Paver Calculator
Estimate how many pavers you need for a patio or path.
Extra for cuts, breakage and edges.
Results update as you type.
How it works
A paver calculator estimates how many pavers you need to surface a patio, walkway, driveway or pool surround, from the total area and the size of a single paver. Because pavers are sold and laid as whole units, the tool converts each paver's dimensions from inches into square feet, divides the project area by that figure to find how many pavers tile the surface, and adds a waste margin before rounding up. The waste allowance is the part that saves the job: pavers are cut to fit against edges, around curves and at corners, and the offcuts are rarely reusable, while some crack during delivery, handling and compaction. A five to ten percent margin covers this for a simple rectangular layout, and intricate patterns such as herringbone or circular designs, or areas with many angled edges, waste more and deserve a higher figure. Ordering the exact count almost always leaves you short, and a top-up order may arrive from a different production batch with a slightly different colour or texture that stands out in the finished surface. This estimate counts the pavers themselves; it does not size the base gravel, bedding sand or polymeric joint sand a proper installation needs, so plan those separately from the same area. Landscapers, hardscape contractors and homeowners use it to price a project and order close to the right quantity, keeping a few spare pavers from the same batch for future repairs.
Paver area (ft²) = (length × width) ÷ 144; pavers = ⌈area ÷ paver area × (1 + waste%)⌉
Each paver's face area is found by multiplying its length and width in inches and dividing by 144, the number of square inches in a square foot, so it can be compared with the project area measured in square feet. Dividing the total area by that per-paver area gives the number of pavers needed to tile the surface with no gaps. Multiplying by one plus the waste fraction adds a margin for the pavers cut down at borders and curves, plus those cracked in handling, and rounding up ensures you buy whole pavers because a fraction of a paver cannot be purchased.
Source:Standard construction estimation
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter area to cover, paver length and paver width.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust waste allowance if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Pavers needed updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
Divide one by the paver's area in square feet. A 12-by-12-inch paver covers exactly one square foot, so you need about one per square foot, while a 6-by-6-inch paver covers a quarter of a square foot and needs four. The calculator does this conversion for you from the paver dimensions you enter, then adds a waste margin, so you get the total count rather than a per-square-foot rate to multiply yourself.
How much waste should I add for pavers?
Five percent is a sensible default for a simple rectangular patio laid in a straight or running-bond pattern, and it is the calculator's starting value. Herringbone, basketweave, circular and diagonal layouts waste more because of the angled cuts, so use ten percent or higher for those. The margin covers pavers cut to fit borders and curves plus breakage in handling. A small surplus is far cheaper than a second batch that may not match.
Does this calculator include the base and sand?
No. It counts only the pavers themselves. A durable installation also needs a compacted gravel base, usually four to six inches deep, a bedding layer of sand, and polymeric jointing sand swept between the pavers. Calculate the gravel and bedding sand from the same area and your chosen depths, and buy jointing sand according to the paver size and joint width, since narrower joints and larger pavers use less.
Why should I keep spare pavers?
Pavers are produced in batches, and colour and texture can shift subtly between production runs. If you crack or stain a paver years later and replace it with newly bought stock, the repair can stand out against the weathered originals. Setting aside a small number of spares from your original batch, stored dry and out of the sun, lets you make an invisible repair. Ordering a slight surplus for this reason is common practice.
How do I measure an irregular patio for pavers?
Split the shape into simple rectangles and, where needed, triangles, calculate the area of each, and add them together before entering the total. For curved edges, approximate with the rectangle that best contains the curve and let the waste margin absorb the overage. Measuring slightly generously and rounding the area up is safer than rounding down, because running short means an extra delivery and a possible batch mismatch.