Paver Calculator
Work out how many pavers to buy for your patio or path — plus the gravel base and bedding sand that go underneath — with waste factor and cost estimate included.
Enter a price per paver to estimate cost.
You might also need:Sand Calculator·Gravel Calculator
How to calculate pavers
base gravel = area × (4″ ÷ 12) ÷ 27 · bedding sand = area × (1″ ÷ 12) ÷ 27
A 12 × 10 ft patio (120 sq ft) in standard 4 × 8 inch pavers needs 540 pavers before waste — order 594 at 10%. Under it: about 1.5 yards of compacted gravel base and 0.37 yards of concrete sand. Get exact base and sand quantities from thegravel and sand calculators.
Pavers per square foot by size
| Paver size | Area each | Pavers per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8″ | 0.22 sq ft | 450 |
| 6 × 6″ | 0.25 sq ft | 400 |
| 6 × 9″ | 0.38 sq ft | 267 |
| 8 × 12″ | 0.67 sq ft | 150 |
| 12 × 12″ | 1.00 sq ft | 100 |
| 18 × 18″ | 2.25 sq ft | 45 |
Build-up checklist
- Excavate 7–8 inches below finished height (more for driveways).
- Compact the subgrade, lay woven geotextile fabric on soft ground.
- Add gravel base in 2-inch lifts, compacting each — 4–6″ total for patios.
- Screed exactly 1″ of concrete sand. Don't compact the sand.
- Lay pavers, cut edges, install edge restraint, then sweep in joint sand and compact.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?+
It depends on paver size: 4×8 inch pavers run 4.5 per square foot; 6×6 inch are 4 per square foot; 6×9 are 2.7; 12×12 inch pavers are 1 per square foot. Always add 5–10% for cuts and breakage.
What goes under pavers?+
The standard build-up is 4–6 inches of compacted gravel base (crushed stone / road base), then 1 inch of concrete sand for bedding, then the pavers. Driveways need 8–12 inches of base. Never lay pavers directly on soil.
How much does a paver patio cost?+
Materials for a DIY paver patio typically run $5–$12 per square foot (pavers, base, sand, edging). Professionally installed, expect $15–$30 per square foot depending on paver choice and site access.
Do I need polymeric sand for paver joints?+
It is optional but recommended: polymeric sand hardens when wetted, locking joints against weeds, ants and washout. One 50 lb bag fills the joints of roughly 50–100 sq ft depending on paver size and gap width.
How much should pavers slope for drainage?+
Slope patios away from the house at about ¼ inch per foot (a 2% grade). A 12-foot-deep patio should drop about 3 inches from house edge to outer edge.