Paver Calculator
A paver patio is three material layers, not one: the pavers you see, an inch of bedding sand underneath, and 4 inches of compacted gravel base below that. Skip the base and your patio sinks within a couple of seasons.
Enter your patio dimensions and this calculator estimates all three layers plus the paver cost — priced per square foot including a cutting-waste allowance.
- Patio area
- 144 sq ft
- Pavers with 10% waste
- 158.4 sq ft
- Paver cost (est.)
- $317 – $2,376
- Bedding sand (1 in)
- 24 bags (0.5 cu ft)
- Sand cost (est.)
- $96 – $192
- Base gravel (4 in)
- 1.78 cu yd
Pavers are priced per sq ft including waste. Base gravel is typically crusher run/road base, ordered by the cubic yard. For driveways, thicken the base to 6–8 inches.
How This Calculator Works
Pavers = L × W × (1 + Waste) | Sand bags = L × W × (1÷12) ÷ 0.5 | Base yd³ = L × W × (4÷12) ÷ 27- Multiply patio length × width for the surface area.
- Add the waste allowance (10% standard) to get the paver quantity to buy, priced per square foot.
- Bedding sand is 1 inch deep: area × 1/12 gives cubic feet; divide by 0.5 (a standard paver sand bag) and round up.
- Base gravel is 4 inches deep for patios: area × 4/12 ÷ 27 gives cubic yards to order.
- You'll also need paver edging and about 1 bag of polymeric sand per 50–80 sq ft to sweep into the joints.
Example: A 12 ft × 12 ft patio: 144 sq ft → 158 sq ft of pavers with 10% waste, 24 bags of bedding sand (12 cu ft), and 2.2 yd³ of base gravel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a paver patio cost in 2026?
DIY paver materials run roughly $2–$15 per sq ft — concrete pavers $2–$8, brick $4–$10, natural stone $8–$15. A 12 ft × 12 ft patio typically totals $400–$2,500 in materials. Professional installation adds $8–$20 per sq ft in labor.
How thick should the gravel base be under pavers?
4 inches of compacted gravel base is standard for patios and walkways on decent soil. Use 6–8 inches for driveways or clay-heavy soil, compacting in 2-inch lifts. The base — not the pavers — is what keeps a patio flat for decades.
How many pavers are in a square foot?
It depends on size: 4 in × 8 pavers = 4.5 per sq ft, 6 in × 6 = 4 per sq ft, 6 in × 9 = 2.67, and 12 in × 12 = 1 per sq ft. Suppliers sell by the pallet or bundle with a stated square-foot coverage, so order by coverage, not piece count.
Should I use polymeric sand or regular sand for the joints?
Use polymeric sand for the final joints — it hardens when wetted and resists washout, ants, and weeds. Regular sand is fine only under the pavers as bedding. Budget about 1 bag (40–50 lb) per 50–80 sq ft of patio with typical joints.
Can I lay pavers over an existing concrete slab?
Only if the slab is in good condition — no major cracks or settling. Use a ½–1 in sand or mortar bed directly on it, glued edge restraints, and drill weep holes for drainage. A slab that's already failing will transfer every crack up through your new pavers.
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Last updated: 2026-10-26