Paver Calculator - Pavers, Base Gravel, Sand & Edge Restraint
Paver jobs need more than paver count. The calculator estimates pavers, base gravel, bedding sand, perimeter edge restraint, waste, and cost.
Percent added for cuts, waste, settlement, or field loss.
Cost uses waste-adjusted paver count.
Change any value and the results, formula, and diagram update immediately. Use the same unit system throughout one estimate.
Pavers Per Square Foot Quick Reference
Pavers per square foot for common sizes. The calculator handles your specific paver dimensions.
| Paver size | Per sq ft | Per m² | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 8 in (Holland) | 4.5 | 48.4 | Driveway, walkway, classic brick paver |
| 6 x 6 in | 4.0 | 43.1 | Patio, accent |
| 6 x 9 in | 2.67 | 28.7 | Driveway, modern paver |
| 6 x 12 in | 2.0 | 21.5 | Walkways, modern patios |
| 12 x 12 in slab | 1.0 | 10.8 | Pavers, courtyards |
| 200 x 100 mm (UK) | 4.65 | 50.0 | Block paving, driveways |
| 230 x 115 x 60 mm (India) | 3.78 | 40.7 | Indian residential paving |
Multiply by waste factor: straight 5-10%, running bond 10%, herringbone 12-15%, circular or radial 15-20%.
The Real Paver Order - 4 Layers
A paver project is not just pavers. It is four stacked layers, each with its own material order:
- Excavation - dig down 8-10 in for a patio, 10-12 in for a driveway.
- Base gravel - 4-6 in compacted Class 5 (3/4 minus crushed stone, also called paver base, road base, or DOT base). Use the Gravel Calculator for tonnage.
- Bedding sand - 1 in of coarse sand (NOT play sand) screeded level. Use the Sand Calculator.
- Pavers - laid in pattern, cut at edges, swept clean.
- Joint sand / polymeric sand - swept into joints to lock pavers.
- Edge restraint - plastic or aluminum strip with spikes around the perimeter, holds pavers in place against soil pressure.
The base layer is the most common skipped step in DIY paver projects. Pavers settle within months without compacted base.
Paver Patterns and Waste
Running bond
Half-offset stagger. Simple, low waste (8-10%). Most common for walkways.
Stack bond
Aligned grid. Modern look. Lowest waste (5-8%). Weakest interlock under heavy vehicle load.
Herringbone (45 or 90 degree)
Interlocking V-pattern. Best for vehicle load. 12-15% waste from edge cuts.
Basketweave
Two pavers laid side by side, alternating direction. Traditional look. 10-12% waste.
Circular / radial
Around fountains or patio focal points. Specialty cut pavers - kits available. 15-20% waste.
Random / ashlar
Mixed sizes from a pattern kit (Belgard Roman Cobble, Pavestone Heritage). Boxes are pre-portioned; ordered as boxes not individual pavers.
Paver Materials
Concrete pavers
Most common. Cast in moulds with mineral pigments. 60-80 mm (2.4-3.1 in) thick for foot traffic, 80 mm for driveway.
Clay brick pavers
Fired clay - same as building brick but harder. Classic look, fade-resistant colour through the body.
Natural stone
Bluestone, limestone, granite, travertine. Premium material, sawn or split. More variation, more waste, higher cost.
Permeable pavers
Wider joints filled with stone, allowing water to drain through. Required by some stormwater codes for new construction.
Porcelain pavers
2 cm thick large-format porcelain on a paver pedestal system. Premium rooftop and terrace product.
Rubber / plastic pavers
Recycled rubber tiles. Play areas, dog runs, rooftop patios where weight matters.
Cost Estimates Around The World
2026 retail material prices for concrete pavers and installed costs.
