Paver Calculator
Pavers = area × (1 + 5 % for cuts) ÷ the face of one paver. A 12 × 12 ft patio of 4 × 8 in pavers takes 681 pavers, 0.44 yd³ of bedding sand and 1.78 yd³ of base. ICPI asks for at least 4 in of compacted base under a patio and 6 in under a driveway, then 1 in of sand.
Pavers to buy
681 pavers
144 ft² + 5 % for cuts · 4 × 8 in pavers, 4.5 per ft²
- Area
- 144 ft²
- Bedding sand
- 0.44 yd³ (12 ft³) · 0.6 tons
- Base gravel
- 1.78 yd³ (48 ft³) · 2.49 tons
Weights: dry builders sand at 2,700 lb/yd³ and crushed stone at 1.4 tons/yd³; your supplier may bill by another figure.
Worked example
A 12 × 12 ft patio of 4 × 8 in pavers
- 12 × 12 = 144 ft²; 144 ÷ (4 × 8) = 4.5 pavers per ft²
- 144 × 4.5 = 648; × 1.05 = 680.4, so 681 pavers
- Sand: 144 × 1 ÷ 12 = 12 ft³ = 0.44 yd³
- Base: 144 × 4 ÷ 12 = 48 ft³ = 1.78 yd³
Result: 681 pavers, 0.44 yd³ of sand and 1.78 yd³ of base.
Checked by the automated test “paver — 12 × 12 ft patio, 4 × 8 in pavers, 5 % → 681 pavers, 0.44 yd³ of sand, 1.78 yd³ of base”.
How it works
Pavers per ft² = 144 ÷ (paver width × length, in inches)
Pavers = area × (1 + extra for cuts) × pavers per ft², rounded up
Bedding sand = area × 1 in ÷ 12 = ft³, ÷ 27 = yd³
Base = area × base depth ÷ 12 = ft³, ÷ 27 = yd³
Assumptions
- Bedding sand: 1 in, the nominal bed ICPI Tech Spec 2 asks for, screeded and not compacted.
- Base: 4 in after compaction for patios and walks, 6 in for residential driveways (ICPI, well-drained soils); wet, weak or freezing soils need 2 to 4 in more.
- 5 % extra for cuts is a starting figure, not a standard: add more for curves, borders and diagonal patterns.
- Weights: dry builders sand at 2,700 lb/yd³ (Pacific Topsoils) and crushed stone at 1.4 tons/yd³ (2,800 lb), the gravel calculator's default; Pacific Topsoils weighs its 5/8 in minus crushed rock at 3,000 lb/yd³, so ask your supplier. The base is ordered loose and compacted in place, so it takes more than its compacted volume.
Reference table
| Paver size | Pavers per ft² | Pavers per 100 ft² |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 4.5 | 450 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | 400 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 267 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | 100 |
| 12 × 24 in | 0.5 | 50 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 57 |
Add the extra for cuts on top. The size is the paver face as sold, joints included.
Before you buy
- Several areas. Add an L-shaped patio as two rectangles; the extra for cuts is applied once, to the total.
- Paver size. Use the size printed on the pallet or the product page: some pavers are sold by nominal size.
- Driveway. Change the base to 6 in; ask a local contractor for wet, clay or freezing soils.
Common mistakes
- A thick sand bed to level the base ICPI screeds the sand to 1 in and says it should not be used to make up for an uneven base: fix the base instead.
- A base too thin ICPI asks for at least 4 in of compacted base under a patio and 6 in under a driveway: 1.78 yd³ and 2.67 yd³ for 144 ft².
- Mason's sand under the pavers Unilock tells installers not to use limestone screenings, mason's sand or slag for the 1 in bedding course.
- No extra for cuts Edges and curves are cut from whole pavers: 648 pavers cover 144 ft² exactly, so order more (681 with 5 %).
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need?
Divide 144 by the paver face in square inches to get pavers per ft², multiply by the area, then add for cuts. 4 × 8 in pavers are 4.5 per ft²: 144 ft² takes 648, or 681 with 5 % for cuts.
How much paver base do I need?
Area × base depth in inches ÷ 12 gives ft³, ÷ 27 gives yd³. ICPI asks for at least 4 in compacted under patios and 6 in under driveways: 1.78 yd³ or 2.67 yd³ for 144 ft².
How much paver sand do I need?
For the 1 in bed ICPI asks for: area ÷ 12 = ft³. A 144 ft² patio takes 12 ft³, or 0.44 yd³, about 1,200 lb of dry sand.
How many pavers do I need for a 12x12 patio?
648 pavers of 4 × 8 in for the 144 ft², 681 with 5 % for cuts; 576 pavers of 6 × 6 in, 605 with 5 %.
How deep should paver base be?
ICPI: at least 4 in after compaction for patios and walks and 6 in for residential driveways, over well-drained soil; 2 to 4 in more on wet or weak soil in cold climates.
Sources
Formula, examples and sources checked on by the Yardstick Math team. How we check our formulas.
- Tech Spec 2, Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavements (bedding sand, base thickness) — Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (copy hosted by Orco), accessed
- How to install a patio on grade (bedding course 1 in, materials to avoid) — Unilock Contractors, accessed
- Safe hauling of bulk materials (builders sand, lb per cubic yard) — Pacific Topsoils, accessed