How to Calculate Pavers for a Patio
By the TapeMeasureCalc team · Updated · 7 min read
A paver patio is really four orders: the pavers, the gravel base underneath, a thin layer of bedding sand, and the edge restraint that stops the whole thing creeping outwards. This guide works out all four for a 12 × 14 ft patio, in feet and in metres.
Pavers per square foot
Divide 144 by the area of one paver in square inches. In metric, divide 1 by its area in square metres.
| Paver size | Per sq ft | Per m² |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (≈ 100 × 200 mm) | 4.5 | about 48 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | about 43 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | about 29 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | about 10.8 |
Many pavers have small spacer nubs on the sides, which leave a joint. Manufacturers often quote coverage per pallet or per square foot with joints included, so their figure is worth using if it’s printed.
Worked example: a 12 × 14 ft patio
- Area: 12 × 14 = 168 sq ft
- 4 × 8 in pavers: 168 × 4.5 = 756 pavers
- Straight running bond with 5% for cuts: 794 pavers
- Herringbone with 10%: 832 pavers
In metric, a 4 × 3.5 m patio is 14 m². With 200 × 100 mm pavers (50 per m²) that’s 700, or 735 with 5% extra.
How the pattern changes waste
A straight pattern laid parallel to the edges leaves cuts only along the borders. Herringbone and other angled patterns need a cut at every edge paver, and curves need even more. Start around 5% for simple layouts and 10% or more for angled patterns and curved edges, then add a few spare pavers for future repairs.
Base gravel and bedding sand
The base is compacted crushed stone; the sand is a thin, screeded layer the pavers sit on. Each is a simple volume: area × depth. The right depths depend on your soil, drainage and whether cars will drive on it, so follow the paver maker’s guide. Using a 4 in base and 1 in of sand as an example:
- Base: 168 × (4 ÷ 12) = 56 ft³, or 2.07 yd³
- Sand: 168 × (1 ÷ 12) = 14 ft³, or 0.52 yd³
In metric, 14 m² with a 100 mm base and 30 mm of sand needs 1.4 m³ of base and 0.42 m³ of sand.
Those are compacted volumes. Base material shrinks as it’s compacted, so ask your supplier how much extra to allow for theirs. The base also usually runs a few inches past the paver edge to support the edging.
Edge restraint
Edging goes around every edge that isn’t against a wall or step. The 12 × 14 ft patio has a perimeter of 52 ft. If one 14 ft side runs along the house, you need 38 ft of edging. Buy it in whatever lengths it’s sold in, rounding up.
Buying tips
- Pavers are often sold by the pallet. Compare the pallet quantity with your count before deciding on part pallets.
- Pull pavers from several pallets as you lay them so colour variation blends across the patio.
- Joint sand is a separate, small purchase. Follow its coverage guide.
- Keep a few spare pavers. Matching the colour later can be hard.
Do it with the calculators
The paver calculator counts pavers with waste and works out base and sand volumes together. To price the base by the ton, put its volume into the gravel calculator. For L-shaped patios, total the area first with the square footage calculator.