How Many Pavers Do I Need?

Calculate the number of paver stones for your project area.

PATIO AREA PAVERS SAND 1" BASE 4-6" CROSS SECTION

Pavers Needed

TIP: Always order 10% extra for cuts, waste, and future repairs. Complex patterns (herringbone, basketweave) may require 15% extra. Curved edges need more cuts — budget 15-20% waste.

Paver Base Material Calculator

Calculate crushed stone / gravel needed for the paver base layer.

Base Material Results

COMPACTION: Add 10% extra to account for compaction. Base should be compacted in 2-3" lifts using a plate compactor. Geotextile fabric underneath prevents gravel from mixing with subsoil. Use 3/4" minus crushed stone for best compaction.

Paver Sand Calculator

Calculate bedding sand (leveling) and polymeric sand (joints) needed.

Sand Results

SAND TYPES: Bedding sand = coarse concrete sand (ASTM C33) for the leveling layer under pavers. Polymeric sand = fills joints, hardens when wet to prevent weeds and ant hills. Use polymeric for all projects — it's worth the extra cost.

Paver Patio Cost Calculator

Estimate total project cost including pavers, base, sand, and labor.

Paver Project Cost Estimate

SAVE MONEY: DIY paver installation saves $6-$12/sq ft in labor (40-60% of total cost). Concrete pavers are the most affordable. Buy pavers by the pallet for 10-20% discount. Off-season installation (fall/winter) may get lower labor rates.

Paver Reference Guide

Common Paver Sizes & Coverage

Size (in) Sq Ft Each Pavers/Sq Ft Per Pallet Pallet Coverage
4×8 0.222 4.5 ~540 ~120 sq ft
6×6 0.250 4.0 ~480 ~120 sq ft
6×9 0.375 2.67 ~320 ~120 sq ft
8×8 0.444 2.25 ~270 ~120 sq ft
12×12 1.000 1.0 ~120 ~120 sq ft
16×16 1.778 0.56 ~68 ~121 sq ft
24×24 4.000 0.25 ~30 ~120 sq ft

Base Depth Recommendations

Application Base Depth Sand Total Prep Depth
Walkway (foot traffic only) 4" 1" 5" + paver
Patio (standard) 6" 1" 7" + paver
Driveway (passenger cars) 8-10" 1" 9-11" + paver
Heavy vehicle driveway 12" 1" 13" + paver

Paver Pattern Waste Factors

Pattern Waste Factor Difficulty
Running Bond / Stack Bond 5-8% Easy
Herringbone (90°) 10-12% Medium
Herringbone (45°) 12-15% Hard
Basketweave 8-10% Medium
Circular / Fan 15-20% Hard

Paver Calculator Guide

Our paver calculator helps you determine exactly how many pavers you need, how much base material and sand to order, and what your project will cost. Works for patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks.

How to Calculate Pavers Needed

The formula: Number of Pavers = Area (sq ft) ÷ Paver Area (sq ft) × (1 + waste%). Measure your project area, select your paver size, and add 10% for waste. For herringbone patterns, add 12-15%.

Paver Base Calculator

The paver base (crushed stone) should be 4-6 inches deep for patios and 8-12 inches for driveways. Formula: Cubic yards = Area (sq ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27. One cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs). Add 10% for compaction.

Paver Sand Calculator

Bedding sand (1" layer) goes on top of the compacted base. Polymeric sand fills the joints between pavers. For bedding: Area × 1/12 ft ÷ 27 = cubic yards. For polymeric sand: typically 1 bag (50 lb) per 30-50 sq ft depending on joint width.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a paver patio cost?+
Average paver patio cost: $10-$25 per sq ft installed. Materials: $3-$8/sq ft for pavers + $2-$4/sq ft for base/sand. Labor: $6-$12/sq ft. A 200 sq ft patio: $2,000-$5,000 total. DIY saves 40-60% — materials only cost $1,000-$2,500.
How deep should paver base be?+
Patios: 4-6" compacted base + 1" sand. Driveways: 8-12" base + 1" sand. Deeper base needed for clay soils or freeze-thaw areas. Compact in 2-3" lifts. Use geotextile fabric between subgrade and base.
What kind of sand for pavers?+
Bedding sand: Coarse, concrete-grade sand (ASTM C33). Do NOT use fine play sand. Joint sand: Polymeric sand is best — it hardens when wet, prevents weeds, resists ants, and won't wash out. Regular joint sand is cheaper but needs re-application.