How to work out how many pavers you need
The number of pavers is simply the area you are covering divided by the area of one paver, plus a little extra for cuts and breakage. The calculator does the unit conversion from inches to feet for you, rounds up to whole pavers, and also estimates the two layers underneath: a compacted gravel base and a thin bed of sand.
The formulas
Tons are estimated at about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for gravel and about 1.35 tons per cubic yard for sand. Densities vary by material, so check with your supplier.
Worked example
A 12 × 16 ft patio covers 192 square feet. Each 6 × 9 inch paver covers 54 ÷ 144 = 0.375 square feet, so you need 192 ÷ 0.375 = 512 pavers before waste.
Laying them in a running bond, you add 10%: 512 × 1.10 = 563.2, so buy 564 pavers. A 4 inch gravel base needs 192 × 4 ÷ 12 ÷ 27 ≈ 2.37 cubic yards (about 3.3 tons), and a 1 inch sand bed needs about 0.59 cubic yards.
Common paver sizes
| Paver size | Area each | Pavers per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (brick) | 0.22 sq ft | 4.5 |
| 6 × 6 in | 0.25 sq ft | 4 |
| 6 × 9 in | 0.375 sq ft | 2.67 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 sq ft | 1 |
| 16 × 16 in | 1.78 sq ft | 0.56 |
| 24 × 24 in | 4 sq ft | 0.25 |
Use the paver's actual dimensions from the manufacturer if you can. Many pavers have built-in spacer nubs or nominal sizes that differ slightly from the real size, and suppliers often list coverage per pallet or per square foot.
How much extra to order
- 5% for a simple straight lay with few cuts.
- 10% for running bond and basket-weave patterns.
- 15% for herringbone, diagonal layouts, curves or lots of edges.
Keep a few spare pavers from the same batch. Colors can vary between production runs, so matching later can be hard if one cracks.
Building a solid base
Most paver failures come from what is underneath. A typical patio uses 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone, compacted in thin layers, topped with about 1 inch of screeded bedding sand. Driveways need a deeper base. Edge restraints stop the pavers from creeping outward, and joint sand swept into the gaps helps lock them together. Follow the paver manufacturer's installation guide for your soil and use.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need for a 12 × 12 patio?
A 12 × 12 ft patio is 144 sq ft. You need 144 pavers of 12 × 12 inches, 576 pavers of 6 × 6 inches or 81 pavers of 16 × 16 inches, plus 5–15% extra for cuts.
How many pavers are in a square foot?
Divide 144 by the paver’s area in square inches. A 4 × 8 inch brick paver is 32 sq in, so about 4.5 pavers per square foot.
How deep should the base be under pavers?
Walkways and patios usually need 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel; driveways often need 8 to 12 inches. Clay or wet soils may need more.
How much sand goes under pavers?
A bedding layer of about 1 inch of coarse sand is typical. Thicker sand beds can shift and settle, so they are generally not recommended.
Should I include joint sand?
Joint sand is a small amount swept into the gaps after laying. Manufacturers list coverage per bag, which depends on joint width and paver size.
Last reviewed November 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.