How it works
Measure the patio, enter the paver you picked, and get the count plus the bedding sand.
Measure the patio
Length and width in feet. For an irregular shape, break it into rectangles and add them up.
Enter the paver size
Nominal length and width in inches — the size printed on the pallet, not the measured stone.
Get the count
Pavers plus the bedding sand for a 1 inch setting layer.
Pattern decides your waste, not the patio
The paver count itself is simple arithmetic. Work out the patio area in square feet, work out how much area one paver covers, divide one by the other. A 9 by 6 inch paver covers 54 square inches, which is 0.375 ft², so a 120 ft² patio needs 320 of them before any allowance.
What actually moves the number is the pattern. A running bond or stack bond only cuts pavers along two edges, and a 10% allowance covers it comfortably. Herringbone meets every edge at 45 degrees, so the entire perimeter becomes cut pieces and the offcuts are mostly unusable — plan on 15%. Circular and fan patterns can push past 20%.
The bedding sand figure here is the 1 inch setting layer that goes directly under the pavers, screeded flat. It is not the base. Under that you need 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone for a patio and 8 to 12 inches for anything a car drives on — that is a separate calculation, and our gravel calculator handles it.
One practical note: buy the whole job in one delivery. Pavers are cured in batches and the colour shifts between them, in the same way tile does between dye lots. A pallet bought three weeks later will not match, and on a patio that difference is impossible to hide.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need for a 12x10 patio?
With a standard 9 by 6 inch paver, about 352 including 10% waste. Change the paver size and the count moves a lot, so enter the one you actually picked.
How much extra should I buy?
10% for running bond or stack bond, 15% for herringbone or diagonal layouts, and 20% for circular patterns.
How much base do I need under pavers?
4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone for a walkway or patio, and 8 to 12 inches for a driveway, plus the 1 inch of bedding sand this calculator gives you.
Why buy all the pavers at once?
Colour varies between production batches. Buying the full quantity in one delivery keeps the patio a consistent colour.
More material calculators
Estimates are for planning only. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.