Paver calculator
Add your areas and pick the paver size. You get the number of pavers with waste for your pattern, the gravel base and bedding sand in yards and tons, and the edging.
Inputs
Result
| Item | Order |
|---|
Pavers per square foot
Common paver sizes and how many cover a square foot, before waste.
| Paver | Per sq ft | Per 100 sq ft with 5% |
|---|
How it is worked out
A 10 by 12 ft patio of 4 by 8 in pavers is 120 sq ft at 4.5 pavers a square foot: 540 pavers, 567 with 5% waste. The 6 in base is 60 cu ft, or 69 with compaction: 2.6 yards and about 3.6 tons of crushed stone. The 1 in of bedding sand is 10 cu ft, about half a ton.
Why the base matters more than the pavers
Pavers fail from below. A base that is too thin, or laid in one thick lift instead of compacted in layers of 2 to 3 in, lets the surface rut and heave within a few winters. Crushed stone with fines compacts hard; rounded pea gravel never does and should not be used as a base. The calculator adds 15% to the base for compaction, the usual allowance; ask your supplier if they recommend more for their material.
Choosing a waste factor
A straight or running-bond layout on a rectangle cuts only at the edges, so 5% is enough. Herringbone and 45° layouts cut every edge course, so allow 10%. Curved borders, circles and lots of corners can need 15%. Keep a few spare pavers from the same batch for future repairs; colours vary between production runs.
Questions
How many pavers do I need?
Divide 144 by the paver's length times its width in inches to get pavers per square foot, multiply by the area, and add waste. For 120 sq ft of 4 by 8 in pavers, that is 540 plus 5%, or 567.
How much base do I need under pavers?
4 to 6 in of compacted crushed stone for patios and walks, 8 to 12 in for driveways, and more on clay or wet ground. For 120 sq ft at 6 in, about 2.6 cubic yards with compaction.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
A 1 in layer of bedding sand: 1 cu ft for every 12 sq ft of patio. Joint sand, usually polymeric, is extra and sold by the bag; the coverage is on the bag and depends on joint width.
How many 4x8 pavers are in a square foot?
4.5. A 6x6 paver is 4 per square foot, a 12x12 one, and a 24x24 a quarter.
How much extra should I order for pavers?
5% for straight layouts, 10% for herringbone or diagonal, 15% for curves. Keep the leftovers for repairs.
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