Exterior

Paver Calculator: Pavers, Base Gravel and Sand

Paver count plus the base gravel, bedding sand and edging that make up most of the real cost of a patio.

Your measurements

Pavers to buy

538pavers

202 sq ft including 5% waste

Patio area
192 sq ft
With waste5% for a running pattern
202 sq ft
Base gravel4 in compacted, plus 10% for compaction loss
2.61 cu yd
Bedding sand1 in screed layer
0.59 cu yd
Polymeric joint sand
3 × 50 lb bags
Edge restraintPlus spikes at 12 in centres
59 ft
Material cost$6–$16 per sq ft for pavers, base and sand
$1,152 – $3,072
Installed costTypical contractor pricing including excavation
$2,880 – $6,720
  • The base is the patio. A 4–6 in compacted gravel base, screeded level and compacted in 2 in lifts, is what stops the surface heaving and dipping — the pavers themselves are just the wear layer.
  • Slope the finished surface away from the house at about 1/4 in per foot. A dead-level patio drains toward whatever settles first, and that is usually the foundation.
  • Edge restraint is not optional. Without it the perimeter pavers migrate outward, the joints open, and the field unravels from the edge in.

How this is calculated

  • Paver count is the patio area plus a pattern waste factor, divided by the face area of one paver. Herringbone and curved edges cut more pavers at the perimeter, hence the higher factors.
  • Base gravel is area × base depth plus 10% for compaction loss — gravel loses roughly that much volume when it is properly compacted in lifts.
  • Bedding sand is a 1 in screed layer across the whole area. Polymeric joint sand covers about 80 sq ft per 50 lb bag on standard joints.
  • Edge restraint is the perimeter plus 5%. Cost ranges are typical 2025–2026 US material and installed pricing per square foot.

Quantities are rounded up, because materials are sold in whole units and a second trip costs more than a spare box. Cost figures are typical US ranges and are not a quote — always price against your own supplier.

Frequently asked questions

How many pavers do I need for a 16x12 patio?

192 sq ft plus 5% waste is 202 sq ft. With 6 × 9 in pavers (0.375 sq ft each) that is 538 pavers. With 12 × 12 in slabs, 202.

How deep should the base be under pavers?

4 inches of compacted gravel for a patio or walkway, 6 inches where the ground freezes, and 8–12 inches for a driveway. Compact in 2 in lifts — a single deep dump never compacts properly.

How much does a paver patio cost?

$6–$16 per square foot in materials, or $15–$35 per square foot installed by a contractor. A 200 sq ft patio is therefore roughly $1,200–$3,200 DIY, or $3,000–$7,000 installed.

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