Paver Patio Calculator
Count the pavers plus the sand and gravel base for a patio, from its area and paver size, with waste and cost.
How it works
pavers = patio area ÷ one paver’s area × (1 + waste%) · sand = area × 1 in · base = area × 4 in, ÷ 27 for cu yd
Paver count is the patio area divided by the face area of a single paver, then padded for the cut pieces along curved and angled edges. A proper patio also needs two hidden layers underneath: about a 1 in bed of coarse sand the pavers sit in, and a compacted gravel base of 4 in or so (deeper under vehicle loads) that carries the weight and drains water. Both base layers are volumes — area times thickness — converted to cubic yards for ordering.
Worked example
A 16 × 12 ft patio is 192 sq ft. An 8×4 in paver covers (8÷12)×(4÷12) = 0.222 sq ft, so 192 ÷ 0.222 = 864 pavers; add 8% waste → 934. The base needs 192 × (1÷12) ÷ 27 = 0.59 cu yd of sand and 192 × (4÷12) ÷ 27 = 2.37 cu yd of gravel.
Frequently asked questions
How thick should the paver base be?
For a walkway or patio, 4–6 in of compacted gravel over firm subgrade plus a 1 in sand setting bed is typical. Driveways and anything carrying vehicles need a thicker base — often 8–12 in — because the load is far higher.
Why so much waste on pavers?
Straight patios waste little, but any curve, diagonal or border forces you to cut pavers, and the offcuts are usually unusable. Eight to ten percent covers most layouts; add more for herringbone patterns and rounded edges.
What sand goes between and under pavers?
Use coarse concrete or bedding sand for the 1 in setting layer beneath the pavers. Joints between pavers are filled separately with polymeric jointing sand, which hardens to lock the pavers and resist weeds and washout.
Related calculators
Estimates only — add for waste and confirm against local building codes and supplier specs.