running bond | about 10% |
| Basketweave | 10 to 15% |
| Herringbone | about 15% |
| Diagonal | about 15% |
| Curved edges or circles | 15 to 20% |
These are common guides. Keep a few extra pavers from the same batch for future repairs.
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the compacted base. Pavers need a compacted gravel base for drainage and strength. Bare soil leads to settling and weeds.
- Ignoring the joints. Joints add to each paver's footprint and fill with polymeric sand, so they affect both the count and the sand you buy.
- Forgetting the extra for cuts. Edges, curves and patterns like herringbone mean more cut pavers. Buy 10 to 20% extra and keep a few spares for future repairs.
- Too much bedding sand. About 1 in is enough. Thick sand settles unevenly.
- No edge restraint. Without a firm edge the pavers spread and the joints open. Order edging for the whole outside edge.
How many pavers per square foot?
The number of pavers in a square foot depends on the size. The table shows the count with no gap and with 1/8 inch joints, and how many pavers 100 square feet needs with 10% extra.
| Paver size | Pavers per sq ft (no gap) | Pavers per sq ft (1/8 in joint) | For 100 sq ft with 10% extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 4.50 | 4.30 | 473 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4.00 | 3.84 | 423 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 2.58 | 284 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1.00 | 0.98 | 108 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 0.55 | 61 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 0.25 | 28 |
Cut pieces and patterns such as herringbone need more, so use the calculator for your pattern.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need?
Divide your area by the area one paver covers, joint included, then add 10 to 20% for cuts and breakage. A 4 × 8 inch paver covers about 0.22 sq ft, so a 10 × 10 ft patio needs about 450 pavers with no gaps and about 430 with 1/8 inch joints, before the extra.
How many pavers do I need for a 10x10 area?
A 10 × 10 ft area is 100 sq ft. With 4 × 8 inch pavers and 1/8 inch joints that is about 430, or 473 with 10% extra. With 12 × 12 inch pavers it is about 98, or 108 with 10% extra. Enter your own paver size in the calculator.
How many pavers are in a square foot?
It depends on the size. A 4 × 8 inch paver gives about 4.5 per sq ft, a 6 × 9 inch paver about 2.7, a 12 × 12 inch paver exactly 1, and a 16 × 16 inch paver about 0.56. Joints reduce the count a little.
How much sand and gravel base do I need for pavers?
A common build is 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel for walkways and patios, then about 1 inch of bedding sand. For a 10 × 10 ft patio with a 6 inch base that is about 2 cubic yards of gravel (around 3 tons) and a third of a cubic yard of sand, including 10% for compaction.
Do I really need a gravel base for pavers?
Yes, for anything beyond a light stepping-stone path. The compacted base spreads the load, drains water and stops pavers from sinking or heaving. Skipping it usually leads to uneven, settling pavers and weeds.
Can I just lay pavers on dirt?
It is not recommended. Pavers on bare soil settle unevenly, sink where water collects and let weeds through. A compacted gravel base and a layer of bedding sand is the standard way to get a flat, lasting surface.
Can I put 2 inches of sand under pavers?
Most guides call for about 1 inch of bedding sand, and not much more than 1.5 inches, because thick sand compresses unevenly. If the base is uneven, fix the base instead of adding sand.
Is 3 inches of paver base enough?
For a light-duty walkway on firm, well-drained soil some installers use less, but 4 to 6 inches is the usual minimum for walkways and patios. Driveways need 8 to 12 inches or more, and cold climates or soft soil call for a deeper base.
Do you tamp down sand before laying pavers?
No. Compact the gravel base, then screed the bedding sand level and leave it loose. Lay the pavers, run a plate compactor over them to seat them into the sand, then sweep polymeric sand into the joints.
Is it cheaper to lay concrete or pavers?
A plain poured concrete slab usually costs less per square foot to install than pavers. Pavers cost more up front, but a damaged unit can be lifted and replaced, and they come in many colors and patterns. Compare quotes for your size and site.
What is the cost of a 10x10 paver patio?
It depends on the paver, the base and whether you do the work yourself. As an example only, 473 pavers at $1 each is about $473, plus base, sand, edging and delivery. Enter your own prices under the Prices section for a materials estimate.
Gravel calculatorTons and yards for base and paths
Soil calculatorCubic yards and bags for beds