Building materials
Paver Calculator
Work out how many pavers, how much base stone, bedding sand, and polymeric joint sand to order for a patio or walkway, with the base sized past the edges.
Maintained by Austin Witherow · Updated
Pavers to order
594 pavers
- Paver area with extra
- 132 sq ft
- Base stone (tons)
- 5.69 tons
- Base stone (compacted)
- 3.08 yd³
- Bedding sand (tons)
- 0.53 tons
- Bedding sand (volume)
- 0.41 yd³
- Bedding sand bags
- 22 bags
- Polymeric sand, 50 lb
- 2 bags
- Edging
- 44 ft
- Base area
- 151.11 sq ft
- Materials cost
- Add prices
Formula
Area (sq ft) = Length × Width, or π × (Diameter ÷ 2)², or the area enteredPieces per sq ft = 144 ÷ ((Paver length + Joint) × (Paver width + Joint))Pavers = Area × Pieces per sq ft × (1 + Extra pavers ÷ 100), rounded upBase area = (Length + 2 × Edge) × (Width + 2 × Edge), edge in feetBase area (circle) = π × ((Diameter + 2 × Edge) ÷ 2)²Base area (area entered) = Area + Perimeter × Edge + 4 × Edge²Base (yd³, compacted) = Base area × (Base depth ÷ 12) × (1 + Extra ÷ 100) ÷ 27Base tons = Base yd³ × 1.85Sand (cu ft) = Area × (Bedding depth ÷ 12) × (1 + Extra ÷ 100); tons = cu ft × 97 ÷ 2,000Polymeric sand bags = Area ÷ 85 to Area ÷ 65 (joints up to 3/8 in), or Area ÷ 42 to Area ÷ 22 (wider), rounded up
Key caveat
Paver counts assume a single paver size laid over the full area. Multi-size pattern kits are sold by area: use the paver area with extra.
What this calculator is for
A paver patio is three orders, not one: the pavers, the compacted stone base under them, and the sand. This calculator works out all of them from the size of the patio and the paver, including polymeric sand for the joints and the length of edging.
The base is sized larger than the pavers, because installation guides run it past the edges, and its weight uses a compacted density, because the depth you build to is measured after compaction. Depths and coverage come from the paver industry association (CMHA), Oregon State University Extension, and the manufacturers named under each field.
How it works
Area is length times width, π times the radius squared for a circle, or the area you enter.
Pieces per square foot is 144 divided by the paver's length plus joint times its width plus joint, in inches. With a pallet-label figure, that figure is used as is.
Pavers are area × pieces per square foot × (1 + extra pavers ÷ 100), rounded up.
The base area adds the base edge to every side: a rectangle grows by twice the edge each way, a circle by twice the edge across, and an entered area by the perimeter times the edge plus four corner squares.
Base volume is base area × compacted depth ÷ 12, plus the extra percentage. Tons use 1.85 tons per cubic yard for compacted dense-graded base, or your supplier's figure.
Bedding sand covers the paver area only, at the bedding depth, plus the extra. Tons and bags use dry sand at 97 lb/ft³.
Polymeric sand bags are the paver area divided by Alliance Gator's coverage per bag: 65 to 85 sq ft for joints up to 3/8 in, 22 to 42 sq ft for wider joints, rounded up.
Edging is the perimeter of the paver area. Cost adds each price you enter; polymeric sand is priced at the higher bag count.
What the calculator sizes
The base is wider than the pavers, so it is sized from the base area; the bedding sand sits under the pavers only, and the edging is staked into the base rather than the sand (CMHA).
Quick calculator insights
The layers, from the top
- Pavers
- Laid hand tight, then compacted into the sand (CMHA).
- Bedding sand
- 1 in
- Concrete sand to ASTM C33. CMHA says not to use mason sand or stone dust.
- Base
- 4 to 8 in
- Compacted crushed stone, running past the pavers.
- Joints
- 1/16 to 3/16 in
- Filled with joint sand or polymeric sand.
Pavers per square foot by size
144 ÷ (length × width) in inches, with no joint. Check your manufacturer's figure, since actual sizes vary.
| Paver size | Per sq ft | Per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 4.5 | 450 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | 400 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 267 |
| 8 × 8 in | 2.25 | 225 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | 100 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 56 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 25 |
Published base depths
Minimums from each source. Soil, drainage, frost, and traffic can call for more.
| Source | Walks and patios | Driveways |
|---|---|---|
| CMHA Tech Spec 10 | 4 to 6 in | 6 to 8 in |
| Oregon State Extension | 4 to 6 in | Not covered |
| Belgard install guide | 4 to 8 in | Not covered (pedestrian only) |
| Nicolock | 4 to 6 in | 8 to 12 in |
| Unilock Northshore | 6 to 8 in minimum | 6 to 8 in minimum |
How to use this calculator
- 01Measure the paved area in feet, or enter its area and perimeter.
