Calculator
Paver Calculator
Calculate pavers, base gravel, bedding sand and cost for your patio or driveway.
Model reviewed August 2026
Pavers needed
1,120 pavers
Includes 5% waste
- Base rock
- 4.9 cubic yards
- Bedding sand
- 1.2 cubic yards
- Polymeric sand
- 5 bags
- Installed cost estimate
- $4,800 – $12,000
Estimates only. Local pricing, site conditions and code requirements change the real number.
The formula
Pavers = area / paver area x (1 + waste); Base = area x base depth / 27 cubic yards
Patios need a 4-inch compacted base; driveways need 6 to 8 inches, and more where soils are sandy or poorly draining. Bedding sand is always 1 inch.
Worked example
A 400 sq ft patio with 6x9 pavers takes about 1,067 pavers with 5% waste, 5 cubic yards of base and 1.3 cubic yards of bedding sand.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers per square foot?
It depends on size: 4.5 pavers per sq ft for 4x8, 2.67 for 6x9, and 1 for 12x12. Add 5-10% for cuts.
Sources
Sources & verification
- International Residential Code — decks and exterior structures (R507)
- ICPI segmental paving installation guidance
- International Code Council (IRC/IBC)
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.