Paver Calculator
Enter the length, width, and openings of the area you’re paving to find out how many pavers and bags of paver base sand you need. The calculator adjusts for square, brick-style, and large-format paver sizes.
Total area of doors, windows or other openings to subtract.
Covers cuts, breakage and layout waste. 5–10% is normal.
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Ordering tips
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Coverage & waste
Material profile
For an 18 ft × 14 ft area (252 sq ft) with no openings, you need 277.2 sq ft of net paver coverage after a 10% waste allowance. Using 12×12in square paver at 1.0 sq ft each, that comes to 278 pavers, plus 6 bags of paver base sand — about $818.50 total at $2.75 per paver and $9 per bag.
How many pavers do common project sizes need?
These figures use 12×12in square paver (1.0 sq ft each) and a 10% waste allowance.
| Area size | Openings | Pavers needed | Sand bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft × 10 ft | 0 sq ft | 132 pavers | 3 bags |
| 16 ft × 12 ft | 0 sq ft | 212 pavers | 5 bags |
| 18 ft × 14 ft | 20 sq ft | 256 pavers | 6 bags |
| 22 ft × 16 ft | 0 sq ft | 388 pavers | 8 bags |
| 26 ft × 20 ft | 30 sq ft | 564 pavers | 12 bags |
| 35 ft × 25 ft | 0 sq ft | 963 pavers | 20 bags |
Paver sizes and coverage per unit
| Type | Coverage / unit | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 x 12in square paver | 1.0 sq ft | 12 x 12in | Patios, walkways |
| Brick-style paver (4 x 8in) | 0.35 sq ft | 4 x 8in | Traditional walkways |
| 16 x 24in large-format paver | 2.67 sq ft | 16 x 24in | Driveways, large patios |
How to calculate how many pavers you need
- Measure the area Multiply length by width in feet to get the gross area to be paved.
- Subtract openings Deduct the square footage of any fixed features, drains, or planting beds that won’t be paved.
- Add your waste allowance Multiply net area by 1 plus your waste percentage (10% is typical) to cover cuts around edges and borders.
- Divide by coverage per paver Divide by the coverage of your chosen paver — 1.0 sq ft for 12×12in square, 0.35 sq ft for brick-style, 2.67 sq ft for 16×24in large-format — and round up.
- Calculate paver base sand bags Divide the paver count by roughly 50 pavers per bag of bedding sand and round up.
Worked example
Here’s the math for an 18 ft × 14 ft area with no openings using 12×12in square paver.
- Area length × width18 ft × 14 ft = 252 sq ft
- Openings deducted0 sq ft
- Net paver area252 sq ft
- Area with 10% waste277.2 sq ft
- Pavers needed (1.0 sq ft each, 12×12in)278 pavers
- Sand bags (1 per 50 pavers)6 bags
- Estimated material cost278 × $2.75 + 6 × $9 = $818.50
Typical paved area sizes and quantities
| Project | Net area | Quantity needed |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path (3×25 ft) | 75 sq ft | 83 pavers |
| Side yard walkway (4×30 ft) | 120 sq ft | 132 pavers |
| Standard patio (14×14 ft) | 196 sq ft | 216 pavers |
| Two-car driveway (20×24 ft) | 480 sq ft | 528 pavers |
| Wraparound porch patio (25×18 ft) | 450 sq ft | 496 pavers |
Ordering pavers by the pallet
Pavers typically ship on pallets sized to unit — around 100–140 units for 12×12in square paver, more for brick-style, fewer for large-format. Order from the same production run when possible, since color and texture can shift between batches and a mismatched section is hard to disguise once installed. Add extra pavers beyond your calculated total for future repairs or replacements.
- Small jobs (under 200 pavers)Order from a single lot so color and finish match throughout
- Medium jobs (200–1,000 pavers)Confirm pallet count and set aside 3–5% extra from the same run for repairs
- Large jobs (1,000+ pavers)Order by the full pallet and ask your supplier to hold the lot or batch number
Common mistakes
- Not deducting fixed features from the areaDrains, planting beds, and utility covers reduce the net area that actually needs pavers
- Using the wrong coverage figure for paver sizeSquare, brick-style, and large-format pavers cover very different square footage per unit
- Underestimating waste for cuts along bordersCurved edges, herringbone, and running-bond patterns use more material than a simple grid
- Skipping the paver base sand layerA proper bedding sand layer keeps pavers level and prevents shifting or settling over time
- Mixing pavers from different lotsColor and texture variation between production runs is very noticeable once installed
- Not ordering extra for future repairsDiscontinued paver styles make matching replacements difficult years later — keep 3–5% in reserve
What this calculator assumes
Adjust your result if your project differs from these.
- Coverage per paver (1.0 sq ft for 12×12in square, 0.35 sq ft for brick-style, 2.67 sq ft for 16×24in large-format) assumes standard butt joints with polymeric sand.
- Openings for drains, planting beds, and fixed features are subtracted from gross area before waste is applied.
- The default 10% waste allowance covers cuts, breakage, and border trimming.
- Paver base sand bags are estimated at roughly 1 per 50 square pavers; other sizes need proportionally different sand coverage.
- Paver and sand bag counts are rounded up to the nearest whole unit.
- Pricing is a regional estimate — confirm current paver and sand prices with your supplier.
Common questions
How many pavers per square foot?
12×12in square paver needs exactly 1 paver per sq ft, since each unit covers 1.0 sq ft including its joint.
Which paver size uses the fewest units?
Large-format 16×24in paver covers 2.67 sq ft each, so it needs the fewest units per square foot of any style in this calculator.
How much paver base sand do I need?
Roughly 1 bag covers 50 square pavers, though this varies with bedding depth and paver size.
How many pavers come on a pallet?
It depends on size — 12×12in square paver typically ships around 100–140 per pallet, while brick-style pavers ship several hundred per pallet.
Should I deduct drains or planting beds from the area?
Yes. Subtract the footprint of any fixed features from your gross area before calculating paver count.
How much waste should I add for pavers?
10% is standard for a simple grid pattern. Increase to 15% or more for herringbone, running-bond, or curved layouts.
What base do pavers need underneath them?
A compacted aggregate base topped with about 1 in of paver base sand is standard for driveways, patios, and walkways alike.
How much do pavers cost per square foot installed?
At $2.75 per paver and 1 paver per sq ft, material alone runs about $2.75 per sq ft before labor, base, and sand.
Can I use this calculator for a driveway?
Yes — enter your driveway’s length and width the same way as a patio, though driveways typically need a deeper compacted base for vehicle loads.
Do I need edge restraints around a paved area?
Yes. Plastic or metal edge restraints anchor the outer row of pavers and keep the whole field from spreading over time.
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Project
| Wall size | — |
| Openings deducted | — |
| Net area | — |
| Material | — |
| Waste allowance | — |
Shopping list
| Units needed | — |
| Mortar / mix | — |
| Estimated total cost | — |
Notes
Estimate generated by materialcalculate.com. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.