Paver Calculator

How do you calculate how many pavers you need?

Work out how many pavers cover one square foot, multiply by the area, then add a cutting allowance for the pattern. The calculator above does all three steps and also sizes the gravel base and bedding sand underneath.

Pavers per ft² = 144 ÷ (paver length in × paver width in)
Pavers to buy = area (ft²) × pavers per ft² × (1 + allowance %), rounded up

The 144 is the number of square inches in a square foot. A 4 × 8 in paver covers 32 in², so 144 ÷ 32 = 4.5 pavers fill each square foot. The same logic works in metric: 1,000,000 mm² per m² divided by the paver’s face in mm².

1. Measure the area. Multiply length × width in feet. Split an L-shape into two rectangles and add them; for a circle use 3.1416 × radius².
2. Pick the paver size. Use the face size from the product sheet. The dropdown lists common nominal sizes.
3. Pick the pattern. The pattern sets the allowance for cuts and breakage.
4. Set the base and sand depths. The defaults are Iowa State Extension’s 5 in of base and 1 1/2 in of sand.

How many pavers per square foot? (chart by paver size)

Pavers per square foot is 144 divided by the paver’s face area in square inches. The chart covers common nominal sizes; every figure is computed with the site’s calculation library.

Nominal vs actual size. Many pavers are sold by a nominal size, while the actual unit is slightly smaller so a joint or spacer bar fits between them. The chart ignores joints, which slightly overstates the count; the allowance covers the difference. When the spec sheet lists units per square foot or square feet per pallet, use those numbers; they already include the manufacturer’s joint.

Mixed-size systems (three or four sizes laid in a random pattern) are sold by the square foot, not per piece. Enter 12 × 12 for those: one “paver” per square foot turns the result into square feet to order.

How much extra pavers should I buy for the pattern?

Buy about 5% extra for a straight or running bond, 10% for basketweave or a patio with curved edges, and 15% for herringbone or anything laid on a diagonal. These are common rules of thumb, not a published standard. The more pieces you cut at the edges, the more waste.

Small areas need a bigger share of extras because the edge is long compared with the field. A 3 ft walkway has edges on both sides along its whole length. Keep a few spare pavers after the job: a matching replacement later can be hard to find once a production run ends.

How many pavers do I need for common patio sizes?

This table gives pavers to buy at a 10% allowance for three popular sizes, plus the base and sand quantities at Iowa State Extension’s 5 in and 1 1/2 in depths.

Base tons are crusher run at 1.6 t/yd³ and sand at 1.35 t/yd³, the site’s typical loose figures. Quarry weights vary, so convert a supplier’s quote with the tons to cubic yards converter before you compare.

How much base and sand go under pavers?

Iowa State University Extension’s paver guide calls for digging out enough soil for 5 inches of compacted base, 1 1/2 inches of sand and the paver thickness, using quarried gravel 3/4 inch and smaller compacted with a vibrating plate. Oregon State University Extension’s guide gives 4 to 6 inches of crushed rock, placed in lifts and compacted between, and thicker on soft clay or where cars drive.

Base or sand (yd³) = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 324

Iowa State’s guide also says the bedding sand should not be deeper than 1 1/2 inches, because a thick sand bed leaves a wavy surface. Screed the sand level; do not compact it before the pavers go down. Many paver makers publish their own base depth by soil and use, and their installation guide takes priority for their product.

The digging depth is base + sand + paver. With a 2 3/8 in paver, 5 + 1.5 + 2.375 = about 8 7/8 in below finished height. On the 12 × 12 ft patio that is 144 × 8.875 ÷ 324 = 3.94 yd³ of soil to remove, before it bulks up in the wheelbarrow.

For deeper detail on stone choice and coverage per ton, use the paver base calculator; for bedding and joint sand, the paver sand calculator.

Pavers per square metre (metric)

In metric, pavers per m² = 1,000,000 ÷ (length × width in mm). A 200 × 100 mm paver gives exactly 50 per m².

What about border pavers and edging?

A soldier or sailor border is a row of pavers around the edge, often a different colour. Count it separately: border pavers = perimeter (in) ÷ paver length along the edge (in). A 12 × 12 ft patio has a 48 ft perimeter, or 576 in; a border of 4 × 8 in pavers laid lengthwise takes 576 ÷ 8 = 72 pavers.

Take the border’s area out of the field before you count the field pavers, or you will order twice for the same strip. With a 4 in wide border on the 12 × 12 ft patio, the field shrinks to about 11.33 × 11.33 ft, or 128.4 ft². The calculator handles the field when you enter the inner size; add the border count by hand.

Edge restraint (plastic, aluminium or a concrete curb) holds the border in place. Buy it by the linear foot of the perimeter, 48 ft for the 12 × 12 ft patio.

Common paver estimating mistakes

• Using the nominal size when the spec sheet gives coverage. If the sheet says units per square foot or per pallet, that number already includes the joint.
• Forgetting the pattern allowance. Herringbone with no extra almost always leaves you short on the last day.
• Counting the border twice. Subtract the border strip from the field area.
• Measuring to the paver line, not the edge restraint. The base should run past the pavers under the edging, so size the base on the slightly larger area.
• Ordering sand at the wrong depth. A 1 1/2 in bed is the upper limit in Iowa State’s guide, not a target to exceed.
• Mixing dye lots. Buy every paver for the job at once and blend from several pallets as you lay.

All quantities here are estimates for ordering. Check the paver manufacturer’s installation guide for base depth, sand type and joint width before you buy, and check local rules if the patio is near a property line or carries vehicles.