Tool · P-01

Paver patio calculator

Pavers, base gravel, bedding sand, polymeric sand. The whole stack , for any rectangular layout.

Quick answer

How many pavers and how much base do I need?

Patio area = length × width (sq ft). Divide by paver coverage (e.g. 0.222 ft² for a 4×8″ paver with 1/8″ joints) and add 10% waste. For the base layer, plan 1.4 tons of crushed gravel per 100 sq ft at 4 inches deep, plus 1 inch of bedding sand and polymeric sand to lock the joints.

Intro

When to use this calculator

A paver patio has three layers of material: the gravel base, the stone dust setting bed, and the pavers themselves. This calculator handles all three plus the polymeric sand for the joints.

Enter your patio dimensions and paver size. The calculator returns paver count (with cut waste), cubic yards of crusher run base, cubic yards of stone dust setting bed, and bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

The base depth assumption is 6 inches for patios. For driveways, double the gravel volume since driveways need 10 to 12 inches of base.

How to use it

How to use this calculator

Measure your patio area in feet. The calculator handles square, rectangular, and L-shaped patios.
Pick your paver size. 6×6, 6×9, 12×12, 16×16, and 24×24 are the most common sizes at Home Depot and Lowe's.
Set the joint width. 1/8 inch for tight joints, 1/2 inch for traditional spacing.
The calculator returns pavers (with 10% cut waste added), base gravel, stone dust, and polymeric sand.
Round up on every material. Running short mid-project costs more in trips than the extra material.

Inputs

Length

Width

Paver size (in)

Joint width (gap between pavers)

1/8" is standard. Use 3/8"+ for tumbled or rustic styles.

Base depth

Sand depth

Cut waste factor10%

10% for rectangles, 15% for curves and diagonal patterns.

Tools you may need

Buy the cheap stuff (mallet, level, gloves); rent the plate compactor and wet saw unless you'll reuse them.

Plate compactor (rental). The most important tool. ~$60/day, compact base in 2 in lifts, then again over the pavers with a rubber pad attached.
Hand tamper. For tight spots a plate compactor can't reach: against the house, around posts, in corners.
Mason's line + stakes. Sets your slope and string lines. Pitch 1/8 in per foot away from the house.
Screed rails (1 in EMT conduit). Two lengths of conduit + a straight 2×4 = a perfect bedding-sand screed.
Rubber mallet. Tap pavers level into the bedding without chipping edges.
4 ft level. Check pitch and flatness as you go.
Wet saw or angle grinder + diamond blade. For cuts at edges and curves. Rent the wet saw if you have more than ~20 cuts.
Edge restraints + 10 in spikes. Plastic or steel edging around the perimeter. Without it, pavers walk outward over time.
Work gloves + knee pads. Hours on the ground. Worth every dollar.

Related guide

Not sure which paver size to use?

Compare every common paver from 6×6 to 24×24, pattern options, base prep, weight, and when bigger isn't better.

Full guide: Paver patio sizing from 6×6 to 24×24 →

Pavers per 100 sq ft (with 1/8″ joints, 10% waste)

Paver size (in)	Coverage / paver (ft²)	Pavers per 100 ft²
4 × 8	0.222	495
6 × 6	0.252	437
6 × 9	0.378	291
12 × 12	1.021	108
16 × 16	1.797	61
24 × 24	4.005	28

Reading the output

Understanding your result

The headline number is paver count with 10% cut waste added. Below it: tons of base gravel, cubic yards of bedding sand, and bags of polymeric sand for the joints.

What the counts assume: 6-inch crusher run base, 1-inch stone dust setting bed, 1/8-inch joint width unless you change it. For driveways, double the gravel.

When to bump the waste factor: curved patios, herringbone or 45-degree patterns, or any layout with borders need 15% paver waste instead of 10%. The cuts add up.

When to round up vs round down: always round up on every material. Pavers from the same lot are matched for color. Running back to Home Depot for one extra pallet a week later means a visible color seam.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

✗ Skipping the gravel base depth check.

Fix: Patios need 6 inches of crusher run base. Driveways need 10+. A patio base under a driveway will fail in 2 years.

✗ Using #57 stone instead of crusher run for the base.

Fix: #57 doesn't compact properly under pavers. Use crusher run.

✗ Skipping the 1-inch stone dust setting bed.

Fix: Pavers laid directly on crusher run will rock. The setting bed is non-negotiable.

✗ Forgetting cut waste.

Fix: Any patio with rounded edges, angles, or borders needs 10 to 15% extra pavers. The calculator includes this; don't skip it.

✗ Using polymeric sand on a sloped patio.

Fix: Slope steeper than 3 inches per 10 feet causes water to wash polymeric sand out of the joints. Use plain stone dust instead.

Frequently asked questions

How many pavers do I need for a 12×12 foot patio?

Depends on paver size. With 6×6 pavers, you need 576 pavers. With 12×12 pavers, you need 144 pavers. Add 10% for cut waste and breakage. The calculator returns the exact number for any size.

How thick should the base under pavers be?

6 inches of compacted crusher run for patios. 10 to 12 inches for driveways. Add 2 extra inches in freeze-thaw climates (anywhere with winters).

Do I need polymeric sand or regular sand?

Polymeric sand for most installations. It locks the pavers in place and resists weeds. Regular stone dust if your patio has a steep slope, is in a wet area, or sees vehicle traffic.

How long does a paver patio last?

A properly built patio (correct base depth, compacted in lifts, edge restraint, polymeric sand) lasts 25 to 30 years. A poorly built one can fail in 5. The base does most of the work.

Can I lay pavers over an existing concrete slab?

Yes, it's called a paver overlay. You need a thin setting bed and edge restraint. Cheaper than rebuilding the slab but only works if the existing slab is structurally sound.

Related guides

Why polymeric sand fails

The 6 mistakes that crack your joints, and how to spot which one killed your patio.

Open

Paver base prep depth

4 inches for walkways, 6 for patios, 10 to 12 for driveways. Why most patios fail at the base.

Open

Paver sizing guide (6×6 to 24×24)

Pattern options, base prep, and when bigger pavers actually win.

Open

Gravel types explained

#57 vs #8 vs crusher run. The right gravel for the right job.

Open

Commerce, optional

Where to buy your materials

We've linked to common products at Home Depot and Lowe's below. These are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no cost to you. We've used these specific products on projects ourselves. If your local independent yard has a better price, take it.

Cost estimate

Rough material-only ranges. Doesn't include edge restraints, tool rental, or labor.

Pavers

568 pcs · 120 ft²

$420–$840

Base gravel

2.07 tons (bulk delivered)

$52–$114

Bedding sand

20 × 50 lb bags

$100–$160

Polymeric sand

2 bags

$50–$80

Total estimate

$622–$1,194

Premium pavers (clay brick, tumbled, large-format) can run 2–3× the low end. Confirm pricing on the actual SKU before ordering.

Where to buy

×568

4×8 concrete pavers.

Browse the field. Stick to one production batch so the color matches across the patio.

Check price atThe Home Depot Check price atLowe's

Affiliate links, same price for you, helps keep the calculators free.

Where to buy

×2.07

Crushed stone for the compacted base course.

Bagged is fine for small jobs; above ~1.5 tons, call a stone yard for bulk delivery instead.

Check price atThe Home Depot Check price atLowe's

Affiliate links, same price for you, helps keep the calculators free.

Where to buy

×2

Polymeric joint sand, 50 lb bags.

Sweep into joints, mist with water, and it locks the pavers and blocks weeds.

Check price atThe Home Depot Check price atLowe's

Affiliate links, same price for you, helps keep the calculators free.

Want a printable version?

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