How to calculate your pavers project
Paver projects require more than surface pieces. This calculator estimates whole pavers, pallets, edge restraint, base gravel, bedding sand, and material cost.
Need the surface area? Measure your outdoor project on our satellite map →
- Measure the finished paved area.
- Enter the paver face dimensions and the supplier's pieces-per-pallet count.
- Set base and bedding depths for local soil and traffic conditions, then increase waste for cuts and pattern complexity.
Formula
The calculation
Project area ÷ one paver’s face area = paver count, rounded up after waste. Pallets are rounded up from the supplier count. Base and sand use their selected depths.
Worked example
A 12 × 10 ft patio using 8 × 4 inch pavers with 10% waste requires approximately 594 pavers.
The result is a planning estimate. Round purchasing quantities up to available package sizes and confirm the exact product specifications.
What this paver calculator includes
A surface count alone can leave a patio or walkway plan incomplete. YardMeasure keeps the primary paver quantity and supporting layers together so you can compare the complete material plan.
| Output | How it is calculated |
|---|---|
| Surface pavers | Whole pavers after the selected waste allowance |
| Pallets | Full pallets based on the supplier's pieces-per-pallet count |
| Base gravel | Cubic yards from the project area and compacted base depth |
| Bedding sand | Cubic yards from the project area and selected sand depth |
| Edge restraint | Perimeter for rectangular and circular layouts |
| Paver cost | Surface-paver quantity multiplied by the entered unit price |
Common paver sizes per square foot
Use the installed face size—not the nominal product name—to estimate the surface count. These reference quantities cover 100 square feet before waste, border pieces, joints, or pattern adjustments.
| Paver face size | Area per paver | Pavers per 100 ft² |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 0.22 ft² | 450 |
| 6 × 6 in | 0.25 ft² | 400 |
| 6 × 9 in | 0.38 ft² | 267 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1.00 ft² | 100 |
| 16 × 16 in | 1.78 ft² | 57 |
| 24 × 24 in | 4.00 ft² | 25 |
How many 6 × 9 pavers are in a square foot?
A 6 × 9 inch face covers 0.375 square feet, so the theoretical count is about 2.67 pavers per square foot, or 267 pavers per 100 square feet before waste.
How many 16 × 16 pavers cover a 10 × 10 patio?
A 16 × 16 inch paver covers about 1.78 square feet. A 100-square-foot patio needs at least 57 whole pavers before adding pieces for cuts, breakage, or future repairs.
How much will the pavers cost?
Multiply the final whole-paver count by the current price per paver. The calculator does this automatically and shows the surface-paver cost separately from the base gravel and bedding sand quantities. Delivery, labor, equipment, edge restraint, joint material, tax, and disposal are not included unless you add them later in the estimate builder.
For a complete job plan, read the paver patio estimating guide or review a finished paver patio estimate example.
Material assumptions
- Default base depth is 4 inches and default bedding-sand depth is 1 inch.
- The selected waste allowance is applied to pavers, base, and sand.
- Edge restraint is shown for rectangles and circles; known-area measurements need an on-site perimeter.
Read the complete calculator methodology for unit conversions, rounding rules, and limitations.
Why the waste factor matters
A waste or extra-material percentage allows for real-world variation: irregular edges, cuts, compaction, settling, spillage, and measurement error. Ten percent is a useful starting point, not a universal rule. Increase or reduce it according to the material, layout, and supplier guidance.
Unit conversions used
Questions
Paver Calculator FAQ
How much paver waste should I include?
Ten percent works for many simple layouts. Curves, diagonal patterns, mixed sizes, or complex borders can require fifteen percent or more.
How many pavers do I need?
Divide the project area by the installed face area of one paver, add waste for cuts and breakage, and round up to a whole paver. Enter the patio or walkway size and the exact paver dimensions above to calculate it automatically.
How many 6 × 9 pavers are in a square foot?
A 6 × 9 inch paver covers 0.375 square feet, so the theoretical count is about 2.67 pavers per square foot, or 267 per 100 square feet before waste, joint changes, or pattern adjustments.
How many 16 × 16 pavers cover a 10 × 10 patio?
A 16 × 16 inch paver covers about 1.78 square feet, so a 100-square-foot patio requires at least 57 whole pavers before adding waste for cuts and breakage.
Does this work as a paver base calculator?
Yes. The calculator estimates compacted base gravel and bedding sand separately from the surface pavers. Enter the base and sand depths required for your project, then confirm the design for local soil, drainage, climate, and traffic conditions.
Can I calculate pavers for a circular patio?
Yes. Select the circle shape and enter the finished diameter. The calculator uses the circular area to estimate pavers, base, bedding sand, and waste; verify the curved-edge cuts and perimeter on site.
Does paver size include the joint?
Use the installed module size when the manufacturer provides it. Otherwise, account for the intended joint in your layout planning.
How deep should the paver base be?
Four inches is used here only as a planning default. Soil, climate, drainage, traffic, and local practice may require a different base design.