Paver / Patio Calculator
Find how many pavers your patio needs, plus compacted base, sand, edging, and jointing sand, with cost.
How to use the paver calculator
- 1
Enter your patio's length and width in feet or meters.
- 2
Choose a paver size (or enter a custom one) and a laying pattern, which sets a sensible default waste factor.
- 3
Turn on base, sand & edging to size the compacted base, sand setting bed, jointing sand, and edge restraint, and optionally turn on cost.
- 4
Your paver count and all supporting materials appear instantly and update as you adjust any field.
How paver quantities are calculated
A paver patio is really two estimates layered on top of each other: the pavers themselves, and the base structure that keeps them flat and stable for years. Here's exactly how the calculator arrives at each number:
- Patio area = length × width
- Area with waste = area × (1 + waste factor)
- Pavers needed = area with waste ÷ paver coverage, rounded up
- Compacted base volume = area × base depth ÷ 27 (cubic yards)
- Base material to order = compacted volume × 1.2 (accounts for ~20% compaction)
- Sand setting bed volume = area × sand depth ÷ 27 (cubic yards)
Worked example: A 16 ft × 12 ft patio is 192 sq ft. With a 10% waste factor for a straight pattern, that's 211.2 sq ft to cover. At 1 sq ft per 12×12 in paver, you'd need 211.2 ÷ 1 = 211.2 pavers — rounded up to 212. For the base, 192 sq ft at a 4-inch (0.33 ft) compacted depth is 192 × 0.33 ÷ 27 ≈ 2.37 cubic yards compacted, so you'd order about 2.37 × 1.2 ≈ 2.85 cubic yards of loose base material to allow for compaction.
Paver size and base material reference
| Paver size | Coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 6 × 6 in | 0.25 sq ft | Intricate patterns, curves, borders |
| 6 × 9 in | 0.375 sq ft | Classic patio, walkways |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 sq ft | Most patios; simple math, fast install |
| 16 × 16 in | 1.78 sq ft | Large open patios, fewer joints |
| Layer | Typical depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compacted base | 4 in (patio), 6-8 in (driveway) | Crushed stone, compacted in lifts |
| Sand setting bed | 1 in | Screeded flat, not compacted |
| Jointing sand | Fills joint gaps | ~1 bag (50 lb) per 80 sq ft |
Tips for a patio that lasts
Compact the base in layers ("lifts") of no more than 2 inches at a time rather than dumping the full depth and compacting once — a plate compactor can't fully densify a thick, loose layer in a single pass, and a poorly compacted base is the single biggest cause of pavers settling or shifting later.
Slope the patio slightly away from your house — a common standard is about a 1-2% grade (roughly 1/4 inch of drop per foot) — so rainwater drains off the surface instead of pooling against your foundation.
It's almost always worth rounding up to the next full paver and keeping a few spares after the job — matching a discontinued color or batch later can be difficult if you need to replace a cracked paver down the road.
Planning the base layer under your patio? Our Gravel Calculator can help you price out the crushed stone by the ton if you're sourcing it separately from a bulk supplier.
Building a wood deck instead of a paver patio? Try the Deck Material Calculator →
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
How to figure out exactly how many pavers a patio needs, why laying pattern changes the waste factor, and how paver size affects the count.
Read the guide →The difference between the compacted base and the sand setting bed under a paver patio, why both matter, and what happens if you skip one.
Read the guide →Why polymeric sand is the standard choice for filling paver joints over regular jointing sand, how it works, and how much you'll need.
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