How to use the paver calculator
Enter the size of your patio or path and choose a paver. The calculator gives the paver count with your extra allowance, and the two layers that go underneath: compacted gravel base and a thin bed of sand. Those layers matter as much as the pavers. Most failed patios fail because the base was too thin, not because of the pavers.
The formula
paver face area (ft²) = paver length (in) × paver width (in) ÷ 144
pavers = patio area ÷ paver face area × (1 + extra %)
base (ft³) = patio area × base depth (ft)
sand (ft³) = patio area × sand depth (ft)
Worked example: a 16 × 12 ft patio of 6 × 9 in pavers
- Patio area: 16 × 12 = 192 ft².
- Each paver covers 6 × 9 ÷ 144 = 0.375 ft².
- Pavers: 192 ÷ 0.375 = 512, plus 10% = 563.2, so 564 pavers.
- Base: 192 × (4 ÷ 12) = 64 ft³ = 2.37 yd³, about 3.4 tons of crusher run.
- Sand: 192 × (1 ÷ 12) = 16 ft³ = 0.59 yd³, about 0.8 tons.
Base and sand depths
| Use | Compacted gravel base | Bedding sand |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway, patio | 4 in minimum | 1 in |
| Patio on weak or wet soil, or in frost country | 6-8 in | 1 in |
| Residential driveway | 6 in minimum, 8-10 in on weak soil | 1 in |
These follow the interlocking concrete paver industry's own construction guide (ICPI Tech Spec 2). Spread the base in lifts and compact each one. The spec allows 4 to 6 inch lifts with a heavy 7,000 lbf plate compactor and thinner lifts with lighter machines, so with a typical rental compactor keep each lift to a few inches.
Step by step
- Mark out the patio and dig deep enough for base + sand + paver thickness (most pavers are 2⅜ in thick), so the finished surface sits where you want it.
- Slope the subgrade about ¼ in per foot away from the house so water runs off.
- Spread and compact the gravel base in lifts.
- Screed 1 in of concrete sand flat using pipes as guides. Don't walk on it.
- Lay the pavers, cut the edges, install edge restraint, then compact the pavers and sweep joint sand in.
Common mistakes
- Too much bedding sand. Sand is for bedding, not leveling. Fix dips in the gravel base instead.
- Forgetting the cuts. Every edge and curve needs cut pieces, and half of each cut paver is waste. Herringbone patterns produce more cuts than a simple running bond.
- Buying all your pavers from different batches. Colour varies between production runs. Buy everything at once and mix from several pallets as you lay.
Questions people ask
How many pavers do I need for a 10x10 patio?
A 10 × 10 ft patio is 100 square feet. With 6 × 9 in pavers (0.375 ft² each) that's 267 pavers, or 294 with 10% extra for cuts and breakage. With 12 × 12 in pavers it's 100, or 110 with extra.
How much extra should I order for pavers?
5% for a simple square or rectangle laid in a running bond, 10% for most patios, and 15% or more for herringbone patterns, curves or lots of cuts around obstacles.
How deep should the base be under pavers?
ICPI Tech Spec 2 calls for at least 4 inches of compacted dense-graded gravel under patios and walkways and at least 6 inches under residential driveways, on well-drained soil, with 1 inch of bedding sand on top. Add 2 to 4 inches more base on weak or wet soil and in cold climates.
How many pavers are in a pallet?
It depends entirely on the paver. A pallet usually covers somewhere between about 80 and 140 square feet. Check the square footage per pallet on the manufacturer's listing and divide your total area by it.
Do I need edge restraint for pavers?
Yes. Without plastic, aluminium or concrete edging spiked into the base, the outer pavers slowly spread and the whole surface loosens. Buy enough for every edge that doesn't butt up against a wall or slab.
Sources and assumptions
- ICPI / CMHA Tech Spec 2: Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavements (base and bedding depths)
- Vulcan Materials bulk material calculators: dense-graded base about 1.45 tons/yd³, sand about 1.35 tons/yd³
- Paver count uses the paver's face size and ignores the narrow joints, which slightly overestimates (a safe direction).
Last reviewed 26 October 2026. Every formula on this page is checked against the worked example above in our automated tests. Found a problem? Tell us.