- 02Pick the paver size, or enter the pieces per square foot from the pallet label.
- 03Set the extra pavers for cuts: 5 to 10% per Oregon State, 10% per Nicolock, more for diagonal layouts.
- 04Enter the compacted base depth for your use and how far the base runs past the pavers.
- 05Enter prices if you want a materials cost, then order the pavers, base, sand, polymeric sand, and edging shown.
Inputs explained
- Length and width
- The size of the paved surface in feet, not the base.
- Area and perimeter
- For shapes the rectangle and circle do not fit. The perimeter sizes the base edge and the edging.
- Paver size
- The listed size of one paver. Choose the pallet-label option for the manufacturer's own coverage.
- Joint width
- The gap between pavers, added to each side of a measured paver. It also picks the polymeric sand coverage range.
- Extra pavers
- A percentage added to the paver count for cuts and breakage.
- Base depth (compacted)
- The stone base thickness after compaction.
- Base past the pavers
- How far the base extends beyond the paver edge on every side.
- Base density
- Converts the compacted base volume to tons.
- Bedding sand depth
- The screeded sand layer the pavers sit on.
- Extra base and sand
- A percentage added to both volumes.
- Prices
- Optional. Each one you enter is added to the materials cost.
Outputs explained
- Pavers to order
- Whole pavers including the extra.
- Paver area with extra
- The square feet to order if your pavers or pattern kits are sold by area.
- Base stone (tons)
- The weight to order, at the compacted density. If your supplier sells by the yard instead, ask how many loose yards make this compacted volume.
- Base stone (compacted)
- The finished base volume in cubic yards, sized past the edges.
- Bedding sand
- Tons, cubic yards, or bags at the bag weight you set.
- Polymeric sand
- A range of 50 lb bags from the manufacturer's coverage for your joint width.
- Edging
- The perimeter of the paved area, for edge restraint.
- Base area
- The base footprint, larger than the paved area.
Worked examples
12 × 10 ft patio, 4 × 8 in pavers
- Area = 120 sq ft. A 4 × 8 in paver is 32 sq in, so 144 ÷ 32 = 4.5 pieces per sq ft.
- Pavers = 120 × 4.5 × 1.10 = 594.
- With the base 8 in past every side, the base is 13.33 × 11.33 ft = 151.1 sq ft. At 6 in compacted plus 10%: 83.1 cu ft or 3.08 yd³, which is 5.69 tons at 1.85 tons per yard.
- Bedding sand at 1 in plus 10%: 11 cu ft, 0.41 yd³, 0.53 tons, or 22 bags of 50 lb.
- Polymeric sand: 120 ÷ 85 and 120 ÷ 65 both round up to 2 bags. Edging: 44 ft.
Same patio, measured pavers with 1/8 in joints
- Pieces per sq ft = 144 ÷ (4.125 × 8.125) = 4.30.
- Pavers = 120 × 4.30 × 1.10 = 568, about 26 fewer than with no joint.
Base for a 20 × 10 ft patio (200 sq ft)
- Base area with 8 in each side = 21.33 × 11.33 = 241.8 sq ft.
- At 6 in compacted: 120.9 cu ft or 4.48 yd³, which is 8.28 tons at 1.85 tons per yard, before any extra.
- With 10% extra: 4.93 yd³ or 9.11 tons. Polymeric sand: 3 to 4 bags for narrow joints.
When to use it
- Pricing a paver patio or walkway before getting quotes.
- Ordering base stone and bedding sand in the same delivery as the pavers.
- Checking a contractor's material list.
- Comparing paver sizes for the same area.
Tips
- Use the pieces-per-square-foot figure from the manufacturer when you have it. Two pavers sold as the same size can differ.
- Ask your supplier for the in-place (compacted) tons per cubic yard of their base product and enter it under Custom.
- Polymeric sand coverage depends on joint width and paver height. The ranges here are for 2-3/8 in pavers; check the bag for your product.
- Run circles, curves, and L-shapes as separate pieces, or enter the total area and perimeter.
Limitations
- Paver counts assume a single paver size laid over the full area. Multi-size pattern kits are sold by area: use the paver area with extra.
- For an entered area, the base adds the perimeter times the edge plus four corner squares. That is exact for any outline whose corners are all square, such as an L-shape, and slightly high for curves.
