Use this free paver calculator to estimate how many pavers you need for a patio, walkway, or driveway — plus the base gravel and bedding sand underneath. Enter your area dimensions, paver size, and preferred base depth — get a complete bill of materials with cost.
Paver Calculator
How to use this paver calculator
- Measure your patio or walkway. Length and width in feet. For curved or irregular shapes, break them into rectangles.
- Find your paver size. Standard 8×4" brick-style pavers are preloaded. Common alternatives include 6×6 squares, 12×12 square pavers, or 8×8.
- Add waste. 10% is standard to cover cuts on edges and breakage. Use 15% for herringbone or other complex patterns that require more cuts.
- Base layers. A typical patio uses 4" of compacted base gravel + 1" of bedding sand. Walkways can use 3" base; driveways 6".
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
That depends on paver size. 4×8" pavers: 4.5 per sq ft. 6×6": 4 per sq ft. 6×9": 2.7 per sq ft. 12×12": 1 per sq ft. The calculator does this math automatically once you enter your paver dimensions.
How much base gravel do I need under pavers?
For walkways: 3 inches of compacted crushed stone #57 or similar. For patios: 4 inches. For driveways: 6 inches. Always compact the base in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor.
How thick should the bedding sand be?
Use 1 inch of coarse bedding sand (not play sand) between the compacted base and the pavers. Any more and the pavers will settle unevenly. Screed the sand flat before setting pavers.
Why do I need more pavers than the square footage suggests?
Waste from cuts at the edges of your patio and breakage during installation. A straight layout loses about 5%. Herringbone or diagonal patterns lose 10–15%. The calculator defaults to 10%, which is safe for most DIY installs.
Can I install pavers without polymeric sand on top?
You can, but weeds will grow between joints within a few seasons and pavers can shift. Polymeric sand locks the pavers together and prevents weed growth for 5–10 years. It's about $25–$35 per 50 lb bag, covering ~75 sq ft.