How to use the paver calculator
- Measure the area in feet, or enter the square footage and the length of the edges if the shape is irregular.
- Enter the paver size in inches. Common sizes are 4 × 8 (brick pavers), 6 × 6, 6 × 9 and 12 × 12.
- Set the base depth. 4 inches of compacted gravel is typical for patios and walkways; driveways need 6 to 8 inches.
- Keep the 1 inch sand bed. Pavers are set on a screeded layer of coarse concrete sand.
Paver formulas
Pavers = area × pavers per sq ft × (1 + waste %)
Base (cu yd) = area × base depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Sand (cu yd) = area × sand depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Worked example
A 16 × 12 ft patio is 192 sq ft. With 4 × 8 inch pavers (4.5 per sq ft) that is 864 pavers, or 951 with 10% waste for cuts. The 4 inch gravel base is 2.37 cubic yards (about 3.3 tons), the 1 inch sand bed is 0.59 cubic yards (about 0.8 tons), and you need 56 ft of edge restraint around the outside.
Pavers per square foot by size
| Paver size | Per sq ft | Per 100 sq ft (no waste) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 4.5 | 450 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | 400 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 267 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | 100 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 56 |
Base depth by use
| Use | Compacted gravel base |
|---|---|
| Walkways and patios | 4 in |
| Patios on clay or wet soil | 6 in |
| Driveways for cars | 6 to 8 in |
Compact the base in 2 inch lifts with a plate compactor. Use our gravel calculator for other base materials, and finish the joints with polymeric sand.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need for a 12x12 patio?
A 12 × 12 ft patio is 144 sq ft. With 4 × 8 inch pavers that is 648 pavers, or about 713 with 10% waste. With 12 × 12 inch pavers it is 144, or about 159 with waste.
How much gravel do I need under pavers?
For a patio, plan on 4 inches of compacted gravel base. That is about 1.23 cubic yards (around 1.7 tons) per 100 square feet.
How much sand goes under pavers?
A 1 inch bedding layer of coarse sand, which is about 0.31 cubic yards per 100 square feet.
How much extra pavers should I buy?
Add 5% for simple rectangles and 10% to 15% for curves, circles, herringbone patterns and areas with many cuts.
Do pavers need edge restraint?
Yes. Plastic, aluminum or concrete edging around the outside keeps pavers from spreading. Measure the full perimeter, except where the patio meets the house.
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Last updated October 2026.