landscapingHardscaping

Paver Patio & Walkway Calculator

Calculate the exact number of interlocking pavers, bedding sand, crushed stone base, and edge restraints needed for patios and driveways.

Enter Your Dimensions

US • ft
Today's Rates ($): Cement $14.5/bag • Sand $42/cft • Steel $1150/ton • Bricks $650/1k
$
Technical Cross-Section & Architecture
Compacted Subgrade Earth (95% Standard Proctor)4″ Compacted Crushed Stone Bedding (AASHTO #57)Poured Layer: 4″ Specified Thickness4″
Drafting Standard:ASTM / ACI 318 Standard
Subgrade Requirement:95% Modified Proctor Density
Placement Tolerance:± 1/4″ Elevation Variance
How Much to Buy
1188pavers
Metric yield: 240 sq ft
Total Weight5.8tons (subbase + sand)
Extra Added for Waste+10%Included in order
How We Calculated This
Total Surface Area20 ft × 12 ft
240 sq ft
Paver Unit Coverage(8" × 4") ÷ 144 sq in/ft²
0.222 sq ft per unit
Pavers Required (+ 10% cuts)(240 ÷ 0.222) × (1 + 10/100)
1188 units
Crushed Stone Road Base (4-6" compacted)Area × 4" depth + 15% compaction
3.41 cu yd (approx 4.8 tons)
Bedding Sand (1" layer)Area × 1" screed bed
0.74 cu yd (approx 1 tons)
Helpful Jobsite Tips

• Order 64 linear feet of rigid edge restraint along with 10-inch steel spikes.

• You will need approximately 4 bags (50 lb) of polymeric sand for joints.

• Rent a plate compactor to compact the gravel sub-base in 2-inch lifts for zero future settling.

Formula & Volumetric Method

Number of Pavers = (Patio Area ÷ Paver Area) × (1 + Waste%). Bedding sand is calculated at a consistent 1-inch screeded bed. Base gravel is calculated at 4-6 inches for patios or 8-12 inches for driveways.

Calculations are performed strictly using standard civil engineering constants. Volumetric outputs are normalized to true compaction rates, ensuring purchased quantities match jobsite yields.

Jobsite Engineering Guidelines
  • Excavate 7 to 9 inches below finished grade for pedestrian patios (4-6 inches compacted gravel base + 1 inch sand bed + paver thickness).
  • Never use stone dust or fine dirt for bedding; use coarse washed ASTM C33 concrete sand screeded evenly to exactly 1 inch.
  • Install rigid edge restraints spiked into the compacted base every 12 to 18 inches to prevent lateral spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the Paver Patio & Walkway Calculator for ordering materials?

Our calculations match standard store packaging sizes in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. We include a safety waste buffer (default 8% to 12%) so you do not run short due to uneven ground or spillage.

Why should I add extra for waste when ordering?

Uneven ground, cutting scrap, and leftover mix in the wheelbarrow or mixer drum consume an extra 5% to 15% of material. Ordering only the exact measurement usually leaves you short, which can lead to expensive extra delivery fees.

Does this calculator support both Imperial and Metric units?

Yes. You can switch between US Customary (feet, inches, cubic yards, pounds), Canadian units, UK metric, and Australian standards using the region selector in the header or the unit dropdown on each input.

Related Trade Tools

All 50 Tools