Paver & Patio Calculator
Calculate how many pavers, bags of sand, gravel base, and edging you need for your patio, walkway, or driveway.
How to Calculate Pavers
Measure your project area in square feet, then divide by the area of one paver to find how many you need. Add a waste factor based on your laying pattern — simple stack bond needs 5%, herringbone needs 10%, and circular patterns need 15%. Don't forget the base materials: a compacted gravel base and a sand bedding layer are essential for a long-lasting installation.
Common Paver Sizes
| Paver Size | Area per Paver | Pavers per Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4×8 in (brick) | 0.22 sq ft | 4.5 |
| 6×6 in | 0.25 sq ft | 4.0 |
| 6×9 in | 0.375 sq ft | 2.7 |
| 12×12 in | 1.0 sq ft | 1.0 |
| 16×16 in | 1.78 sq ft | 0.56 |
| 24×24 in | 4.0 sq ft | 0.25 |
Base Material Guide
A solid base is the most important part of any paver project. Use crushed gravel (3/4-inch minus or "road base") compacted in 2-inch lifts. Walkways and patios need 4 inches of base, while driveways need 6–8 inches. Top the gravel with 1 inch of coarse bedding sand (not play sand) screeded perfectly flat before laying pavers.
Tips for Your Paver Project
- Always excavate 7–9 inches below finished grade to fit gravel base + sand + paver thickness.
- Compact the gravel base with a plate compactor in 2-inch layers for maximum stability.
- Use paver edge restraint (plastic or aluminum) staked into the ground to prevent pavers from shifting.
- Sweep polymeric sand into joints after laying, mist with water to activate, and it hardens to lock pavers together.
- Slope the patio away from your house at a 1% grade (1/8 inch per foot) for proper drainage.
- Order 5–15% extra pavers and save the leftovers for future repairs — matching colors later can be difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
The number of pavers per square foot depends on the paver size. For 6x6-inch pavers, you need 4 per square foot. For 4x8-inch brick pavers, you need 4.5 per square foot. For 12x12-inch pavers, you need 1 per square foot. Always add 5-15% extra for cuts and waste depending on your laying pattern.
For a DIY paver patio, materials cost $3-$8 per square foot for concrete pavers and base materials, or $8-$15 for natural stone. A typical 12x12-foot patio (144 sq ft) costs $400-$1,200 in materials. Professional installation runs $12-$25 per square foot total. The base materials (gravel and sand) typically account for 30-40% of the material cost.
Walkways and patios need a 4-inch compacted gravel base, topped with 1 inch of bedding sand. Driveways need 6-8 inches of gravel base because they support heavier loads. In areas with clay soil or poor drainage, increase the base by 2 inches. The gravel should be compacted in 2-inch layers using a plate compactor for maximum stability.
Sealing pavers is optional but recommended. Sealer enhances color, protects against stains, and helps prevent weed growth between joints. Apply sealer after the pavers have been down for 30-60 days to allow any efflorescence to dissipate. Reapply every 2-3 years. Polymeric sand in the joints also helps prevent weeds and insect intrusion without sealing.
You need a 1-inch layer of coarse bedding sand (also called concrete sand or C-33 sand) spread evenly under the pavers. For a 100 sq ft area, that equals about 0.31 cubic yards or roughly 12 fifty-pound bags of sand. Do not use play sand or fine sand, as it does not compact properly and can shift over time.