How many pavers do I need?
Every paver count starts from its face size. Pavers per square foot = 144 ÷ (length × width in inches) — the sand joints between pavers are 1/16 to 1/8 in, too thin to change the count.
| Paver size | Per sq ft | 10 × 10 ft patio (+10%) | 12 × 16 ft patio (+10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (brick) | 4.5 | 495 | 951 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | 440 | 845 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 294 | 564 |
| 6 × 12 in | 2 | 220 | 423 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | 110 | 212 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 62 | 119 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 28 | 53 |
Multi-size patterns sold as a kit or "random" bundle are counted by square feet instead — buy the square footage plus the waste allowance, and the calculator's area figure is what you need.
How many pavers for a patio: base and sand
A paver patio is only as good as what's under it. The calculator adds the two layers you buy by the ton and the cubic foot:
- Gravel base — Unilock's guide calls for 6–8 in of compacted base under patios and walks and 10–14 in under driveways. Base is spread loose and compacted in 2–3 in lifts, so the calculator orders about a third more than the finished depth. For a 12 × 12 ft patio on 6 in of base, that's about 5 tons of crusher run.
- Bedding sand — a 1 in screeded layer of coarse concrete sand, about 12 cu ft for 144 sq ft. Don't use stone dust or play sand.
- Edge restraint — plastic or aluminum edging spiked along every open edge keeps the pavers from spreading. Measure the perimeter that isn't against a house or wall.
- Joint sand — after the pavers are compacted, sweep polymeric or jointing sand into the joints; coverage varies so much with joint width that it's best taken from the bag.
The paver base calculator does the base on its own with more material choices, and the sand calculator covers bedding and joint sand.
How much waste to add
| Layout | Waste allowance |
|---|---|
| Square or rectangle, running or stack bond | 5% |
| Typical patio with a few cuts | 10% |
| Herringbone, 45° layouts, curves, circles | 15% |
Our advice: buy all the pavers at once, from the same production run. Concrete pavers vary slightly in color from batch to batch, and a second order a month later rarely matches. Keep a few spares in the garage; replacing a cracked paver years from now is easy if you have one that matches.
Weighing the two? Our pavers vs concrete patio guide compares cost, lifespan and repairs. Thinking about poured concrete instead? The slab calculator prices the same patio in ready-mix or bags. Raising the patio above grade? The retaining wall calculator sizes the wall that holds it.
