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.
👤 Who is this for: DIY patio builders, landscapers, driveway installers & outdoor living DIYers.
📊 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 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 Size | Sq Ft Each | Per 100 Sq Ft | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4″ × 8″ Brick | 0.22 sq ft | 455 pavers | Walkways |
| 8″ × 8″ Square | 0.44 sq ft | 227 pavers | Patios |
| 12″ × 12″ Square | 1.00 sq ft | 110 pavers | Patios, stepping stones |
| 24″ × 24″ Slab | 4.00 sq ft | 28 pavers | Modern patios |
📝 Real Project Example
12×12 ft patio, 4×8 in brick pavers:
- Area: 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft
- Pavers: 144 ÷ 0.22 = 655 → +10% waste = ~720 pavers
- Gravel base (4 in): 144 × 0.333 = 48 cu ft = 1.78 → order 2 cubic yards
- Bedding sand (1 in): 144 × 0.083 = 12 cu ft = 0.44 → order 0.5 cubic yards
- Joint sand: 144 ÷ 80 ≈ 2 bags of 50-lb polymeric sand
Skimping on base depth is the #1 cause of paver failure — when in doubt, go 6 inches deep and compact in 2-inch lifts.
📚 Sources & Methodology
How we calculate. Step 1: pavers needed = patio area ÷ area of one paver (e.g. 4×8 in = 0.22 sq ft), plus 10% cutting waste (20% for diagonal or herringbone layouts). Step 2: gravel base = area × base depth (in feet) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Step 3: bedding sand = area × (1/12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Step 4: polymeric joint sand ≈ one 50-lb bag per 80 sq ft.
Cross-checked. Our coverage figures match published paver references (4×8 in → ~455 pavers per 100 sq ft), and our 4–6 inch base-depth guidance for patios matches professional installation guides.
Sources:
- OnlyCalculators — Paver Calculator: Pavers, Sand, Base & Cost (paver size/coverage table, waste allowances)
- Family Handyman — How to Install a Paver Patio Base (4–6 in compacted base depth for patios)
Last updated: October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about paver installation and base preparation.
Related Calculators
⛏️ Gravel Calculator 🏖️ Sand Calculator 🧱 Concrete Calculator 🧱 Retaining Wall Calculator 🏔️ Fill Dirt Calculator💡 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