What the calculator estimates
The calculator turns project area into paver count, then adds the gravel base and bedding sand volume plus installation and material cost.
Plan pavers before you order material
Enter the patio or driveway area, choose a paver size, and the calculator works out paver count plus the gravel base, bedding sand, and edging you need. Coverage and waste change with pattern and installer, so use this as a planning estimate.
ProjectPatio
Paver typeConcrete (6x9)
Waste factor10%
Project dimensions
For irregular shapes, split into rectangles and add them, or use total square feet.
Paver and base
Paver size is the actual face. Base is gravel depth, sand is bedding layer depth.
Base depth by project
Patios and walkways often use 4 to 6 inches of compacted base, while driveways need 6 to 12 inches depending on soil and vehicle load. Bedding sand is usually 1 inch.
Planning note
Real coverage changes with paver size, pattern cuts, slope, and installer. Confirm paver dimensions, pallet count, and base spec with your supplier and local code.
Formula used
- Convert length and width to feet (or use total square feet).
- Net square feet = length x width.
- Total square feet = net x (1 + waste factor).
- Pavers = ceil(total square feet / paver size).
- Base cubic yards = (net sq ft x base depth in feet) / 27.
- Sand cubic yards = (net sq ft x sand depth in feet) / 27.
- Material cost = total square feet x price per sq ft.
- Total cost = material + installation.
How many pavers do I need for a patio?
Multiply patio length by width for square feet, add a 5 to 10 percent waste factor for cuts and breakage, then divide by the area of one paver. This calculator handles the math for any paver size and shows the base and sand you need too.
How much base do I need under pavers?
Patios and walkways usually need 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel base, while driveways need 6 to 12 inches for vehicle weight. Bedding sand sits 1 inch on top of the base. The calculator converts your depth into cubic yards.
How much waste should I add for pavers?
A 5 percent waste factor suits simple rectangular layouts and running bond patterns. Use 10 to 15 percent for herringbone, circles, borders, or curves, since diagonal cuts create more offcuts and breakage.
How many pavers are in a pallet?
Pallet counts vary widely by paver size and maker, often 100 to 500 pieces covering 80 to 120 square feet. Enter your supplier's pieces per pallet or just use the square foot count to compare prices.
How much sand goes under pavers?
A 1 inch layer of bedding sand (concrete sand or paver sand) is standard, placed over the compacted gravel base. The calculator shows that volume in cubic yards so you can order the right amount.
Is this a contractor quote?
No. It is a planning estimate. Prices, paver sizes, base spec, excavation, drainage, edging, delivery, taxes, and labor vary by supplier, region, and site conditions.