Paver Calculator
Work out exactly how many pavers, how much base gravel and how much polymeric sand a patio or walkway needs, with the right waste allowance for your pattern already built in. Add your own prices for a full cost estimate — nothing here uses a stale national average.
How this calculator works
Each paver's real footprint includes half the joint gap on every side, the same logic used for tile. The calculator divides total area by that footprint, adds your pattern's waste allowance, then works out base gravel and sand separately from area and depth:
paver_footprint = (paver_length + gap) × (paver_width + gap) pavers_needed = ceil( area / paver_footprint × (1 + wastage%) ) base_gravel_cuyd = (area_sqft × (base_depth_in/12)) / 27 polymeric_sand_bags = ceil(area / coverage_per_bag)
Base gravel and sand scale with area directly, independent of pattern — only the paver count changes with pattern, since that's where the angled cuts and offcuts happen.
Worked example
A 16 ft × 12 ft patio in 12 in × 12 in pavers, 3/16 in joints, running bond, 4 in base:
- Area: 16 × 12 = 192 sq ft.
- Paver footprint: (12 + 0.1875)/12 × (12 + 0.1875)/12 ≈ 1.032 sq ft.
- Pavers: ceil(192 ÷ 1.032 × 1.05) ≈ 196 pavers.
- Base gravel: (192 × 4/12) ÷ 27 ≈ 2.37 cu yd.
- Sand: ceil(192 ÷ 90) = 3 bags. Edge restraint (perimeter): 2 × (16 + 12) = 56 ft.
At $3.50 per paver, $45 per cu yd gravel, $18 per sand bag, and $2.25 per ft of edge restraint, that example totals roughly$973.
Pattern waste by layout
| Pattern | Waste | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Running bond | 5% | Straight courses, minimal edge cuts |
| Basketweave | 8% | Alternating pairs create more border cuts |
| Herringbone | 10% | 45° or 90° angled joints, most offcut waste |
Measuring your patio
- Area — add one entry per rectangular section; break an L-shaped patio into two rectangles.
- Paver size — measure the actual paver, not the nominal size printed on the packaging if they differ.
- Base depth — 4 in is typical for a patio; go deeper for poor soil or vehicle loads (see the FAQ below).
- Edge restraint — only needed on edges not already contained by a wall, foundation, or existing hardscape.
How much does a paver patio cost?
Rather than quoting a national average that's stale the day it's published, this calculator prices the job from what you actually enter. Give a price per paver, per cubic yard of base gravel, per sand bag, and per linear foot of edge restraint — each is itemized and totaled. The estimate doesn't include excavation, compaction equipment rental, or installation labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra should I order for a herringbone pattern?
Around 10%, roughly double a simple running bond's 5%. The 45 or 90 degree angled joints create more triangular offcuts along every border, so more of each cut paver ends up as waste.
What base depth does a patio need vs a driveway?
A patio with only foot traffic typically needs about 4 inches of compacted base. A driveway carrying vehicle loads needs considerably more, commonly 6 to 8 inches or deeper, since repeated vehicle weight demands more support.
Do I need polymeric sand between pavers?
It's not strictly mandatory, but it's standard practice on most patios and walkways. It hardens in the joints to lock pavers in place, resist weed growth and ant intrusion, and reduce shifting over time.
Edge restraint — is it really necessary?
Yes, on any edge not already contained by a wall, foundation, or existing hardscape. Without it, perimeter pavers gradually spread and shift outward under traffic and freeze-thaw cycles, loosening the whole field over time.