Patios & walkways
Paver Calculator
Estimate pavers, packages, base gravel, bedding sand, polymeric sand, edging, waste, and material cost for patios and walkways.
Estimated order quantity
0 pavers
0 packages
Planning estimate only. Verify product specifications, site conditions, and supplier purchase increments before ordering.
How the paver estimate works
Project area is divided by the face area of one paver. The selected waste allowance is then added and the result is rounded up to a whole paver. When you enter pavers per package, packages are also rounded up.
Base or sand: area × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27, then add waste
Edging: exposed project perimeter × (1 + waste)
Base gravel and bedding sand assumptions
The base result uses your compacted depth and adds the same visible allowance selected for the project. A 4- to 8-inch compacted aggregate base is common for many pedestrian projects, while local soil, drainage, climate, loads, and the selected system may require a different design. Bedding sand is commonly planned at about 1 inch after compaction. Confirm the paver manufacturer and local specifications.
Polymeric sand and edging
Joint-sand coverage varies widely with paver shape, joint width, depth, and bag size. Enter the coverage printed on the chosen bag. Edging is estimated from the full outside perimeter; subtract edges restrained by an existing wall or curb if they do not need edge restraint.
Worked example
For a 20 × 10 ft patio using 4 × 8 in pavers and 10% waste, the estimate is 990 pavers. With a 6-inch base, 1-inch bedding layer, 50 sq ft of joint coverage per bag, and restraint on all sides, plan for about 4.1 yd³ of base gravel, 0.7 yd³ of bedding sand, 4 bags of polymeric sand, and 66 linear feet of edging.
Planning notes
- Measure irregular patios as separate rectangles or circles and add the results.
- Use the actual package count and coverage from your selected product.
- Do not use this planning estimate as a pavement or drainage design.
- Confirm excavation depth, slope, utilities, permits, and supplier increments before purchasing.
Paver calculator FAQ
How much extra should I add for cuts and breakage?
Ten percent is a practical starting point for a simple rectangular layout. Five percent may suit a simple running bond with few cuts; curves, diagonal layouts, and complex patterns may need 15% to 20%.
Does paver size include the joint?
This calculator uses the entered face dimensions. Some manufacturers publish nominal dimensions that account for spacer bars or joints, so use the stated coverage per square foot when it differs from simple length × width.
How deep should a paver base be?
Pedestrian patios and walkways often use 4 to 8 inches of compacted aggregate, but soil, frost, drainage, loads, and product instructions control the final design.
How many bags of polymeric sand are needed?
Bag coverage depends on joints and paver geometry. Enter the manufacturer’s stated square-foot coverage for the closest joint size and paver type.