Paver Calculator
- Updated
- Imperial and metric
- Free, no sign-up
Results
567 pavers for 120 ft²
How to use the paver calculator
- Measure each area to pave. Split L-shapes and curves into rectangles, circles and triangles and add each one with + Add area.
- Pick the paver size, or choose Custom size and enter the length and width as laid. Compare the result with the pavers per ft² on the manufacturer's spec sheet.
- Choose the laying pattern. It sets a typical waste allowance for cuts, which you can change.
- Check the base depth, the bedding sand depth and how far the base extends past the edges. Enter the polymeric sand coverage printed on the bag you plan to buy.
- Optionally add a price per paver or per square foot to estimate the paver cost.
Paver calculation formula
Base (ft³) = (Area + Perimeter × Base overhang) × Base depth × (1 + compaction %)
Bedding sand (ft³) = Area × Sand depth × (1 + 10%)
Tons = ft³ ÷ 27 × Density (tons per yd³)
Polymeric sand bags = Area ÷ Coverage per bag
Base weight uses 1.5 tons per cubic yard for crusher run and 1.35 for dry sand, the same typical figures as the gravel calculator. Pavers and bags are always rounded up. The base is wider than the paving so the edge restraint sits on compacted stone; corners are not added, which makes a small difference on most patios.
Worked example: a 12 × 16 ft patio
A 12 × 16 ft patio is 192 ft² with a 56 ft perimeter. In 4 × 8 in pavers (4.5 per ft²) that is 864 pavers to cover the area, or 908 with 5% extra for a running bond. A herringbone pattern at 10% would need 951.
With the base extending 6 in past each edge, it covers 220 ft². At 4 in compacted plus 15% for compaction, that is 3.12 yd³, or about 4.69 tons of crusher run. A 1 in sand bed with 10% extra is 17.6 ft³, about 0.88 tons or 36 bags of 0.5 ft³. At 50 ft² per bag the joints take 4 bags of polymeric sand, and you need 56 ft of edge restraint, less any side that runs along the house.
Pavers per square foot and per square meter
Counts use the nominal size. Pavers are often made slightly smaller than nominal so the joints fit, which is why the manufacturer's coverage figure is the one to trust if it differs.
| Paver size | Per ft² | Per 100 ft² + 5% | Per 100 ft² + 10% | Per 100 ft² + 15% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (brick-style) | 4.5 | 473 | 495 | 518 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | 420 | 440 | 460 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 280 | 294 | 307 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | 105 | 110 | 115 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 60 | 62 | 65 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| Paver size | Per m² | Per 10 m² + 5% | Per 10 m² + 10% | Per 10 m² + 15% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 × 100 mm | 50 | 526 | 551 | 576 |
| 300 × 300 mm | 11.11 | 117 | 123 | 128 |
| 400 × 400 mm | 6.25 | 66 | 69 | 72 |
| 600 × 600 mm | 2.78 | 30 | 31 | 32 |
The waste columns match the pattern presets: running bond or straight 5%, herringbone 10%, circular or fan 15%.
Base and sand per 100 ft² (10 m²)
| Layer | Per 100 ft² | Per 10 m² |
|---|---|---|
| Crusher run base, 4 in (10 cm) compacted | 2.13 tons (1.42 yd³) | 2.05 t (1.15 m³) |
| Crusher run base, 6 in (15 cm) compacted | 3.19 tons (2.13 yd³) | 3.07 t (1.72 m³) |
| Bedding sand, 1 in (2.5 cm) | 0.46 tons (19 × 0.5 ft³ bags) | 0.44 t (11 × 25 L bags) |
Base figures include 15% for compaction and sand includes 10% extra, with no overhang. These depths are typical for patios and walkways on firm, well-drained ground. Driveways need 6 in (15 cm) or more, and clay soils, poor drainage or frost often call for a deeper base. The paver manufacturer's installation guide has the depths for its products.
Tips for a paver patio
- Dig deep enough. Excavate to the base depth plus the sand bed plus the paver thickness. Many standard pavers are about 2⅜ in (60 mm) thick; pavers made for driveways are often about 3⅛ in (80 mm).
- Compact in layers. Spread and compact the base a few inches at a time with a plate compactor rather than all at once.
- Slope it away from the house. A common rule of thumb is 1/8 to 1/4 in of fall per foot (about 1–2%) so water runs off.
- Use coarse sand for the bed. Washed concrete sand is the usual choice. Screed it to an even depth and do not walk on it before laying.
- Buy everything at once. Color can vary between production runs, so order all the pavers together and keep a few spares for repairs.
- Building a raised patio? Use the retaining wall calculator for the wall, and the gravel calculator for any extra fill.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
It depends on the size as laid. 4 × 8 in pavers take 4.5 per square foot, 6 × 6 in take 4, 6 × 9 in about 2.67, 12 × 12 in 1, 16 × 16 in about 0.56 and 24 × 24 in 0.25. In metric, 200 × 100 mm pavers take 50 per square meter. Add 5% to 15% for cuts depending on the pattern, and check the manufacturer's spec sheet, which lists the coverage for each product.
How much gravel base do I need under pavers?
Patios and walkways typically use 4 inches (10 cm) of compacted crusher run, and driveways 6 inches (15 cm) or more. For a 10 × 12 ft patio with the base extending 6 inches past the edges, 4 inches compacted plus 15% for compaction is about 2 cubic yards, or 3 tons at 1.5 tons per yard. Soft, clay or poorly drained soils may need a deeper base.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
The bedding layer is usually 1 inch (2.5 cm) of coarse concrete sand, screeded flat. 100 sq ft at 1 inch is 8.3 cubic feet; with 10% extra that is about 0.46 tons, or 19 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. Joint sand is separate and is swept in after the pavers are laid.
How many bags of polymeric sand do I need?
Coverage varies widely with joint width, joint depth and paver size, so the bag is the best guide. Narrow joints between large pavers use far less than wide joints between small or tumbled pavers. The calculator assumes 50 sq ft per 50 lb bag by default, which gives 3 bags for a 10 × 12 ft patio; change it to the figure printed on the product you buy.
How much extra should I order for paver waste?
As a rule of thumb, add about 5% for running bond or straight patterns, 10% for herringbone and 15% for circular or fan patterns, because they need more cuts at the edges. Add more for curves, many corners or inlays. Buy the whole order at once, since color can vary between production runs, and keep a few spares for repairs.