Paver calculator
Paver calculator: how many pavers, plus base, sand and edging
Divide the patio area by the space one paver takes, joint included: 4 by 8 inch pavers with 1/8 inch joints come to 4.30 per square foot, so a 16 by 12 foot patio needs about 825 before waste. Enter your patio and paver below for the paver count, the paver base and bedding sand in cubic yards, the joint sand, the edge restraint and the cost at your prices. Depths and joint widths come from your paver maker’s installation guide.
Your patio
The paver
Base and bedding · depths from the installation guide
192 sq ft; about 825 pavers before extra.
Cost at your prices
Pavers per square foot by size
With 0.125 inch joints. Change the joint width above to update the table.
| Paver size | Per sq ft | Per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 4.30 | 430 |
| 6 × 6 in | 3.84 | 384 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.58 | 258 |
| 12 × 12 in | 0.98 | 98 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.55 | 55 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 25 |
How to estimate a paver patio
- Measure the area. Length times width; split odd shapes into rectangles and circles.
- Count the pavers. Area ÷ (paver + joint), plus extra for the pattern and cuts.
- Work out the base and bedding. Area × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27 for cubic yards, at the depths in the paver maker’s installation guide.
- Add the joint sand and edging. Joint sand from the joint width and paver thickness; edging along the open sides.
- Price it. Pavers, base, sand and edging at your local prices.
More on the materials: the gravel calculator for base stone in tons, the sand calculator for bedding and joint sand, and the concrete calculator to compare a poured slab. Natural stone instead? The flagstone calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate how many pavers I need?
- Divide the patio area by the space one paver takes, joint included. A 4 by 8 inch paver with 1/8 inch joints takes 4.125 × 8.125 = 33.52 square inches, so a square foot (144 square inches) holds 144 ÷ 33.52 = 4.30 pavers. A 16 by 12 foot patio is 192 square feet, or about 825 pavers before waste.
- How many pavers do I need for a 20 by 20 patio?
- A 20 by 20 foot patio is 400 square feet. Multiply by the pavers per square foot for your paver size: with 4 by 8 inch pavers and 1/8 inch joints that is 400 × 4.30 = about 1,719 pavers, plus extra for cuts and breakage.
- How much paver base do I need?
- Multiply the patio area by the base depth in inches and divide by 12 for cubic feet, then by 27 for cubic yards. 192 square feet at 4 inches is 64 cubic feet, or 2.37 cubic yards, before extra for compaction. Use the depth from the paver maker's installation guide or your contractor.
- How much sand do I need for pavers?
- Two kinds: bedding sand under the pavers (area × bedding depth) and joint sand between them. The calculator works out both; for more on joint sand, see the sand calculator.
- How much does a paver patio cost?
- It depends on the pavers, the base and your area. Enter your price per paver or per square foot, plus your prices for base and sand, and the calculator adds up the materials for your patio.
- How much extra should I order for a herringbone pattern?
- Patterns with more cuts at the edges, such as herringbone or diagonal layouts, waste more than a straight running bond. Set the extra percentage to suit your pattern and the number of edges and curves.
- Do I need edge restraint?
- Most paver installation guides call for an edge restraint around the patio to hold the pavers in place. The calculator gives the length: the patio's perimeter, less any side that butts against a wall or house.
- Is it cheaper to lay concrete or pavers?
- It depends on your prices for each. The concrete calculator prices a slab the same way, so you can compare the two with your local numbers.
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