Free landscaping calculator
Paver Patio Calculator — pavers, base & sand
One calculator for the whole patio: paver count plus the gravel base and bedding sand underneath.
Base and sand follow the standard 4″ compacted gravel + 1″ sand patio build-up.
How many pavers do I need?
Divide your patio's square footage by the area of a single paver, then add cut waste — every paver that meets an edge gets cut, and offcuts usually can't be reused. This calculator also sizes the two layers you don't see: a 4-inch compacted gravel base for drainage and structure, and 1 inch of bedding sand the pavers are set into. That way one supplier order covers the whole build.
| Paver size | Pavers per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (brick) | 450 |
| 6 × 6 in | 400 |
| 6 × 12 in | 200 |
| 12 × 12 in | 100 |
| 16 × 16 in | 57 |
| 24 × 24 in | 25 |
What goes under a paver patio
A patio that stays flat for decades is mostly foundation. The standard build-up is 4 inches of compacted crushed gravel (6–8 inches for driveways), then 1 inch of coarse bedding sand screeded level, then the pavers themselves, with joint sand swept into the gaps at the end. Skipping or thinning the base is the number one cause of wavy, sunken patios.
Buy the full quantity up front
Concrete pavers are made in dye lots, and a batch bought six months later rarely matches perfectly. Order your full count plus a handful of spares in one purchase — the spares also cover future repairs if a paver cracks or stains.
Frequently asked questions
How many 12x12 pavers do I need for a 10x12 patio?
A 10 by 12 foot patio is 120 square feet, which takes 120 twelve-inch pavers before waste. With a typical 10 percent cutting allowance, order 132.
How deep should the base be under pavers?
For patios and walkways, use 4 inches of compacted crushed gravel topped with 1 inch of bedding sand. Driveways that carry vehicles need 6 to 8 inches of compacted base.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Use coarse concrete sand (bedding sand) for the 1-inch setting layer, not fine play sand. For the joints between pavers, polymeric sand hardens when wetted and resists weeds and washout.
How much waste should I add when ordering pavers?
Add 5 percent for a simple square layout, 10 percent for a typical rectangular patio, and 15 percent if you're laying a diagonal pattern or cutting around curves.