How this is calculated
Each paver plus its joint gap occupies a rectangle on the ground. Patio area divided by that footprint gives the raw count; waste covers cuts along edges and breakage.
The sand line assumes a thin bedding layer under the pavers — not the compacted gravel sub-base. Use the Gravel and Sand calculators for those layers.
Buy from one dye lot when colour matters. Running out mid-patio and grabbing a different batch is how blotchy fields appear even when the count was correct.
Edge restraint and cutting along curves change labour more than the raw paver count. If the layout is a circle or freeform, sketch a sample bay and scale up instead of trusting a single rectangle.
Formula & methodology
Pavers = ceil((Patio area ÷ (paver + gap)²) × (1 + waste %)). Sand bed ≈ area × bedding depth.
Worked example
A 16 ft × 10 ft patio, 8 × 4 in pavers, 1/8 in gap
- 1.Patio = 160 ft²
- 2.Effective paver footprint ≈ 0.68 ft × 0.35 ft
- 3.Raw count ≈ 672 pavers; 8% waste → ~725 pavers
- 4.Sand bed at 1 in ≈ 0.6 yd³ — confirm with Sand Calculator
Frequently asked questions
How much paver waste?
8% suits a rectangle with a straight bond. Herringbone or diagonal layouts need 12–15%.
Gravel base under pavers?
Not in this count. A typical patio has 4–6 in of compacted gravel below the sand — use the Gravel Calculator.
Polymeric sand?
Joint sand for locking pavers is a separate product sold by the bag. This tool counts pavers and bedding sand only.
Different paver sizes?
Enter the actual dimensions from your supplier. Mixed-size patterns need a layout plan this simple grid math cannot replace.
Curved edges?
Rectangular math over-counts or under-counts on curves. Add 10–15% waste or sketch the layout and count a sample bay.
UK paving slabs?
Switch to metric and enter slab size in centimetres as sold at your merchant.
How thick is the sand bed?
Many patio installs use about 1 inch (25 mm) of bedding sand over compacted gravel. Confirm with your paver manufacturer — some systems want a different bedding.
Does this include base gravel?
No. Estimate gravel with the Gravel Calculator, bedding with the Sand Calculator, then use this tool for the paver count.
Last updated 2026-09-01. Formulas are planning methods — confirm with a supplier before you order.