Sawhorse Calc

Paver calculator

Add each part of the patio or path in any shape and enter your paver size. You get the pavers to buy, the gravel base and the bedding sand, all from one set of measurements.

Areas to add up

Lengths in feet. 12.5 means 12 ft 6 in. You can also type 12' 6" or 6 in.Lengths in metres.

Paver size, base and sand

Starting figures are typical. Type the ones on your product or quote if you have them.

Cost (optional)

594 pavers

Pavers per sq ft
4.50
Gravel base
1.48 cu yd, about 2.2 tons
Bedding sand
0.37 cu yd, about 0.5 tons

How to work it out

  1. Measure each part of the patio or path. Split L shapes into rectangles and curves into circles or triangles.
  2. Enter the paver's length and width from the label. For a mixed-size pattern sold by the square foot, enter 12 by 12 in: the answer is then the square feet of pattern to buy.
  3. Keep 10% extra for cuts, or about 15% for herringbone and diagonal patterns, which cut more pavers at the edges.
  4. Set the base depth: about 4 to 6 in for patios and walkways, more for driveways. Bedding sand is usually 1 in.

Pavers per square foot

Paver sizePer sq ft
4 × 8 in4.5
6 × 6 in4
6 × 9 in2.67
12 × 12 in1
16 × 16 in0.56
24 × 24 in0.25

These are common starting points. Your site, climate and supplier may call for something different.

How a paver patio is built up

From the bottom: compacted soil, a crushed stone base such as crusher run laid and compacted in layers, about 1 in of coarse bedding sand, then the pavers, with joint sand swept in last. Base and sand compact as you tamp them, so order a little more than the volume shown. See types of gravel for which stone to use.

What this leaves out

Edge restraint is bought by the linear foot around the patio's outside edge, and joint sand by the bag, using the coverage printed on it. Driveways need a deeper base than patios; follow the paver maker's guide or ask a pro for anything that cars will drive on.

Common questions

How many pavers do I need?

Divide the patio area by the area of one paver, then add about 10% for cuts. A 12 by 10 ft patio in 4 by 8 in pavers is 120 × 4.5 = 540 pavers, or 594 with 10% extra.

How much base do I need for pavers?

Multiply the area by the base depth. A 120 sq ft patio with a 4 in base needs 40 cubic feet, about 1.5 cubic yards or 2.2 tons of crusher run, plus a little extra for compaction.

How much sand goes under pavers?

About 1 in of coarse bedding sand. For 120 sq ft that is 10 cubic feet, about 0.37 cubic yards. More than about 1 in tends to let pavers shift.

How deep should a paver base be?

Often about 4 to 6 in of compacted base for patios and walkways, and deeper, often 8 in or more, for driveways. Clay or wet soil may need more, so check the paver maker's guide.

How much extra should I buy for herringbone?

About 15%, compared with 10% for a straight running bond, because angled patterns cut more pavers along every edge.

Doing this job for a customer? Turn your numbers into a free written estimate on QuoteToPaid.

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