| Region | Concrete pavers | Natural stone | Installed patio (concrete) | Installed driveway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (USD) | $3-7 / sq ft | $10-30 / sq ft | $15-30 / sq ft installed | $20-40 / sq ft installed |
| Canada (CAD) | C$4-10 / sq ft | C$15-40 / sq ft | C$22-45 / sq ft | C$30-55 / sq ft |
| United Kingdom (GBP) | £20-50 / m² | £50-120 / m² | £80-150 / m² installed | £120-200 / m² |
| Eurozone (EUR) | €20-55 / m² | €55-150 / m² | €90-180 / m² | €130-240 / m² |
| Australia (AUD) | A$35-80 / m² | A$80-200 / m² | A$140-260 / m² | A$200-380 / m² |
| India (INR) | ₹30-80 / sq ft (concrete) | ₹150-500 / sq ft (Kota, granite, sandstone) | ₹120-300 / sq ft installed | ₹180-450 / sq ft installed |
| Mexico (MXN) | MX$220-500 / m² | MX$500-1,400 / m² | MX$800-1,600 / m² | MX$1,200-2,400 / m² |
| Philippines (PHP) | PHP 350-800 / m² | PHP 800-2,000 / m² | PHP 1,500-3,200 / m² | PHP 2,000-4,500 / m² |
Brand reference: US - Belgard, Pavestone, Unilock, Techo-Bloc, Cambridge Pavingstones; UK - Marshalls, Bradstone, Brett Landscaping; Australia - Adbri, Boral, Anston; India - Nitco, Asian Paver, Premier Tiles. A two-person crew lays 80-150 sq ft of patio per day with base prep, more on simple patterns and flat ground.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the base gravel layer - pavers settle within a year.
- Using play sand or stone dust for bedding - washes out and pavers shift. Use coarse concrete sand.
- No edge restraint - pavers spread outward from the perimeter.
- Wrong base depth - 4 in for patio, 6+ in for driveway. Skimping leads to subsidence.
- Polymeric sand applied wet - hardens before it sweeps into joints. Apply dry, then mist water.
- Wrong slope - patios need 1/8 to 1/4 in per foot of slope for drainage.
- Mixing dye lots - colour banding shows. Mix from multiple pallets while laying.
- Pavers too thin for driveway use (60 mm) - they crack under vehicle load. Use 80 mm for vehicles.
Paver Calculator FAQ
How many pavers do I need for a 200 sq ft patio?
For 4x8 in pavers (4.5 per sq ft): 200 x 4.5 = 900 pavers. Add 10% waste = 990, order 1000. For 6x9 in: 200 x 2.67 = 534, order 600. Add herringbone waste (12%): order an extra 5-10% on top.
How thick should pavers be?
For walkways and patios: 60 mm (2.4 in) standard. For driveways with passenger vehicles: 80 mm (3.1 in) minimum. For light commercial or RV traffic: 100 mm (4 in). Thicker pavers cost more but carry heavier load without cracking.
How much base gravel under pavers?
4-6 in compacted Class 5 for walkways and patios. 6-10 in for driveways. The base must be wider than the paver area by 6 in on each side to support edge restraint. Compact in 2 in lifts with a plate compactor.
What sand goes between paver joints?
Polymeric sand for most modern installations - it hardens with water and locks pavers in place. Regular concrete sand also works but washes out and weeds grow in the joints. Skip play sand entirely.
Do I need edge restraint?
Yes for almost every paver job. Plastic restraint (Permaloc, Snap Edge) with 10 in spikes every 12 in. Without it, pavers along the perimeter slide outward and the field starts to gap.
How much slope do pavers need?
1/8 to 1/4 in per foot (1-2%) away from buildings and toward drainage. Flat patios collect water and grow algae and moss. Driveways usually slope toward the street.
Can I lay pavers over concrete?
Yes - use a bedding sand layer or mortar bed, with edge restraint or a frame at the perimeter. Sand-set over existing concrete is faster but requires a clean, flat substrate.
How much does a 400 sq ft paver patio cost?
US: $6,000-12,000 installed for concrete pavers. UK: £5,000-15,000. India: ₹120,000-200,000. Material is typically 30-40% of installed cost; rest is excavation, base prep, and labour.
How long do pavers last?
Concrete pavers: 25-50 years. Clay brick pavers: 50-100 years. Natural stone: indefinite. Pavers themselves outlast the base in many cases - settled base is the most common reason a paver patio needs reinstall.
Do pavers need to be sealed?
Optional but recommended in freeze-thaw climates. Sealer brings out colour, blocks staining, and slows efflorescence. Reapply every 3-5 years. Some installers skip sealer on natural-look projects.
Related Construction Calculators
For the gravel base, use the Gravel Calculator. For bedding sand, see the Sand Calculator. For tile or ceramic surfaces, switch to the Tile Calculator. For square footage measurement first, see the Square Footage Calculator. More tools live on the Construction Calculators hub.
Sources
- Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) - design and installation resources
- ASTM C936 standard specification for solid concrete interlocking paving units
- Belgard technical resources and installation guides
- Marshalls UK technical and design information
- Bureau of Indian Standards - IS 15658 (precast concrete pavers)
- NIST Handbook 44 unit conversion tables
This calculator is for planning and ordering conversations. Local code, project drawings, engineered design, and manufacturer instructions control the final work.