Free Landscape Calculator

Paver Calculator

Calculate exactly how many pavers, cubic yards of base sand and cost for your patio, walkway or driveway. Supports all standard paver sizes with waste factor included.

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Paver Calculator
Pavers, base sand and cost
Project Area
ft
ft
📐 Your Results
—
Square Feet
Project area
—
Pavers Needed
With waste
—
Cu Yards Sand
2" base
Estimated Cost
Avg. $3–$8/sqft installed
$—
💡 Always order 10–15% extra for waste and settling.

📊 Understanding Your Results

Square Feet — Total project area to be paved. Base measurement for ordering pavers.

Pavers Needed — Total paver count including 10% waste for cuts and breakage.

Sand Base — Cubic yards of coarse concrete sand for the 2-inch bedding layer under pavers.

How the Paver Calculator Works

Our paver calculator divides your total project area by individual paver square footage, then adds a waste factor for cuts and breakage. The sand base estimate uses the standard 2-inch bedding layer required for all paver installations.

The Paver Formula

Step 1: Project Area (sq ft) = Length × Width
Step 2: Pavers = (Area ÷ Paver sq ft) × Waste Factor
Step 3: Sand Base (cu yds) = (Area × 2 inches depth) ÷ 27
Step 4: Cost = Area × Price per sq ft

Example: 10×12 ft patio (120 sq ft) with 8×8 inch pavers = 120 ÷ 0.44 = 272 × 1.10 waste = 300 pavers.

Common Paver Sizes and Coverage Guide

Paver SizeSq Ft EachPer 100 Sq FtBest Application
4″ × 8″ Brick0.22 sq ft455 paversWalkways
8″ × 8″ Square0.44 sq ft227 paversPatios
12″ × 12″ Square1.00 sq ft110 paversPatios, stepping stones
24″ × 24″ Slab4.00 sq ft28 paversModern patios

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about paver installation and base preparation.

How many pavers for a 10×10 patio?
Using 8×8 inch pavers: 100 ÷ 0.44 = 227 × 1.10 waste = 250 pavers. Using 12×12 inch pavers: 110 pavers.
How deep should the base be for a paver patio?
7–9 inches total: 4–6 inches compacted gravel base + 1 inch sand bedding + 2.375 inches for the paver. In northern climates with frost, use 6 inches of gravel base.
What is the best paver pattern for a patio?
Running bond — easiest, minimal cuts, classic look. Herringbone — strongest for driveways, requires more cuts. Basketweave — traditional look. For DIY, running bond is recommended.
How much does a paver patio cost per square foot?
DIY materials only: $3–$6/sq ft for concrete pavers. Professional installation: $8–$25/sq ft including base preparation and labor.
Do I need polymeric sand for paver joints?
Highly recommended. Polymeric sand hardens when wet to resist weeds, ants and joint erosion. Lasts 5–10 years vs regular sand which washes out in 1–2 years.

💡 Paver Base Layers

Layer 1: 4–6″ compacted gravel base

Layer 2: 1″ coarse sand bedding

Layer 3: Pavers (2.375″ typical)

Joints: Polymeric sand