Paver Calculator
Enter the area and paver size to find how many pavers, how much base and how much sand you need.
What this tool does
The number of pavers is the area divided by the area of one paver including its joint. A 5 m × 4 m patio laid with 300 × 300 mm pavers and 3 mm joints needs about 218 pavers, or about 240 with a 10% allowance for cuts. Enter your own area and paver size above.
Divides the area by the footprint of one paver including its joint.
Adds a waste allowance and converts base and sand depths into volumes.
How to use it
- Choose metric or imperial.
- Enter the length and width of the area.
- Enter the paver size, the joint width, the base depth and the sand depth.
- Read the pavers, the base volume and the sand volume.
Why use this calculator
Counts pavers from the area and the real paver size plus the joint, and also works out the compacted base and bedding sand you need to buy. Patio materials arrive in pallets and are hard to return. A calculator that includes the joints, the cuts and the sub-base volume prevents under-ordering and a second delivery.
Why we built it
We built the paver calculator to count pavers with their joints and also give the base material and bedding sand, so one delivery covers the job. Estimate the gravel with the gravel calculator and the slab with the concrete calculator.
Who this tool is for
- Homeowners planning a patio or path
- Landscapers quoting paving jobs
- DIY builders ordering materials
When to use it
- Planning a patio, path or driveway.
- Pricing a quote from a landscaper.
- Estimating the sub-base before excavating.
- Comparing paver sizes.
How it works
Pavers = area ÷ ((paver length + joint) × (paver width + joint)), multiplied by (1 + waste). Base material volume = area × compacted base depth; sand volume = area × bedding depth. Volumes are shown in cubic metres, or cubic yards if you choose imperial.
Example: a 5 × 4 m patio is 20 m². A 300 × 300 mm paver with a 3 mm joint covers 0.303 × 0.303 = 0.0918 m², so 217.8 pavers. Round up and add 10% for cuts: 240. A 10 cm base is 2 m³ and 3 cm of sand is 0.6 m³.
This is a planning estimate from the figures you enter. Real projects vary, so check dimensions on site and allow for waste and local rules before you buy or build.
A worked example
These are the values the calculator opens with, so you can see exactly what it does with them. Change any value on the page and the result updates; the figures below come from the same calculation.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Units | Metric (m, cm, mm) |
| Area length | 5 |
| Area width | 4 |
| Paver length | 30 |
| Paver width | 30 |
| Joint width | 3 |
| Compacted base depth | 10 |
| Sand bedding depth | 3 |
| Allowance for cuts and breakage | 10 |
With those inputs, the calculator returns:
- Pavers to order: 240
- Area to cover: 20 m²
- Pavers before the allowance: 218
- Pavers per square metre: 10.9
- Base material (gravel or crushed rock): 2 m³
- Bedding sand: 0.6 m³
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | Length and width in metres or feet. |
| Paver and joint | Paver length and width in cm or inches, and the joint in mm or inches. |
| Base, sand, waste | Depths of base and sand, and the waste allowance. |
| Output | Pavers to order, pavers per m², area, base volume and sand volume. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| My patio is not a rectangle | The tool uses length × width. | Split the area into rectangles and add the results. |
| Base volume looks small | It is the compacted depth. | Order 15-20% more for compaction. |
| Pattern needs more cuts | Herringbone and curves waste more. | Raise the waste allowance to 15% or more. |
Assumptions and limitations
- Rectangular areas only.
- No edging, steps or drainage.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square metre?
It depends on the size. A 300 × 300 mm paver with a 3 mm joint needs about 11.
How much waste should I allow for pavers?
About 10% for a simple layout and 15% or more for patterns and curves.
How deep should the base be?
It depends on the load and the soil. Light foot traffic often uses a thinner base than a driveway, so follow the paver maker's guidance.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
The result shows it for the depth you choose; bedding layers are commonly a few centimetres.
Does it work in feet and inches?
Yes. Switch the units to imperial and enter feet and inches.
Is my information sent anywhere?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing leaves the page.