How many pavers do I need per square foot?

The number of pavers per square foot depends on paver size: 4×8 inch pavers = 4.5 per sq ft, 6×6 inch = 4 per sq ft, 6×9 inch = 2.67 per sq ft, and 12×12 inch = 1 per sq ft. Add 5% extra for straight cuts and 10% for diagonal patterns like herringbone. These counts assume standard 3/16-inch joint spacing.

How much sand do I need under pavers?

You need two types of sand for a paver project: bedding sand (1 inch thick layer under the pavers) at about 100 lbs per 15 sq ft, and polymeric jointing sand to fill joints at about 1 bag (50 lbs) per 30–75 sq ft depending on paver size and joint width. For a 200 sq ft patio, plan on approximately 0.6 tons of bedding sand and 3–7 bags of polymeric sand.

How deep should a paver base be?

Paver base depth depends on use: patios and walkways need 4–6 inches of compacted gravel, residential driveways need 8–12 inches, and commercial areas need 12+ inches. Always use angular crushed stone (not round gravel) for the base — it compacts and interlocks much better. The base should be compacted in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor.

What is the cheapest type of paver?

Standard concrete pavers are the cheapest at $2–$5 per square foot for materials. Brick pavers cost $4–$8/sq ft, permeable pavers $5–$10/sq ft, and natural stone (flagstone, travertine, bluestone) costs $8–$25/sq ft. Installed costs add $6–$12/sq ft for labor. A 300 sq ft patio with concrete pavers runs $2,400–$5,100 installed.

Paver Calculator — Count, Sand, Gravel & Cost

How to Calculate Pavers for Any Project

Ordering the right number of pavers means less waste and fewer trips to the supply yard. Here's everything you need to know to estimate pavers, base materials, and sand for patios, walkways, and driveways.

Paver Count by Size

Paver Size	Pavers per Sq Ft	100 Sq Ft	200 Sq Ft	500 Sq Ft
4" × 8"	4.5	473	945	2,363
6" × 6"	4.0	420	840	2,100
6" × 9"	2.67	280	561	1,402
12" × 12"	1.0	105	210	525

*Counts include 5% waste factor for running bond/stack patterns.

Paver Cost Comparison (2026, materials only)

Paver Type	Cost per Sq Ft	200 Sq Ft Patio	Pros	Cons
Concrete pavers	$2–$5	$400–$1,000	Cheapest, many colors/shapes	Can fade over time
Clay brick pavers	$4–$8	$800–$1,600	Classic look, color-through	Limited shapes, heavier
Permeable pavers	$5–$10	$1,000–$2,000	Drainage, eco-friendly	More expensive, special base
Travertine	$8–$15	$1,600–$3,000	Elegant, cool underfoot	Porous, needs sealing
Bluestone	$10–$20	$2,000–$4,000	Beautiful, very durable	Expensive, heavy
Flagstone (irregular)	$8–$25	$1,600–$5,000	Natural look, unique	Uneven, harder to lay

Layout Pattern Waste Factors

Running bond / stack bond: 5% waste — straight cuts only, very efficient.
Herringbone (45°): 10% waste — diagonal cuts at all edges, but strongest interlock pattern. Best for driveways.
Basketweave: 5–8% waste — pairs of pavers alternating direction. Classic look, moderate cuts.
Circular / fan patterns: 15–20% waste — lots of cuts. Beautiful but expensive.

Base Material Guide

Application	Gravel Base	Bedding Sand	Total Depth
Walkway (foot traffic only)	4"	1"	5" + paver
Patio (standard)	6"	1"	7" + paver
Residential driveway	8–10"	1"	9–11" + paver
Commercial / heavy traffic	12"	1"	13" + paver

Step-by-Step Paver Installation

Excavate to full depth (base + sand + paver thickness). For a patio with 6" base, 1" sand, and 2.375" pavers, dig 9.5" deep.
Compact the subgrade with a plate compactor. If soil is soft or clay, add geotextile fabric to prevent migration.
Install edge restraints first — they hold everything in place. Use aluminum or plastic paver edging staked every 12 inches.
Spread and compact gravel base in 2" lifts. Each lift gets compacted separately. Use ¾" minus crushed stone (not round gravel).
Screed 1" of bedding sand. Use 1" diameter pipes as screed guides. Sand should be coarse, not play sand.
Lay pavers from one corner, working outward. Pull pavers from multiple pallets to mix color variation.
Cut edge pavers with a wet saw or splitter. Mark cuts with chalk, cut with diamond blade.
Compact pavers with a plate compactor (use a rubber pad to prevent scratching). This sets them into the sand bed.
Sweep polymeric sand into joints, mist with water to activate. This locks pavers together and prevents weed growth.

Money-Saving Tips

Concrete pavers are 50–70% cheaper than natural stone and modern manufacturing makes them nearly indistinguishable at a glance.
Buy pavers by the pallet. Per-paver pricing drops 20–30% when buying full pallets vs. individual pieces.
DIY saves $6–$12/sq ft in labor. A 300 sq ft patio saves $1,800–$3,600 in labor costs.
Rent a plate compactor ($60–$90/day) and wet saw ($50–$75/day) rather than buying.
Order 10% extra pavers. Getting a color-matched batch later is often impossible. Store extras for future repairs.

Paver Calculator — Count, Sand & Cost

🧱 Paver Project Details

Materials & Cost Estimate