HowMuchIt / Pavers
How many pavers do I need?
Divide the patio's area by the area of one paver. The calculator also works out the gravel base and the bedding sand, in cubic yards.
Work out your pavers, base and sand
| Layer | Depth |
|---|---|
| Compacted gravel base | 6 to 8 in, in layers of 2 to 3 in |
| Bedding sand | about 1 in |
| Joints | polymeric sand, swept in |
What goes under the pavers
For a patio or walkway, 6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel base fits both big makers' ranges. Compact it in layers of 2 to 3 inches, not all at once. On top goes a bed of sand about an inch thick, then the pavers. An edge restraint of plastic, aluminum or concrete holds the sides so the pavers cannot drift. Finally, sweep polymeric sand into the joints and set it with a fine mist of water.
Questions people ask
How many 4 x 8 pavers for a 12 x 12 patio?
144 sq ft / 0.222 = 648 pavers, before extra for cuts.
How much base for a patio?
6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel: 2.7 to 3.6 cubic yards for 144 sq ft.
Good to know
- Number of pavers = area to pave in square feet / area of one paver in square feet.1,2
- Order extra pavers to cover cuts and broken pieces.2,3
- For patios and walkways, 6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel base fits both makers' ranges (Pavestone 4 to 8 inches, Unilock 6 to 8 inches).4,5
- Compact the gravel base in layers about 2 to 3 inches thick, not all at once.5,6
- Pavers sit on a bed of sand about 1 inch thick (Pavestone allows up to 1 1/2 inches) spread over the compacted base.2,4,5,6
- An edge restraint (plastic, aluminum or concrete edging) is needed around the edges so the pavers cannot drift sideways.3,5,6
- Fill the joints by sweeping polymeric sand into them after the pavers are laid and compacted, then set it with a fine mist of water.2,6,7
How we checked this page
Checked on October 27, 2026. We kept a fact only when two independent publishers agree, and each one is numbered to its sources below. Where sources give different numbers, we keep only what they share. We never write a price. This page was written with an AI assistant and checked against the sources below.
Sources
- Paver Calculator: How Many Pavers Do I Need?, Angi
- Paver Calculator, Inch Calculator
- How to Install a Permeable-Paver Driveway, This Old House
- Holland Stone Series cut sheet (installation specification), Pavestone
- Project Planning Guide / Basic Tech Guide (Typical Paver Base Thickness), Unilock
- How to Install a Concrete Paver Walkway, This Old House
- PolySand Premium Polymeric Jointing Sand cut sheet, Pavestone