Paver Calculator
Updated 2026-10-14
Enter the size of your patio and of one paver. The calculator works out how many pavers to buy and how much base gravel, bedding sand and edging you'll need underneath and around them.
How the paver calculator works
A paver patio has three layers: a compacted gravel base that carries the load and drains water, a thin bed of sand that the pavers are set into, and the pavers themselves. The calculator works out each one from the patio's area.
Gravel base = area × base depth × 1.10 (extra for compaction)
Bedding sand = area × sand depth
Edging = 2 × (length + width)
Paver size is entered in inches or centimeters, because that's how pavers are labeled. A 4 × 8 inch paver covers 32 square inches, or 0.22 sq ft, so there are 4.5 of them in every square foot. The gravel weight assumes about 1.4 tons per cubic yard (1.7 t/m³) and sand about 1.35 tons per cubic yard (1.6 t/m³). Your supplier can tell you the exact figures for their material.
Worked example
A 12 × 10 ft patio is 120 sq ft. With 4 × 8 inch pavers at 4.5 per square foot, that's 540 pavers, and 5% extra for cuts makes 567. A 4 inch gravel base is 40 cubic feet, or 44 cubic feet with 10% extra for compaction: 1.63 cubic yards, about 2.28 tons. A 1 inch sand bed is 10 cubic feet, or 0.37 cubic yards. The edge restraint runs around the 44 ft perimeter.
How deep should the base be?
| Use | Typical compacted gravel base | Bedding sand |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path, foot traffic only | 4 in (10 cm) | 1 in (2.5–3 cm) |
| Patio with furniture and a grill | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) | 1 in (2.5–3 cm) |
| Driveway for cars | 8–12 in (20–30 cm) | 1 in (2.5–3 cm) |
Clay soils, poor drainage and cold climates with frost often need a deeper base. Paver manufacturers publish installation guides with recommended depths, and they're worth following, because a weak base is the most common reason patios sink and shift.
Which base and sand to use
The base is usually crushed stone with a mix of sizes and fine dust (often sold as road base, crusher run or Type 1), because it locks together when compacted. Rounded pea gravel doesn't compact well and isn't suitable as a base. For the bedding layer, use coarse, washed concrete sand, not fine play sand. After laying, sweep fine joint sand or polymeric sand into the gaps between pavers to lock them in place.
Step-by-step overview
- Mark out the area and dig down deep enough for the base, the sand and the pavers, with a slight slope away from the house for drainage.
- Compact the soil, lay landscape fabric if recommended for your soil, then add the base in layers of 2–3 inches, compacting each one with a plate compactor.
- Screed the sand bed flat and level, but don't walk on it or compact it.
- Lay the pavers, cut the edges, install edge restraint, compact the surface and sweep in joint sand.
Frequently asked questions
- How many pavers do I need for 100 sq ft?
- With 4 × 8 inch pavers, 450, or 473 with 5% extra. With 12 × 12 inch pavers, 100, or 105 with 5% extra.
- How many pavers are in a pallet?
- It varies widely with the paver size, thickness and manufacturer. Ask the supplier for the coverage per pallet and compare it with your area plus waste.
- Can I lay pavers directly on sand without gravel?
- For anything that gets regular use it's not recommended. Without a compacted base, pavers tend to sink, tilt and let weeds through within a few seasons.