Paver Calculator: How Many Pavers, plus Base Stone and Sand for a Patio
Count the pavers for a patio, plus base stone, bedding sand, joint sand and edge restraint, layer by layer. Add waste and see a purchase list in tons or tonnes. Feet or metres. Runs in your browser.
Material quantity estimate only. It is not a structural, drainage or building-code check. Values marked UNSOURCED are built-in defaults that no paver or aggregate maker has confirmed here: check the base depth with the paver maker and the stone yield with your supplier.
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Nothing is sent until you press Send. Your measurements are included only if you tick the box, and you can see the full report below first.
When to use this
- You are planning a paver patio or walkway and want the number of pavers to order.
- You also want the base stone, bedding sand and joint sand as one purchase list.
- You want the layers shown in a section so you can check the depth of the excavation.
How to use
- Choose feet or metres. Type the patio length and width, or an area for an odd shape.
- Enter the paver size and thickness, the joint width and the waste.
- Set the base stone and bedding sand depths and the compaction allowance. Change the stone and sand weights if your supplier gives them.
- Press Calculate patio materials. Read the buy list and the drawing.
- Copy the list or the link to this plan. For a loose gravel path or driveway use the gravel tool.
Examples
- 12 x 10 ft patio, 6 x 9 in pavers, 1/8 in joints, 4 in base, 1 in sand: 120 ft² needs 309 pavers, so 341 with 10 percent waste. The 4 in base is 46 ft³ with compaction, about 2.4 tons, and the bedding sand is about 0.55 tons.
- 20 x 15 ft patio, 12 x 12 in pavers, 90 per pallet: 300 ft² needs 288 pavers and 303 with 5 percent waste, which is 4 pallets. The edge restraint for 70 ft is 7 lengths of 10 ft.
Understanding the result
The pavers are counted on a grid of paver plus joint, then the waste is added and the total is rounded up. The base stone and bedding sand are the area times the depth you chose; the base gets an extra allowance because loose stone settles when compacted. Joint sand is the volume of the joints filled to the paver thickness. Volumes are turned into weight with the bulk weights shown in the assumptions, which are typical values and not your supplier's.
Limitations
- This is a material quantity estimate. It is not a design for soil, drainage, frost, load or local rules.
- The right base depth depends on soil, climate and use. Ask the paver maker or a local contractor.
- Curved edges, steps and borders are not modelled; type your own area for them and add waste.
- Weights of stone and sand vary by type and moisture. Ask your supplier for the yield per ton.
FAQ
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
Divide 144 by the area of one paver plus its joint in square inches. A 6 x 9 in paver with a 1/8 in joint covers 55.9 in², so you need about 2.6 pavers per square foot before waste.
How much base do I need under pavers?
That depends on soil and use. The tool takes the depth you give, multiplies by the area, and adds a compaction allowance. A 4 in base under 120 ft² is about 46 ft³ with 15 percent allowance.
How much waste should I add for pavers?
10 percent is a common starting point for straight edges. Add more for curves, diagonal patterns and many cuts.
How much sand goes under and between pavers?
The bedding layer is the area times its depth, and joint sand fills the gaps to the paver thickness. Both include a spare so you do not run short.
Is a gravel driveway the same calculation?
No. A loose gravel driveway has a base and a top layer but no pavers. Use the gravel driveway calculator on this site for tons and truckloads.
Does this tool store my measurements?
No. It runs in your browser. The share link keeps your numbers after the # sign, which is never sent to a server.
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