How to measure for your paver patio project
- Measure your patio area. Measure the length and width in feet and multiply them together to get square footage. For an L-shaped or irregular patio, split it into rectangles, calculate each section separately, and add the totals.
- Pick a paver size and base depth. Choose your paver size from the dropdown — the value encodes the paver's face area in square inches so the calculator can divide correctly. Set the gravel base depth: 4 inches is standard for a pedestrian patio; bump it to 6 inches for a driveway or heavy-use area.
- Read the results and add overage. You'll see the paver count, base gravel in cubic yards, bedding sand (always assumes a 1-inch setting bed), and edging in linear feet. Round the paver count up and add 5–10% for cuts, breakage, and any angled patterns that increase waste.
How the paver patio calculator works
Paver count is simply the patio area divided by the face area of one paver, both in the same units. The calculator converts paver area from square inches to square feet (paverSqIn ÷ 144), then divides the patio area by that number and rounds up to the nearest whole paver. Base gravel volume in cubic yards = (area_sqft × depth_in ÷ 12) ÷ 27; bedding sand uses the same formula locked at 1 inch. Worked example: a 12 × 12 ft patio is 144 sq ft. A 4 × 8-inch paver covers 32 sq in = 0.222 sq ft, so 144 ÷ 0.222 = 648 pavers (exact, matching the reference table). Base gravel at 4 inches: 144 × (4 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 1.78 cubic yards. Bedding sand at 1 inch: 144 × (1 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 0.44 cubic yard.
Which type are you estimating?
4 in × 8 in brick paver (value 32)
The classic running-bond brick — versatile for walkways, patios, and pool surrounds. Running bond (half-offset rows) generates minimal cut waste and is the easiest pattern for a DIYer. At 4.5 pavers per square foot it is the highest count, so over-order by at least 5%.
Enter: Select "4 in × 8 in"; gravel base 4 in for patios, 6 in for driveways. Add 5% for running bond, 10% for herringbone.
6 in × 6 in square paver (value 36)
A compact square that suits small patios, stepping-stone paths, and border accents. The symmetrical shape makes basketweave and grid patterns straightforward. At 4 pavers per square foot the count is slightly lower than the 4×8 brick.
Enter: Select "6 in × 6 in"; base 4 in standard. Add 5–8% overage for cuts at edges.
6 in × 9 in paver (value 54)
A mid-size rectangle popular for traditional herringbone driveways. Herringbone is the strongest interlocking pattern for vehicle loads because the 45° or 90° angle locks pavers against horizontal creep — but angled cuts along every edge add roughly 10% extra waste.
Enter: Select "6 in × 9 in"; bump base to 6 in for driveways. Add 10% for herringbone waste.
12 in × 12 in slab paver (value 144)
Exactly 1 paver per square foot, which makes ordering almost foolproof. Large-format squares give a clean, modern look for patios and garden paths. Less cutting at interior joints, though corners and curved edges still need cuts.
Enter: Select "12 in × 12 in"; base 4 in. Add 5% for edge cuts — fewer cuts than smaller formats.
12 in × 24 in large-format paver (value 288)
Half a paver per square foot — the lowest count of any option and the fewest joints to fill. Suits contemporary patios and wide pathways. The elongated shape looks best in a simple running bond or stacked pattern; herringbone is not practical at this size.
Enter: Select "12 in × 24 in"; base 4 in. Add 5–7% for edge cuts along the long sides.
Tips & ways to save
- Always add 5–10% to your paver count before ordering — edge cuts, breakage during installation, and future repairs all consume extras. Angled patterns like herringbone eat closer to 10%.
- Compact the gravel base in 2-inch lifts using a plate compactor, not all at once. A well-compacted base prevents settling and keeps joints tight for years.
- Screed the 1-inch sand setting bed to a flat plane before laying pavers — do not compact the sand itself until all pavers are down and you are ready to vibrate them into place.
- Use rigid plastic or metal edging along every border to keep the field pavers from creeping outward over time. Secure edging with 10-inch spikes at 12-inch intervals.
- Sweep polymeric sand into the joints after compaction and mist lightly with water to activate the binder. It resists weeds and ants far better than plain mason sand.
Pavers by size for a 12 × 12 ft patio (144 sq ft)
| Paver size | Coverage each | Pavers per sq ft | For 144 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 in × 8 in | 0.22 sq ft | 4.5 | 648 |
| 6 in × 6 in | 0.25 sq ft | 4.0 | 576 |
| 6 in × 9 in | 0.375 sq ft | 2.67 | 384 |
| 12 in × 12 in | 1.0 sq ft | 1.0 | 144 |
| 12 in × 24 in | 2.0 sq ft | 0.5 | 72 |
Counts are an exact fit — add 5–10% for cuts, breakage, and patterns that mix sizes. A 12-in × 12-in paver works out to exactly 1 paver per square foot.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
How many pavers for a 12×12 patio?
How much gravel base and sand do I need under pavers?
What is the best paver pattern for a driveway?
How do I measure an irregular or L-shaped patio?
How much does a paver patio cost per square foot?
Sources
Related calculators
Reviewed by the BackyardCalc editorial team. Figures are computed from the formula above and checked against manufacturer yields.