- Base tons use Wisconsin DOT's in-place figure for compacted dense-graded base. Your product may differ; a permeable base of clear stone is lighter and needs a chip-stone bedding instead of sand.
- Alliance Gator gives no coverage for joints between 3/8 and 3/4 in; the calculator uses the wide-joint range for anything over 3/8 in, which errs high. Alliance Gator's Nitro Sand, Nitro-X & Polymeric Sand Simplified Calculator (alliancegator.com) sizes its Nitro and G2 sands from paver length, width, height, and joint width, which is closer if you use one of those products.
- The cost covers materials only. Delivery, edging, tools, and labor are not included.
Methodology & assumptions
- Paver counts use the paver's footprint plus the joint, rounded up to whole pavers after the extra.
- Base depths come from CMHA, Oregon State University Extension, Belgard, Nicolock, and Unilock. Bedding is a nominal 1 in in the CMHA guide spec, Belgard, and Oregon State; CMHA Tech Spec 10 allows 1 to 1-1/2 in.
- Base tons use 1.85 tons per cubic yard for compacted dense-graded base (Wisconsin DOT). Sand uses Engineering ToolBox's dry sand at 97 lb/ft³, since the bedding is screeded loose.
- Polymeric sand coverage is Alliance Gator's published range per 50 lb bag for narrow and wide joints.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-05
- CMHA (ICPI) Tech Spec 10: Application Guide for Interlocking Concrete Pavements
Minimum aggregate base 4 to 6 in for walks and 6 to 8 in for driveways; bedding sand to ASTM C33 screeded 1 to 1-1/2 in uncompacted, not mason sand or stone dust; joints typically 1/16 to 3/16 in.
- CMHA Guide Specification PAV-GSP-011-21: Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavement
Screed bedding sand to a nominal 1 in and do not disturb it; edging spikes at least the base thickness in from the base edge, up to 10 in; compact the pavers into the sand, then sweep and compact joint sand.
- Oregon State University Extension: 10-Step Guide to Installing Pavers
Add 5% pavers for cuts, or 10% with a lot of cutting; base of crushed rock such as 3/4 minus gravel, 4 to 6 inches; spread 1 to 1-1/2 inches of sand and screed to 1 inch; mark the area about 8 inches outside the pavers.
- Belgard: Concrete Pavers Quick Reference Install Guide
For pathways, patios, and pedestrian areas only: 4 to 8 inches of base compacted in 2 to 4 inch lifts, over-excavated at least 6 inches beyond the perimeter; nominal 1 inch uncompacted bedding sand.
- Unilock: Northshore paver installation specification
For driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks: minimum 6 to 8 in of 3/4 in crushed gravel to ASTM D2940 compacted to 98% Standard Proctor Density, with 1 in of coarse sand; or a permeable base of 3/4 in clear open-graded stone with a 1 in bedding of 1/4 in chip stone (ASTM No. 8).
- Nicolock: Getting Paver Sizes Right
Add 10 percent for waste: border cuts, pattern offcuts, and breakage. 4 to 6 in of base for patios and walkways; 8 to 12 in for driveways.
- Alliance Gator: Gator Supersand Bond technical data sheet (June 2, 2025)
One 50 lb bag covers 65 to 85 sq ft with narrow joints (1/8 to 3/8 in) and 22 to 42 sq ft with wide joints (3/4 to 1 in), for pavers 2-3/8 in tall.
- Wisconsin DOT Standard Specifications, Section 305: Dense-Graded Base
Converts completed, compacted (in-place) dense-graded base aggregate at 1.85 tons per cubic yard.
- Engineering ToolBox: Dirt and Mud - Densities
Sand, dry 97 lb/ft³ (bedding sand).
FAQs
How do I calculate how many pavers I need?+
Multiply the area in square feet by the pavers per square foot, then add extra for cuts. Pavers per square foot is 144 divided by the paver's length times width in inches. A 120 sq ft patio in 4 × 8 in pavers is 120 × 4.5 = 540 pavers, or 594 with 10% extra.
How many 12 × 12 pavers do I need for 100 square feet?+
100, since each covers 1 sq ft. With 10% extra for cuts, order 110. A 10 × 10 ft patio is also 100 sq ft, so it needs the same.
How many 24 × 24 pavers for a 10 × 10 patio?+
Each 24 × 24 in paver covers 4 sq ft, so 100 sq ft takes 25. With 10% extra, order 28.
