Paver calculator

How pavers are calculated

Everything starts from the area and the perimeter of the rectangle. Measure in feet; the calculator also takes feet and inches or meters. For an L-shape or a patio with a walkway, use “+ Add another area” for each rectangle; the areas and perimeters are added together.

The paver count is the area in square inches divided by the face of one paver, then the pattern waste is added and the total is rounded up to whole pavers.

Waste depends on the pattern: 5% for running bond and basketweave, 10% for herringbone and 15% for circular or fan layouts.

The base and sand are volumes. The base gets 20% added because loose crushed stone packs down under the plate compactor. The sand is screeded loose, so it gets no allowance.

Joint sand and edging are counted from the area and the perimeter.

Worked example: 16 × 12 ft patio

The calculator opens on a 16 × 12 ft patio in 8×4 in holland pavers laid herringbone, on 4 in of base and 1 in of sand.

1. Area: 16 × 12 = 192 ft². Perimeter: 2 × (16 + 12) = 56 ft.
2. Pavers: 192 × 144 ÷ 32 = 864.0. Add 10% for herringbone: 864.0 × 1.10 = 950.4, so order 951 pavers.
3. Base: 192 × 4 ÷ 12 = 64 ft³ = 2.370 yd³. With 20% for compaction that is 2.84 yd³, or 3.98 tons.
4. Sand: 192 × 1 ÷ 12 = 16 ft³ = 0.59 yd³, or 0.80 tons.
5. Polymeric sand: 192 ÷ 60 = 3.2, so 4 bags.
6. Edge restraint: 56 ÷ 8 = 7.0, so 7 sections and 56 spikes.

Pavers and base for common patio sizes

Base, sand and compaction

A paver surface is only as good as the base under it. Dig out enough for the base, the sand and the paver thickness, then compact the subgrade before any stone goes in.

• Use a crushed, angular base with fines (often sold as crusher run, road base or paver base), not round pea gravel. Angular stone locks together when compacted.
• Place the base in lifts and run a plate compactor over each one. CMHA specifies 4–6 in lifts with a 7,000 lbf plate; with a lighter rental plate, spread thinner lifts of 2–3 in. A deep driveway base is several lifts, never one.
• Slope the finished base away from buildings so water runs off; the pavers follow whatever the base does.
• Screed the bedding sand to an even 1 in between pipes or rails. Do not walk on it or compact it; set the pavers on it, then compact the pavers to seat them.
• Sweep polymeric sand into dry joints, compact again, top up, blow the surface clean and then mist it as the bag directs.

Measuring and ordering tips

• For an L-shaped or curved patio, split it into rectangles and enter each one with “+ Add another area”; the pavers, base and sand are rounded once for the total. The perimeter counts every rectangle's full outline, so take off the edges where the areas meet when you order edge restraint. Curves add cuts, so lean toward the higher waste figure.
• Measure to the outside of the finished paver edge. The base has to run past the edge restraint so the spikes have stone to grip; if that strip is wide, add it to the length and width for the base order.
• Leave out edge restraint for sides that run against a house, a slab or a curb.
• Pavers are sold by the pallet or by the square foot. Buy all of them from one production run so the color matches, and keep a few spares.
• Bulk stone and sand are sold by the yard or the ton. Ask the yard what its material weighs; if it sells by the ton, use the tons figures.