How to calculate pavers
Find the area of your patio, divide it by the face area of one paver, and add extra for cuts. Then work out the layers underneath: compacted crushed stone for the base and a thin layer of bedding sand on top.
Pavers = area (sq in) ÷ (paver length × width) × (1 + waste %)
Base gravel (cu yd) = area (sq ft) × base depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Example: a 16 × 12 ft patio is 192 sq ft. With 4 × 8 inch pavers at 4.5 per sq ft, that's 864 pavers, or 908 with 5% extra. A 4 inch base takes about 2.4 cubic yards of crushed stone (about 3.2 tons), and 1 inch of bedding sand takes about 0.6 cubic yards.
Pavers per square foot
| Paver size | Per sq ft | Per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (brick) | 4.5 | 450 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | 400 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 267 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | 100 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 56 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 25 |
Building it in layers
- Excavate to the paver thickness plus base and sand depths, sloping the area slightly away from the house for drainage.
- Lay and compact the base of crushed stone in 2 inch layers with a plate compactor. See the gravel calculator for stone options.
- Screed 1 inch of bedding sand flat over the base. Don't compact it before laying pavers.
- Lay the pavers, cut the edges, install edge restraint, and run the compactor over the pavers.
- Sweep joint sand into the gaps, compact again, and top up.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
Divide 144 by the paver's face area in square inches. A standard 4 × 8 inch brick paver covers 32 square inches, so you need 4.5 per square foot. A 12 × 12 inch paver is 1 per square foot.
How much extra should I add for pavers?
About 5 percent for a simple straight or running bond pattern, and 10 to 15 percent for herringbone, circles, curves or patterns with lots of cuts along the edges.
How deep should the base be under pavers?
For a patio or walkway, 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone is common. Driveways usually need 8 to 12 inches. On top of the base goes a 1 inch layer of bedding sand.
What holds pavers in place at the edges?
An edge restraint, such as plastic or aluminum paver edging spiked into the base, or a concrete curb. Without it, pavers creep outward over time and joints open up.
How much joint sand do I need?
It depends on the paver size and joint width. As a rough guide, one 50 lb bag of polymeric sand covers around 30 to 75 square feet. Check the coverage chart on the bag for your paver size.