Paver Calculator
Calculate how many pavers, tons of base gravel, and tons of bedding sand you need for your patio or walkway.
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Paver Patio Measurement
A proper paver patio requires a compacted gravel base and a thin layer of bedding sand. Enter your patio dimensions and the size of your chosen pavers to calculate everything you need.
How to Use the Paver Calculator
A beautiful paver patio requires a solid foundation. The calculator estimates paver count plus gravel and sand quantities for the base layers using the dimensions and assumptions entered.
- Measure the area: Enter the overall length and width of your planned patio or walkway.
- Enter the paver size: Check the dimensions of your chosen paver blocks at the hardware store (e.g., standard bricks are 4" x 8", while large square pavers might be 16" x 16").
- Set the section depths: Enter the compacted gravel depth and bedding-sand depth from the design or manufacturer guidance.
Paver Calculation Formula
We calculate the total square footage of the patio and divide it by the square footage of a single paver block.
Step 1: Calculate Area
Patio Area = Length (ft) × Width (ft)
Step 2: Calculate Pavers
Paver Area (sq ft) = (Paver Length in. × Paver Width in.) ÷ 144
Total Pavers = (Patio Area ÷ Paver Area) × (1 + Selected Waste %)
Step 3: Base Materials
Gravel Volume = Patio Area × (Selected Gravel Depth ÷ 12)
Sand Volume = Patio Area × (Selected Sand Depth ÷ 12)
Paver Example Calculation
You are building a 15-foot by 10-foot patio using standard 4x8 brick pavers.
- Patio Area: 15 × 10 = 150 sq ft.
- Paver Area: (4 × 8) ÷ 144 = 0.222 sq ft per paver.
- Pavers Needed: (150 ÷ 0.222) × 1.10 = 743.2 (Buy 744 pavers).
- Gravel Base: 150 × (4÷12) = 50 cu ft. Convert to tons = ~2.6 Tons.
- Bedding Sand: 150 × (1÷12) = 12.5 cu ft. Convert to tons = ~0.6 Tons.
- Related material: If you need other materials for this project, check out our Sand Calculator.
Tips for Laying Pavers
- Compact in layers: When laying your 4-inch gravel base, do not dump all 4 inches at once. Spread 2 inches, run a heavy plate compactor over it, then add the final 2 inches and compact again. This prevents the patio from sinking later.
- Use PVC pipes to screed sand: To get a perfectly level 1-inch sand bed, lay two 1-inch outer diameter PVC pipes on the gravel. Pour the sand, and use a straight 2x4 board dragged across the pipes to screed the sand perfectly flat. Remove the pipes and fill the gaps.
- Slope away from the house: Always ensure your patio slopes away from your foundation at a rate of 1/4 inch per foot to ensure proper rainwater drainage.
Transparent estimate
Accuracy, assumptions, and sources
Reviewed September 29, 2026
Estimates unit pavers, compacted gravel base, and bedding sand with editable installation assumptions.
What this estimate assumes
- Default waste is 10%, gravel base is 4 inches, and bedding sand is 1 inch.
- Paver face dimensions are entered in inches.
What it cannot know
- Joint width, edge restraints, pattern cuts, compaction, drainage, and manufacturer base specifications affect the final order.
Reference links
Found a questionable result? Report the inputs and result so the calculation can be rechecked.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should the gravel base be for a paver patio?
For a standard walking patio, your compacted gravel base should be 4 inches deep. For a residential driveway that will support the weight of vehicles, the gravel base must be increased to 8 to 12 inches deep.
How much bedding sand do I need?
Many interlocking-paver systems specify a screeded bedding layer near 1 inch, but product and site requirements vary. Follow the paver manufacturer or project specification.
Do I need polymeric sand?
Yes, polymeric sand is swept into the joints between the pavers after they are laid. When watered, it hardens like concrete, locking the pavers in place and preventing weeds and ants from coming up through the patio.
How much extra waste should I account for?
Ten percent is a common starting point for pavers. Curves, circles, small borders, and diagonal or herringbone patterns may require more; use the calculator’s editable allowance after reviewing the layout.