Paver Calculator
How many pavers a patio or walkway takes — plus the base gravel and bedding sand underneath them, so the whole material list comes out in one pass.
Result
| Paved area | |
| Pavers per ft² | |
| Base gravel | |
| Bedding sand |
Units & conversions used
Imperial inputs are feet for the area, inches for the paver face and layer depths; volumes are shown in cubic yards (1 yd³ = 27 ft³). Metric inputs are converted first: 1 m = 3.28084 ft, 1 cm = 0.3937 in. The paver count treats each paver's face as covering its full length × width with no joint gap — the standard estimating simplification, with the waste allowance covering joints and cuts.
Formula & source
Pavers = area(ft²) × pavers per ft² × (1 + waste%)
Base or sand volume(yd³) = area(ft²) × depth(in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Source: the count-by-face-area method and the 4 in base / 1 in bedding sand section are the standard residential detail published in interlocking paver installation guides (e.g., ICPI residential practice). Driveways, weak soils and freeze–thaw regions call for deeper bases — this calculator estimates materials, it does not design the pavement section.
Worked example (you can verify by hand)
Input: 10 ft × 10 ft patio, 8 × 4 in pavers, 10% waste, 4 in base, 1 in sand.
- Area: 10 × 10 = 100 ft²
- Pavers per ft²: 144 ÷ (8 × 4) = 4.5
- Pavers before waste: 100 × 4.5 = 450; with 10%: 450 × 1.1 = 495
- Base gravel: 100 × 4 ÷ 12 = 33.3 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.23 yd³
- Bedding sand: 100 × 1 ÷ 12 = 8.3 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.31 yd³
Expected output: 495 pavers, 1.23 yd³ base gravel, 0.31 yd³ bedding sand.
Limitations — what this cannot do
- Joint (polymeric) sand for filling the gaps after laying is not included — it is sold by the bag and estimated from joint width and paver thickness; budget it separately.
- Edge restraints, spikes, geotextile fabric and paver sealer are not counted. Edges on soil or sand bases need restraint to keep the field from creeping.
- Base and sand volumes are compacted/in-place figures. Loose delivered material can bulk differently; suppliers usually quote by the ton or yard — confirm how yours is sold before ordering.
FAQ
How much do concrete pavers cost?
Standard concrete pavers commonly run in the $0.50–$2.00 range each at US home centers (2025–2026) — the 8 × 4 in brick-style paver sits near the low end — with large-format and natural stone pavers costing more. Base gravel and sand are usually priced by the ton or cubic yard delivered; for a typical patio the underground materials are a significant share of the total, so price them with the volumes above, not as an afterthought.
How deep should the base be under pavers?
4 in of compacted gravel base with 1 in of bedding sand is the standard patio and walkway section. Driveways and vehicle areas typically need 6 in or more, and soft or clay soils may need more still plus geotextile. The depths are inputs above, so adjust them to your project's spec.
Is the sand under pavers the same as the sand between them?
No. Underneath is a 1 in layer of coarse bedding sand that the pavers sit in. Between them, after laying, joints are swept with fine jointing sand — often polymeric sand, which hardens when misted. This calculator covers the bedding layer only; joint sand is bagged and estimated separately.
Why 10% waste — can I order exactly the count?
Edges and borders require cut pavers, and some units chip in transit. On a simple rectangular running-bond patio 5–10% is typical; herringbone and other diagonal patterns cut far more pieces and usually need about 15%. Leftover pavers double as future repair stock for a cracked or stained unit.