Patio Paver Calculator: Count Pavers, Base and Sand

Buying patio pavers by area is only the first step. You also need a whole-unit order count, a cutting allowance and separate base and bedding quantities. This calculator uses a rectangular patio and the paver’s actual face dimensions in inches. It ignores joint spacing, so check the manufacturer’s coverage information before placing an order.

The paver count formula

Patio area equals length × width in feet. One paver’s face area equals its length × width in inches ÷ 144. Divide patio area by paver area, multiply by 1 + waste percentage ÷ 100, then round up to a whole paver. If your product is sold by pallet or mixed-size pattern kit, use the published kit coverage rather than treating each piece as an identical rectangle.

Example: 300 square feet with 12-by-12-inch pavers

A 20-by-15-foot patio covers 300 square feet. Each 12-by-12-inch unit covers one square foot without joints. A chosen 10% waste allowance gives 330 pavers. At an illustrative $3 each, the pavers alone cost $990. This does not include base, sand, edging, jointing material, delivery, tax or installation.

Base gravel and bedding sand are separate

For either layer, cubic yards = patio area × depth in inches ÷ 324. In the same example, an entered 4-inch compacted base depth gives 3.70 cubic yards; a 1-inch bedding depth gives 0.93 cubic yards. Those depths are example inputs, not specifications for every site or product.

The base result is the finished compacted volume. Ask your supplier and installer how much loose material to order; the tool does not apply a compaction factor or convert yards to tons. Soil, drainage, climate and loading affect the required base design. Follow the product system and site-specific installation plan.

Check the order before you pay

• Use actual dimensions or manufacturer coverage, not a nominal product name.
• Account separately for border units, steps and mixed-size patterns.
• Confirm pallet coverage, minimum order and whether returns are allowed.
• Keep bedding sand separate from jointing sand or polymeric joint material.
• Increase your chosen waste allowance if the cut plan requires it; this calculator does not optimize a layout.

Frequently asked questions

How many pavers do I need for a 20-by-15-foot patio?

For actual 12-by-12-inch pavers without joint spacing, the calculator returns 330 units with a chosen 10% waste allowance. Other dimensions and patterns produce different orders.

Does the count include joints?

No. It uses only the paver face area. Manufacturer coverage is preferable when joint spacing is significant or the product uses a mixed-size pattern.

Is the paver cost an installed price?

No. It is the rounded order count multiplied by your price per paver. Use the Patio Cost Calculator to budget labor and the remaining project expenses.