Paver Calculator
Estimate how many pavers you need for a patio or walkway based on the area size and the dimensions of a single paver.
How this is calculated
Area is calculated from the shape you select — rectangle (length × width), circle (π × radius²), triangle (½ × base × height), circular ring (π × (outer radius² − inner radius²)), or trapezoid (average of the two parallel sides × width) — then converted to square inches and divided by the footprint of a single paver to get the base paver count. We add your selected waste percentage to account for cuts along edges, borders, and breakage, then round up to the nearest whole paver. This estimate assumes a simple running or basket-weave layout without a border course, which may need extra full pavers.
The material weights, waste allowances, and rounding rules behind every calculator are documented on our methodology page.
Example calculation
Pavers needed per 100 square feet
If you know your paver size, this table gives a quick check on the calculator's output. The count is for 100 ft² of paved area, with and without a 10% allowance for cuts and breakage. Pavers are often priced and stocked by the square foot, so convert using the footprint if your supplier quotes that way.
| Paver size | Footprint | Pavers per 100 ft² | With 10% waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in brick | 32 in² | 450 | 496 |
| 6 × 6 in | 36 in² | 400 | 441 |
| 6 × 9 in | 54 in² | 267 | 294 |
| 12 × 8 in | 96 in² | 150 | 165 |
| 12 × 12 in | 144 in² | 100 | 111 |
| 16 × 16 in | 256 in² | 57 | 62 |
| 24 × 24 in | 576 in² | 25 | 28 |
Actual dimensions vary by manufacturer, and many pavers have beveled edges or spacer lugs. Use the size on the spec sheet.
Base and sand: what goes under the pavers
A paver patio is only as good as what is underneath it. The standard system is a compacted crushed-stone base, a thin screeded layer of bedding sand, the pavers, edge restraints, and joint sand swept between the stones.
| Layer | Patio or walkway | Driveway |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation depth | 7–9 in below finished height | 12–16 in below finished height |
| Compacted base (crushed stone) | 4–6 in | 8–12 in |
| Bedding sand | 1 in | 1 in |
| Paver thickness | 2 3/8 in (60 mm) typical | 3 1/8 in (80 mm) typical |
Soft clay, high water tables, and freezing climates call for a deeper base. Ask a local paver supplier what works in your area.
For example, a 12 × 10 ft patio (120 ft²) with a 4 in base needs about 1.48 yd³ of crushed stone, and the 1 in sand layer needs about 0.37 yd³. Compaction reduces the volume of loose stone, so order roughly 15–25% more base than the flat figure. Use the gravel calculator to size that order.
Patterns and how much waste to expect
| Pattern | Typical waste | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Running bond or stack bond | 5–10% | Mostly full pavers, with cuts only at the edges |
| Basket weave | 5–10% | Square groupings line up with simple edges |
| Herringbone (45° or 90°) | 10–15% | Every edge piece needs an angled cut |
| Circular or curved layouts | 15–20% | Cuts all around the curve |
| Pavers with a soldier-course border | Add a border count | Count border pavers along the perimeter separately |
Order everything from one production lot where you can, because slight color variation between lots can show.
Borders, edge restraints, and drainage
- A soldier course is a row of pavers set on end along the perimeter. Divide the perimeter in feet by the paver's width in feet to count them, and subtract those from the field area.
- Edge restraints are not optional. Without them the outer pavers drift outward and the joints open. Plastic, aluminum, or concrete restraints are staked or set along every free edge.
- Slope the surface away from the house about 1/4 in per foot (roughly 2%). On a 12 ft run, that is a 3 in drop. A flat patio holds water and heaves in frost.
- Sweep polymeric or fine kiln-dried sand into the joints after compacting, then sweep again after a few weeks as it settles. Check the bag for coverage, since it depends on paver size and joint width.
Planning checklist before you order
- Mark the outline with stakes and string, then measure each section separately and add them. Subtract planters, fire pits, or anything you will leave unpaved.
- Pavers are typically sold by the pallet, and a pallet covers a fixed area. Ask for the exact square feet per pallet and round up to full pallets.
- Mix pavers from several pallets as you lay them. That blends color and texture variation instead of creating visible patches.
- Keep a few extra pavers from the same lot after the job for future repairs, since the same color may not be available later.
- Rent a plate compactor. Hand tamping does not reach the density a base needs to stay flat.
Related calculators
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Use the "Area shape" dropdown to switch to circle, triangle, circular ring, or trapezoid. Each shape shows the measurements it needs and the area formula used is shown in the breakdown.