Paver Calculator
Estimate how many pavers you need for a patio or path, plus the gravel base and bedding sand.
About the Paver Calculator
Enter the area, the paver size, the joint width, a waste allowance, the depth of gravel base and bedding sand, and the price per paver. The calculator gives the number of pavers, pavers per m², the base and sand volumes and weights, and the paver cost.
Each paver plus its joint covers (length + joint) × (width + joint). Add 5–10% for cuts, more for curves and herringbone. Patios usually sit on 10–15 cm (4–6 in) of compacted gravel and 2.5–3 cm (1 in) of bedding sand.
The formula
Pavers = area ÷ ((L + joint) × (W + joint)) × (1 + waste)
Worked example
20 m² of 20 × 10 cm pavers with 3 mm joints and 7% waste
- Each covers 0.203 × 0.103 m: 47.8 per m²
- 20 × 47.8 × 1.07 = 1,024 pavers
- Gravel base 2 m³ (about 3.2 t), sand 0.6 m³ (about 1 t)
Questions people ask
How deep should the base be?
About 10 cm for patios and 15–30 cm for driveways, depending on soil.
Joint sand?
Polymeric or kiln-dried sand, roughly 1 bag per 4–5 m² for narrow joints.
Do I need edging?
Yes, a restraint around the edge stops pavers spreading over time.