How many 16 × 16 pavers for a 12 × 12 patio?+
A 16 × 16 in paver covers 1.78 sq ft, so 144 sq ft takes 81. With 10% extra, order 90.
How many 20 × 20 pavers do I need?+
A 20 × 20 in paver covers 2.78 sq ft, so 100 sq ft takes 36, or 40 with 10% extra. A 20 × 20 ft patio (400 sq ft) takes 144 of them, or 159 with 10% extra.
How do I figure out how much paver base I need?+
Add the base edge to every side, multiply that area by the compacted depth in feet, and divide by 27 for cubic yards. For tons, multiply by the compacted density: 1.85 tons per cubic yard is Wisconsin DOT's figure for dense-graded base. A 12 × 10 ft patio with 8 in all round at 6 in deep is 151.1 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = 2.80 yd³, or 5.18 tons before any extra.
How much paver base do I need for 200 square feet?+
For a 20 × 10 ft patio at 6 in compacted, with the base 8 in past every side, about 4.5 cubic yards or 8.3 tons before any extra. With 10% extra, about 4.9 cubic yards or 9.1 tons.
How deep should a paver base be?+
CMHA's minimum aggregate base is 4 to 6 inches for walks and 6 to 8 inches for driveways, and more where soil, drainage, frost, or traffic call for it. Oregon State Extension uses 4 to 6 inches, Belgard 4 to 8 inches for pedestrian areas, and Unilock at least 6 to 8 inches.
How many inches of sand go under pavers?+
About 1 inch. CMHA's guide specification, Belgard, and Oregon State Extension use a nominal 1 inch, screeded over the compacted base. CMHA Tech Spec 10 allows 1 to 1-1/2 inches.
How do I calculate how much paver sand I need?+
Multiply the paved area by the bedding depth in feet: 120 sq ft at 1 inch is 120 × 1 ÷ 12 = 10 cubic feet, or 0.37 cubic yards. Bedding sand goes under the pavers only, not under the base edge.
How much sand for a 12 × 12 paver patio?+
At 1 inch, 144 sq ft takes 12 cubic feet (0.44 cubic yards). With 10% extra that is 13.2 cubic feet, about 0.64 tons or 26 bags of 50 lb.
Can I skip the gravel and just use sand under pavers?+
The guides used here do not. CMHA, Oregon State, and Belgard all set pavers on 1 inch of sand over a compacted aggregate base, and CMHA says not to use bedding sand to fill low spots in the base.
Can I just lay pavers on dirt?+
Not in these guides. CMHA describes interlocking pavements as pavers on bedding sand over a compacted aggregate base, built on a compacted soil subgrade.
Can I use 3/4 gravel for paver base?+
It depends which 3/4 gravel. Oregon State names 3/4 minus gravel, and Unilock's standard base is 3/4 in crushed gravel to ASTM D2940, compacted to 98% Standard Proctor Density: both are crushed stone with fines that compact. Clear 3/4 in stone is a different, permeable base; Unilock pairs it with a bedding of 1/4 in chip stone, not sand.
Do you tamp the sand before laying pavers?+
No. CMHA's specification screeds the bedding sand and says not to disturb it. The pavers are laid on the loose sand and then compacted into it with a plate compactor.
What sand goes under pavers?+
CMHA calls for bedding sand meeting ASTM C33, which is concrete sand. It says not to use mason sand or stone dust.
How many square feet does a 50 lb bag of polymeric sand cover?+
Alliance Gator lists 65 to 85 sq ft per 50 lb bag with joints of 1/8 to 3/8 in, and 22 to 42 sq ft with joints of 3/4 to 1 in, for pavers 2-3/8 in tall.
How much polymeric sand do I need for 200 square feet?+
3 to 4 bags of 50 lb with narrow joints (1/8 to 3/8 in), or 5 to 10 bags with wide joints (3/4 to 1 in), using Alliance Gator's coverage.
How much does a paver patio cost?+
It depends on your local prices. Enter the paver, stone, and sand prices you are quoted and the calculator adds them up. Labor and delivery are not included.
Related calculators
Stone Calculator
Work out how much gravel or crushed stone to order for a driveway, path, patio base, or drainage area, in cubic yards, tons, and 50 lb bags.
Sand Calculator
Work out how much sand to order for a paver base, sandbox, or leveling layer, in cubic yards, tons, and bags.
Concrete Block Calculator
Count the standard 8×8×16 concrete blocks and 80 lb bags of mortar needed for a wall, with openings and waste included.
This calculator gives material estimates for a patio or walkway. Follow your paver manufacturer's installation guide and local practice for base depth, especially for driveways or poor soils.