Loading Calculator...
Please wait a moment
Please wait a moment
Calculate materials needed for your paver project including pavers, base gravel, bedding sand, joint sand, and edge restraint. Get accurate estimates for patios, driveways, and walkways.
Standard 1 inch bedding layer
Total waste: 15% (pattern + additional)
6" × 9" with 15% waste
Includes base, bedding sand, and 2.5" average paver thickness
Let us know if this calculator was useful
289 people found this calculator helpful
Calculating pavers is straightforward using this formula:
The number of pavers per square foot depends on the paver size. Common sizes include:
Patio: 15 ft × 20 ft = 300 sq ft
Paver: 6" × 9" (2.67 per sq ft)
Pattern: Herringbone 45° (+12% waste)
Additional: +10% waste
Waste factor = 1 + 0.22 = 1.22
Pavers = 300 × 2.67 × 1.22
Pavers = 977 pieces
At $2.50/paver: 977 × $2.50 = $2,442.50
The base depth depends on the intended use and soil conditions:
| Application | Base Depth | Traffic Load | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walkway | 4 inches | Pedestrian only | Light foot traffic, minimal load |
| Patio | 4-6 inches | Pedestrian + furniture | Use 6" for unstable soil |
| Driveway | 8 inches | Vehicular traffic | Must support vehicle weight |
| Commercial | 10-12 inches | Heavy vehicles | Requires engineering approval |
Pro Tip: In areas with freeze-thaw cycles, increase base depth by 2 inches to prevent heaving. Poor soil conditions may require geotextile fabric and additional base material.
Different patterns require varying amounts of cutting, affecting material waste:
| Pattern | Cutting Waste | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running Bond | 5% | Easy | Patios, walkways, general use |
| Stack Bond | 5% | Easy | Modern designs, simple layouts |
| Basketweave | 8% | Moderate | Traditional patios, courtyards |
| Herringbone 90° | 10% | Moderate | Driveways, high-traffic areas |
| Herringbone 45° | 12% | Advanced | Maximum interlock for driveways |
Note: Herringbone patterns provide the best interlock and are recommended for driveways. Running bond is the most economical for patios and walkways.
Compacted and graded with proper slope
Prevents base migration into soil
Crushed stone, compacted in lifts
Screeded smooth, not compacted
Installed per pattern, compacted
Swept and compacted into joints
Plastic, aluminum, or concrete
Use crushed stone (3/4" minus) or crushed gravel. Avoid round river rock as it doesn't compact well. Compact in 2-3 inch lifts to 95% density.
Use coarse concrete sand (ASTM C33). Screeded to exact 1 inch depth. Never use mason sand or fine sand. Do not compact before laying pavers.
Regular: Fine silica sand, requires periodic replacement.
Polymeric: Sand with polymer binder, hardens when wet, resists weeds and ants, more expensive but lasts longer.
A paver driveway requires an 8-inch compacted base of crushed stone for typical passenger vehicles. For heavy vehicles or poor soil, increase to 10-12 inches. Use 1 inch bedding sand and ensure edge restraint is installed.
Herringbone 45° or 90° patterns provide the best interlock and load distribution for driveways. While they require more cutting waste (10-12%), they prevent paver movement under vehicle traffic better than running bond or stack patterns.
Polymeric sand is recommended for most applications. It costs 3-4× more but hardens when activated with water, preventing weed growth, ant nests, and sand washout. Regular sand is suitable for low-budget projects but requires periodic replacement.
Plastic paver restraint is most common for residential projects ($2-4 per foot). Aluminum edging is used commercially ($8-12 per foot). Concrete soldier course (pavers set in concrete) provides a permanent, decorative border but is more expensive and labor-intensive.
Cutting waste depends on pattern complexity: Running bond and stack patterns need 5% waste, basketweave 8%, herringbone 90° needs 10%, and herringbone 45° requires 12%. Add 5-10% additional waste for breakage and mistakes, especially for DIY projects.
Sealing is optional but recommended. It enhances color, prevents staining, and makes cleaning easier. Wait 60-90 days after installation for efflorescence to dissipate. Reapply every 2-3 years. Cost is $1-2 per square foot for professional sealing.
Pavers need a minimum 2% slope (1/4 inch per foot) for drainage. For a 15-foot patio, drop should be 3.75 inches from high to low point. Slope away from buildings to prevent water damage. Use a long level and string line during base preparation.
Check out construction calculators for more tools