Paver Calculator
Enter the size of your patio or walkway and the size of one paver to see how many pavers you need. The calculator also estimates the gravel base and sand bed in cubic yards.
How to use this paver calculator
- Measure the length and width of the patio or walkway. For several sections, calculate each one and add the totals.
- Enter the length and width of one paver in inches, using the size printed on the product.
- Keep the default joint width or change it. A joint of 0 gives the closest match to a count by area alone.
- Keep the 10 percent extra for cuts and breakage. Patterns with angles or curves usually need more.
- Enter the gravel base depth and sand bed depth for your project, or set them to 0 if you do not need them, then press Calculate.
- Use Copy result or Export CSV to take the counts to the store.
How to calculate how many pavers you need
The calculator divides the patio area by the area each paver takes up, including its share of the joint.
- Patio area = length (ft) x width (ft)
- Pavers per square foot = 144 / ((paver length + joint) x (paver width + joint)), with sizes in inches
- Pavers to order = area x pavers per square foot x (1 + extra % / 100), rounded up
- Base gravel = area x base depth (in) / 12 / 27 cubic yards
- Sand = area x sand depth (in) / 12 / 27 cubic yards
Worked example
A patio is 12 ft by 10 ft, so the area is 120 sq ft. Each paver is 6 in by 9 in with a joint of 0 inches to keep the maths simple. One paver covers 54 sq in, so there are 144 / 54 = 2.667 pavers per square foot. The exact count is 120 x 2.667 = 320 pavers. With 10% extra you order 352 pavers.
For the bed, 4 inches of gravel is 120 x (4 / 12) / 27 = 1.48 cubic yards, and 1 inch of sand is 120 x (1 / 12) / 27 = 0.37 cubic yards.
Assumptions & limits
- The patio is a simple rectangle and the paver pattern is a straight run. Herringbone, circular and angled patterns create more cuts, so raise the extra percentage.
- The joint width is a simple gap added to each side. Check your paver maker for the real spacing.
- The base and sand depths are editable inputs and are not recommendations. They depend on soil, drainage, climate and use, so follow the paver maker and local guidance.
- Edge restraints, polymeric sand and geotextile fabric are not included.
- Buy all pavers from one batch where you can, as colors can vary between production runs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how many pavers I need?
Divide the patio area in square inches by the area of one paver. A 12 ft by 10 ft patio is 17,280 sq in, and a 6 in by 9 in paver is 54 sq in, so you need 320 pavers before any extra.
How many pavers are in a square foot?
Divide 144 by the area of one paver in square inches. A 6 in by 9 in paver gives about 2.67 per square foot, and a 12 in by 12 in paver gives exactly 1.
How much extra should I buy?
Ten percent is a common allowance, and complex patterns need more. The calculator starts at 10 percent and lets you change it.
How much base gravel do I need under pavers?
Enter the depth your project needs into the base gravel field. The calculator turns the area and depth into cubic yards. The right depth depends on your soil and use, so check the paver maker and local advice.
Do joints change the paver count?
A little. Wider joints mean fewer pavers per square foot. The default of 0.125 inch is small, and you can enter 0 to ignore joints.
Can I use metric units?
Yes, for the patio size. Choose meters for length and width. Paver size, joint and depths are entered in inches.
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Last updated: November 2026