20×10 ft, 6×12 in pavers, 10% waste
- Area = 200 sq ft
- Pavers ≈ 400
- Base ≈ 2.47 yd³
construction calculator
Paver Calculator
Estimate paver count and base material from area and paver size.
Results
- Area (sq ft)
- 200.00
- Pavers per sq ft
- 2.00
- Total pavers
- 440.00
- Base material (cubic yd)
- 2.47
How to use this calculator
- Enter area dimensions in feet and your paver size in inches.
- Choose a base depth and waste allowance for cuts and breakage.
- Review pavers per square foot, total pavers, and base gravel volume in cubic yards.
Inputs explained
- Area length/width
- Overall patio or walkway footprint in feet.
- Paver length/width
- Dimensions of one paver in inches.
- Base depth
- Compacted base thickness in inches (often 4–6 in for walks, 8–12 in for driveways).
- Waste allowance
- Extra percentage for cuts, breakage, and pattern layout.
How it works
Pavers per sq ft = 144 ÷ (paver length × width in square inches).
Total pavers = area × pavers per sq ft × (1 + waste).
Base volume = area × depth (ft) converted to cubic yards.
Formula
Pavers = Area × (144 ÷ paver in²) × (1 + waste) Base yd³ = Area × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27
When to use it
- Estimating paver counts before ordering pallets.
- Budgeting base gravel volume for excavation and delivery.
- Comparing patterns or paver sizes for the same footprint.
Tips & cautions
- Increase waste for diagonal/herringbone patterns or lots of edge cuts.
- Base depth varies by soil and load: go thicker for driveways or soft soils.
- Add a thin bedding layer (e.g., 1 in sand) separately; this calculator focuses on base gravel.
- Assumes a rectangular area; complex shapes should be broken into smaller rectangles.
- Does not include edge restraints, bedding sand, or joint sand quantities.
- Backfill/compaction factors vary by material—yardage is an estimate.
Worked examples
12×12 ft, 4×8 in pavers, 8% waste
- Area = 144 sq ft
- Pavers ≈ 648
- Base ≈ 1.42 yd³
Deep dive
This paver calculator estimates total pavers and base gravel for patios, walkways, and driveways. Enter area size, paver dimensions, base depth, and waste to plan your order before digging.
Use it to size pallets and gravel deliveries, accounting for cuts and breakage. Increase waste for complex patterns and consider thicker bases for vehicle loads or poor soil conditions.
FAQs
- How much base depth should I use?
- Walkways often use 4–6 in of compacted base; driveways commonly use 8–12 in. Adjust for soil and climate.
- Does this include bedding sand?
- No. Add a separate 1 in bedding layer if your installation requires it.
- How do I convert base volume to tons?
- Multiply cubic yards by your material’s density (e.g., ~1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone).
- Should I increase waste for certain patterns?
- Yes. Herringbone or lots of edge cuts may need 10–15% waste versus 5–8% for simple running bond.
- Can I use this for irregular shapes?
- Break the project into rectangles, total the areas, and run the calculator with the combined square footage.
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