How it works
Enter the patio size and paver dimensions. The calculator divides the area by one paver's face area, adds waste for cuts along the edges, and estimates the compacted gravel base and the sand bedding layer underneath.
A standard paver patio is built on 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone or road base, topped with 1 inch of screeded concrete sand. Driveways need 8 to 12 inches of base. The base estimate adds 10% because gravel compacts.
Use 5% waste for a simple square patio in a running bond, 10% for herringbone or curves, and 15% for circular patterns. Polymeric joint sand is sold separately; one 50 lb bag usually fills joints for 25 to 75 sq ft depending on paver size.
Formula
Pavers = area ÷ (paver length × width ÷ 144) × (1 + waste). Base cu yd = area × base depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × 1.1. Sand cu ft = area × sand depth ÷ 12.
Questions people ask
How many 4 × 8 pavers per square foot?
Each covers 32 sq in, so 4.5 pavers per square foot, or 450 per 100 sq ft before waste.
How deep should the paver base be?
Four to six inches of compacted gravel for walkways and patios, 8 to 12 inches for driveways, plus 1 inch of bedding sand.
Can I use sand alone without gravel?
Not for a lasting patio. Sand alone shifts and washes out, so pavers sink and heave. The compacted gravel base carries the load and drains water.