Calculate pavers per square foot, plus gravel base and bedding sand for patios and walkways.
Quick answer: Paver counts depend on unit size: a 4 by 8 inch paver works out to about 4.5 per sq ft with joints, while a 12 by 12 inch paver is about 1 per sq ft. A 300 sq ft patio in 4 by 8 pavers needs roughly 1,350 pavers, plus a 4 inch gravel base of about 3.7 cubic yards and 1 inch of bedding sand.
How do you want to enter the area?
sq ft
in
4 in compacted base suits patios and walkways; 6 in for driveways.
%
Cutting waste is normally 5–10%; diagonal layouts need 15%.
$
Pavers are usually sold by the pallet or per sq ft — about $2–$6 per sq ft for the material.
Pavers to order
963
pavers
Estimated material cost
$1,541
200 sq ft + 7% waste = 214 sq ft
Also on the shopping list
Base gravel at 4 in2.47 cu yd (3.5 tons)
Bedding sand (1 in)0.62 cu yd (0.8 tons)
Polymeric sand for joints3 × 50 lb bags (varies with joint width)
Edginglinear feet equal to the perimeter, plus spikes every 12–16 in
Ordering one extra paver beats a mid-job shortage: dye lots, tile calibre and wallpaper print runs change between batches, so a later top-up may not match what you already installed.
Every coverage figure here is typical, not exact: box sizes, sheet sizes, roll widths and bag yields change between brands. Check the label on the product you actually buy and round up — a second trip costs more than a spare box.
Core facts
4×8 paver
about 4.5 per sq ft with joints
12×12 paver
about 1 per sq ft
Gravel base
4 in compacted for patios, more for driveways
Bedding sand
1 in, screeded level
What is Paver Calculator?
A paver patio is a system, not a single material. Underneath the stones there is a compacted gravel base, usually 4 inches for foot traffic and 6 inches or more under vehicles, then an inch of bedding sand screeded flat, then the pavers themselves, then joint sand swept into the gaps. Each layer is estimated separately: gravel and sand by volume, pavers by count. Paver count depends on the unit size and the joint width, since a 4 by 8 inch paver covers roughly 4.5 pieces per square foot once joints are counted, while a 12 by 12 inch paver is close to one per square foot.
Common uses for Paver Calculator
Count pavers for a patio from its square footage
Size the gravel base and bedding sand at the same time
Compare paver sizes on cost per square foot
Estimate materials for a walkway or driveway apron
Plan waste for cuts at edges and curves
Pavers, base and sand are three separate orders
Most homeowners price the pavers and forget the two layers beneath them, which can account for a third of the material cost. Gravel is ordered by the ton or cubic yard, sand by the yard, and pavers by the piece or by the pallet with a stated coverage. Estimate each separately using its own depth, then add 5 to 10 percent waste to the paver count for edge cuts and breakages.
Size and pattern change the count
A paver count is really a coverage figure: how many units fill a square foot including joints. Small units mean more pieces, more joints and more labor, but they follow curves better and handle slopes. Large-format pavers cover faster but need a very flat base and are heavy to place. Herringbone and basketweave patterns also waste more at the edges than a simple running bond.
The base is what makes it last
A paver patio fails from underneath. Excavate deep enough for the base plus bedding layer plus paver thickness, compact the subgrade, then build the gravel base in lifts of 2 to 4 inches with a plate compactor between each one. Edge restraint along the border is what stops the field from spreading outward. Skipping any of this shows up within a year or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
It depends on size. A 4 by 8 inch paver works out to about 4.5 per sq ft with standard joints, a 6 by 6 inch paver about 4 per sq ft, and a 12 by 12 inch paver roughly 1 per sq ft. Larger units cover more area each but weigh considerably more to handle.
How deep should the gravel base be?
Four inches compacted is the usual minimum for a patio, walkway or fire pit area. Driveways and any surface taking vehicle weight need 6 to 8 inches, built in lifts and compacted each time. Weak or clay soil needs more again. The base, not the paver, is what stops a patio sinking unevenly.
How much bedding sand do I need?
One inch across the paved area, screeded to a consistent depth. For a 300 sq ft patio that is 25 cubic feet, or just under a cubic yard. Too much sand and the pavers rock, too little and they will not sit level. Use coarse, angular bedding sand rather than fine masonry sand.
What about joint sand?
After laying, sweep kiln-dried sand or polymeric sand into the joints and compact the surface. Polymeric sand is then watered so it sets, which reduces weeds and ant nests and helps lock the pavers together. Coverage per bag depends on joint width and paver size, so check the bag's chart for your pattern.
Can I lay pavers on sand only?
Only for very light use such as a garden path, and even then it will move over time. Any patio, driveway or area with regular foot traffic needs a compacted gravel base under the sand. Without it the sand migrates into the soil and the surface settles unevenly. The base is the structural part of the job.