Paver Patio Calculator
The full material list for a paver patio or walkway — pavers, bedding sand, joint sand, and edge restraint with spikes.
Your project
Total area: 0 sq ft
Covers the paver layer, bedding and joint sand, and edge restraint. The compacted gravel base underneath is separate — size it with the Gravel calculator. Estimates only; confirm against your measurements and order extra for cuts.
What you need
What to buy
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Pavers
—
Bedding sand
— bags
Joint sand
— bags
Edge restraint
— pieces
Spikes
—
Shopping list
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How we calculate it
pavers = round up( area × (1 + waste) × pavers-per-sq-ft ) • bedding sand = area × 1 in ÷ 0.5 cu ft bags • joint sand = round up( area ÷ coverage ) • edging = round up( edge ÷ piece length ), spikes = edge × 1/ft
Assumptions & sources
- Pavers per sq ft = 144 / (length × width in inches): 4×8 = 4.5, 6×6 = 4.0, 8×8 = 2.25, 12×12 = 1.0 — source: Inch Calculator / geometry
- Bedding (leveling) sand is a nominal 1 in setting bed; a 0.5 cu ft (~50 lb) bag covers about 6 sq ft at 1 in — source: ICPI Tech Spec 2; Sakrete Leveling Sand TDS
- Polymeric joint sand coverage VARIES 30–120 sq ft per bag with paver size and joint width — check your bag; 50 is a mid-range default — source: Techniseal / Sakrete TDS
- Edge restraint comes in ~8 ft pieces and is spiked about every 12 in (1 per foot); only edge the EXPOSED sides — skip any side against a house or wall — source: Snap Edge / Pave Tech spike-placement spec
- Add extra for cuts: ~5% for running-bond, 10–15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns — source: ICPI / industry practice
Formulas reviewed against manufacturer spec sheets and industry standards. Last verified 2026.
How to estimate a paver patio
Pavers are figured by area: divide your patio square footage by each paver’s coverage, then add a waste allowance for cuts around the edges. A proper install also needs a 1-inch bedding-sand layer under the pavers, polymeric sand swept into the joints, and edge restraint spiked around the exposed sides to keep everything from spreading.
The full material list
- Pavers + a base you size separately: This tool covers pavers, sand, and edging. The compacted gravel base under the sand is sized with the Gravel calculator (a 4–6 in base is typical).
- Two kinds of sand: Bedding sand is the 1-inch leveling layer under the pavers; polymeric (joint) sand is swept into the gaps and hardens. They’re different products.
- Edge the exposed sides only: Enter just the perimeter that needs restraint — skip any edge against a house, wall, or existing slab.
Common questions
How many pavers do I need for a 12×16 patio?
About 908 with 4×8 pavers and a 5% cut allowance (192 sq ft × 4.5 pavers/sq ft × 1.05). Bigger pavers mean fewer pieces — a 12×12 paver is 1 per square foot.
How much sand for a paver patio?
Two kinds: a 1-inch bedding layer (about one 0.5 cu ft bag per 6 sq ft) and polymeric joint sand swept into the gaps (coverage varies by joint width — often 30–90 sq ft per bag).
Do I need edging?
Yes — edge restraint keeps pavers from spreading. It comes in ~8 ft pieces spiked about every foot, installed around the exposed perimeter (not sides against a wall).
How much extra should I buy for cuts?
About 5% for a straight running-bond layout, and 10–15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns that create more cut pieces.