Paver Calculator
Count the pavers, base stone and bedding sand needed for your patio or walkway.
What you'll need to order
- pavers
- crusher run base
- coarse bedding sand
- polymeric joint sand
- edge restraint
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
pavers = (area ÷ paver area) × 1.05
Paver area comes from length times width in inches divided by 144. The 5% allowance covers cuts at edges and curves — raise it to 10% for a herringbone or diagonal pattern, which wastes far more.
Switch the site to metric — the control is in the footer — and your inputs, your results and the tables below follow. The formula, the constants, the guidance text and the sources stay in US units on purpose: that is how the standards they come from are written, and restating them would detach each figure from the document you are meant to be able to check it against.
Where these numbers come from
- ASTM C936/C936M (Solid Concrete Interlocking Paving Units) 2023 — paving unit dimensional tolerances
Check the edition. Codes are amended every few years, and the one your inspector works from may not be the one named above.
Worked example
With area length 20 ft, area width 12 ft, paver length 8 in, paver width 4 in, this calculator returns 1134 .
Waste allowance
The headline figure includes a 5% allowance for waste and over-ordering. The exact requirement is shown alongside it.
Pavers needed for patios and paths of common size
Every row here opens the calculator already filled in. Copy that link and the numbers travel with it.
| Job | Size | Pavers needed |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 30 ft × 3 ft × 8 in × 4 in | 425.3 |
| Small patio | 12 ft × 10 ft × 8 in × 4 in | 567.0 |
| Large patio | 20 ft × 16 ft × 12 in × 12 in | 336.0 |
| Driveway apron | 20 ft × 12 ft × 8 in × 4 in | 1,134 |
| Fire pit surround | 14 ft × 14 ft × 8 in × 4 in | 926.1 |
Five percent covers a straight lay. Herringbone and diagonal patterns cut far more — allow ten.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
Divide 144 by the paver area in square inches. A 4 by 8 inch paver covers 32 sq in, so 4.5 pavers per square foot. A 12 by 12 inch paver is exactly one per square foot.
How thick should the base be under pavers?
Four to six inches of compacted crusher run for a patio or walkway, and 8 to 12 inches for a driveway. Compact in lifts of 4 inches or less — a single deep lift never compacts through.
How much bedding sand goes under pavers?
Exactly one inch, screeded flat and never compacted before laying. Thicker sand ruts under traffic and the pavers settle unevenly. Use coarse concrete sand, not fine mason sand.
How much extra should I order for cuts?
Five percent for a running bond or stack pattern in a rectangular area. Ten percent for herringbone, diagonal layouts or anything with curves — the offcuts from angled cuts are rarely reusable.