Paver Patio Calculator
Use this free paver calculator to find out exactly how many pavers your patio needs. Enter your patio's length and width, pick your paver size, and add a cutting waste allowance — you'll get a paver count to order plus estimates for bedding sand and base gravel.
Enter your numbers
Herringbone and diagonal patterns need more cuts — use 10–15%.
Your results
| Patio area | — |
| Area per paver | — |
| 50-lb bags of bedding sand (estimate) | — |
| Base gravel (estimate) | — |
Sand and gravel figures are estimates for ordering — they assume a 1-inch bedding-sand layer and a 4-inch compacted crushed-stone base. Confirm with your supplier before buying.
How to use this calculator
Measure your patio area in feet and enter the length and width. If your patio isn't a perfect rectangle, measure the largest length and width — the waste allowance usually covers the off-cuts for slightly irregular shapes.
Choose your paver size from the list, or select "Custom size" and enter the paver's length and width in inches. Common concrete pavers are 4″×8″ (also sold as 60 mm brick pavers), while 12″×12″ slabs suit a modern, large-format look.
Set the cutting waste allowance: 5–10% is enough for simple running-bond or stack patterns, but choose 10–15% for herringbone or diagonal layouts where nearly every edge paver needs cutting. Results update instantly as you change any value.
Use the sand and gravel estimates to build your materials list. Bedding sand is sold in 50 lb bags; base gravel is usually ordered in bulk by the ton or cubic yard.
How it works
The math is simple division. First the patio area in square feet: area = length (ft) × width (ft). Then each paver's area: paver sq ft = (length (in) × width (in)) ÷ 144. The base paver count is ceil(area ÷ paver sq ft), and the order quantity adds waste: ceil(pavers × (1 + waste %)). The counts are rounded up because you can't buy a fraction of a paver.
The sand and gravel figures are estimates, not exact counts. Bedding sand assumes a 1-inch layer: one 50 lb bag covers roughly 6 sq ft at that depth (about 0.5 cu ft of sand), so bags = ceil(area ÷ 6). Base gravel assumes a 4-inch compacted crushed-stone base: tons ≈ (area × 4/12 ÷ 27) × 1.4, using about 1.4 tons per cubic yard of stone.
Assumptions: the calculator treats the patio as a rectangle with negligible joint gaps between pavers — tight joints change the count very little, and the waste allowance more than covers edge cuts. In practice, compacted base depth, soil conditions, and paver breakage vary by job, so treat the material estimates as planning numbers and confirm quantities with your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need for a 12×10 foot patio?
A 12×10 ft patio covers 120 square feet. With standard 4×8 inch pavers (0.222 sq ft each), divide 120 by 0.222 to get 540 pavers, then add about 10% for cuts and breakage — order about 594 pavers.
How much extra should I order for cuts and waste?
Add 5–10% for simple running-bond or stack patterns, and 10–15% for herringbone or diagonal layouts, which require far more cuts. If your supplier sells by the pallet, round up to the next full pallet so the color stays consistent.
How deep should the gravel base and sand bed be?
For a residential patio, use 4 inches of compacted crushed-stone base (6 inches for driveways or heavy clay soil) topped with 1 inch of coarse bedding sand. Compact the base in 2-inch lifts and screed the sand level before laying pavers.
How many bags of sand do I need for a paver patio?
Estimate about one 50 lb bag of paver sand per 6 square feet of patio for a 1-inch bedding layer — a 120 sq ft patio needs roughly 20 bags. You will also need polymeric sand swept into the joints after the pavers are laid.
Can I lay pavers directly on dirt or sand alone?
It is not recommended. Pavers laid without a compacted crushed-stone base will shift, settle, and sink unevenly within a season or two. The gravel base spreads the load and drains water; the sand bed is only for leveling and jointing.