Paver Calculator

Calculate how many pavers, how much base gravel and how much bedding sand you need for a patio, walkway or driveway.

Feet + inches
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Calculator

Length

Width

Paver size

What is it for?

Extra for cuts and breakage

5% for straight lay, 10–15% for herringbone or curves

Price per paver (optional)

Pavers needed

713

144 sq ft · 4.5 pavers per sq ft

Gravel base (6")

4 tons

2.67 cu yd of compactable base

Bedding sand (1")

0.44 cu yd

24 bags of 0.5 cu ft

How it works Formula, reference tables and pro tips

Pavers per square foot by size

Paver size	Per sq ft	Per 100 sq ft (+10%)
4" × 8"	4.50	496
6" × 6"	4.00	441
6" × 9"	2.67	294
12" × 12"	1.00	111
16" × 16"	0.56	62
24" × 24"	0.25	28

The layers of a paver patio

Excavation: dig deep enough for base + sand + paver thickness. For a patio with 2⅜" pavers that is roughly 9 inches.
Geotextile fabric (optional, recommended on clay): keeps the base from mixing into the soil.
Base: 4–6" of compactable crushed stone (3/4" minus, also called road base or crusher run), compacted in lifts of 2–4" with a plate compactor.
Bedding sand: 1" of coarse concrete sand, screeded flat. Do not compact it before laying the pavers.
Pavers and joints: lay the pavers, compact them, then sweep polymeric sand into the joints.

Slope the finished surface away from the house, about 1/4 inch per foot, so water drains off.

Quick answers

How many pavers are in a square foot?

Divide 144 by the paver's area in square inches. A 4 × 8 in brick paver covers 32 sq in, so 4.5 pavers fill a square foot. A 12 × 12 in paver is exactly 1 per square foot.

How deep should the base be for a paver patio?

For walkways and patios, 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone base, topped with 1 inch of coarse bedding sand. Driveways need a thicker base, commonly 8 inches or more, and more on soft or clay soil.

How much extra should I buy?

About 5% for a straight running bond on a simple rectangle, and 10–15% for herringbone, diagonal layouts or curved edges, since they need many more cuts.

Can I lay pavers on sand only?

Not for a lasting patio. Sand alone shifts and washes out. The compacted gravel base carries the load and drains water; the thin sand layer only lets you set the pavers level.

How much polymeric sand do I need?

It depends on the paver size and joint width, so use the coverage chart on the bag. Smaller pavers have more joints and need more polymeric sand per square foot.

Sources

Unilock – Paver base preparation

Last reviewed November 2, 2026.

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These calculators give estimates for planning and shopping. Product yields, densities and coverage vary by brand and site conditions, so check the label and your supplier. For structural work, follow your local building code and permit requirements.