Patios · Walkways · Driveways
Paver Calculator: Pavers & Base Needed
Enter your patio or walkway dimensions and the paver size you're using. This tool converts that into a paver count, base material, and bedding sand — with a 10% waste factor built in.
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How the math works
Paver count comes from dividing your total area by the footprint of a single paver, then adding a waste factor for cuts along edges and around curves or obstacles.
pavers = (area ÷ paver footprint) × 1.10
base volume = area × 4" depth (converted to cubic yards)
sand volume = area × 1" depth (converted to cubic yards)
Base and bedding sand are calculated by depth rather than count, since they're sold by volume (cubic yards) or by bag, not by the piece.
Paver size reference
| Paver size | Coverage per unit |
|---|---|
| Standard brick (4"×8") | 0.375 sq ft |
| 12"×12" square | 1.0 sq ft |
| 16"×16" square | 1.78 sq ft |
Common mistakes
Skipping the compacted base layer is the most common corner-cut — without it, pavers shift and settle unevenly within a season or two, especially in areas with freeze-thaw cycles. The other frequent miss: forgetting polymeric jointing sand, which is a separate product from the bedding sand under the pavers and needs to be ordered and budgeted for separately.
Frequently asked questions
How much base material do I need under pavers?
A standard compacted paver base runs about 4 inches deep, topped with roughly 1 inch of bedding sand before the pavers go down. Areas with poor drainage or heavier vehicle loads sometimes need a deeper base.
How much extra should I buy for cuts and waste?
A 10% overage covers most rectangular patios and walkways, accounting for edge cuts and breakage. Curved layouts or intricate patterns often need closer to 15% extra.
Do I need polymeric sand too?
Yes, separately from the bedding sand under the pavers — polymeric sand fills the joints between pavers after they're set and hardens to resist weeds and washout. It's usually sold and calculated separately based on joint width and paver count.