Pavers Calculator

Q1. How many pavers do I need?

To find how many pavers you need, divide the total project area (length x width in square feet) by the area each paver covers. For example, if a paver covers 0.25 square feet and your patio is 200 square feet, you need about 800 pavers. Add about 5 to 10% for cuts and breakage, and more for circular or diagonal patterns. Our Pavers Calculator computes the count from your dimensions and paver size, plus the base material you’ll need.

Q2. How much paver base and sand do I need?

Plan for a compacted gravel base about 4 to 6 inches deep under a patio or walkway, and 8 to 12 inches for a driveway that bears vehicles. Above the base, a 1 inch layer of bedding sand levels the pavers. To estimate: multiply your area by the base depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards of gravel; do the same for the 1 inch sand layer. Polymeric sand fills the joints afterward—one bag covers a set area depending on joint width.

Q3. How deep should I excavate for pavers?

Excavate deep enough for your base, bedding sand, and the paver thickness. For a walkway or patio, that’s typically 7 to 9 inches total (about 4 to 6 inches of gravel base + 1 inch sand + paver thickness). For a driveway, excavate deeper—often 11 to 13 inches—to allow a thicker base. Account for a slight slope (about 1/4 inch per foot) away from buildings for drainage. Confirm your layers before calculating base material volume.

Q4. What kind of paver should I choose?

Concrete pavers are the most common—affordable, available in many shapes and colors, and durable for patios, walkways, and driveways. Clay brick pavers offer a classic, fade-resistant color but are typically pricier and more uniform in shape. Natural stone like flagstone, travertine, and bluestone gives a high-end, unique look but costs more and varies in thickness. Permeable pavers allow water to drain through, helping with runoff. Choose based on appearance, traffic load, drainage needs, and how much variation you want.

Q5. What pattern wastes the most pavers?

Simple patterns like running bond or stack bond waste the least—around 5%. Diagonal and herringbone layouts require more cuts at the edges, so add about 10%. Circular, curved, or intricate mixed patterns waste the most, sometimes 15% or more. The pattern also affects how many pavers of each size you need if you’re mixing sizes. Decide your pattern before ordering, and always keep a few spare pavers for future repairs since colors can vary between batches.