Paver Calculator - Count Patio Pavers, Patterns & Cost

Last updated June 13, 2026 by our expert review team

Pavers per square foot

How many pavers are in a square foot?

A 4x8 brick paver covers about 0.22 sq ft, so you need about 4.5 pavers per square foot before waste. Add pattern waste after that count, especially for herringbone or curved edges.

Paver size	Pavers / sq ft	For 100 sq ft	Typical pallet	Use note
4x8	4.5	450	480	Classic brick paver size for running bond, basketweave, and herringbone.
6x6	4	400	480	Small square unit for borders, modular fields, and accent bands.
6x9	2.67	267	360	Common patio paver size with fewer pieces than 4x8 brick.
12x12	1	100	120	One nominal square foot per paver before joint spacing.
16x16	0.56	57	80	Large format paver for fast coverage with fewer joints.

Counts use nominal face size before pattern waste. Joint gap can slightly reduce the pieces needed per square foot.

Expert Contributors

Creator

Ruth Wairimu

Landscape Architect

Ruth Wairimu

Landscape Architect

Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.

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Expert Review

Hawkin

Certified Cost & Estimating Professional

Hawkin

Certified Cost & Estimating Professional

AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.

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Updated June 13, 2026

How we verify our calculators

Editorial diagram comparing running bond, basketweave, and herringbone paver pattern waste with cut edge pieces. — Pattern choice changes the order count because edge cuts and spare pavers increase from running bond to herringbone.

Pattern waste guide

Choose the layout before you order

Running bond is efficient. Herringbone looks tighter and handles traffic well, but diagonal fields create more edge cuts. The calculator uses these waste factors unless you enter your own.

Running bond

5% waste · fewest cuts

Choose it if: You want the simplest rectangular layout with the fewest cuts. Best for walkways, borders, and patios with straight edges.

Start at a straight edge and stagger joints by half a paver.

Basketweave

8% waste · moderate cuts

Choose it if: You want a classic brick-patio look without the diagonal cuts of herringbone. Works best with rectangular pavers in pairs.

Check that your paver proportions work as a true weave.

Herringbone

15% waste · most cuts

Choose it if: You want stronger visual movement or a driveway-friendly interlock. Budget more cuts along edges and around curves.

45-degree fields usually need the most edge cutting.

Methodology

How the Calculator Works

This calculator counts the pavers themselves. It also shows planning quantities for base gravel and bedding sand so the paver, paver-base, and paver-sand pages work as one cluster.

For installation context, the ICPI Tech Spec 2 sequence includes compacted subgrade, aggregate base, bedding sand, edge restraint, paver placement, joint sand, and final compaction.

Measure the finished paver field

Use the paved rectangle or your measured square footage before cuts and waste.

Pick the paver and pattern

Size drives pieces per square foot. Pattern drives waste for cuts and spare pieces.

Round up to purchase units

The calculator rounds pieces and pallets up because suppliers sell whole pavers and pallets.

Formulas

Area = length x width, or your entered square footage

Pavers per sq ft = 144 / ((paver width + joint gap) x (paver length + joint gap))

Order pavers = ceil(area x pavers per sq ft x (1 + waste %))

Pallets = ceil(order pavers / pavers per pallet)

Base add-ons use 6 in compacted aggregate, 1 in bedding sand, 10% material allowance, 20% base compaction, 1.4 tons/yd³ base, and 1.35 tons/yd³ sand.

Order Planning

4x8 pavers: 4.5 / sq ft
Running bond waste: 5%
Basketweave waste: 8%
Herringbone waste: 15%
Typical bedding sand: 1 in
Typical pedestrian base: 6 to 8 in

Computed examples

Paver counts for common projects

Small Front Walk

4 x 25 ft, 4x8 pavers, running bond

452 pavers1 pallet3.42 tons base

Long narrow walks are friendly to running bond because most cuts happen at the ends and border.

Backyard Patio

12 x 16 ft, 6x9 pavers, basketweave

535 pavers2 pallets6.57 tons base

Basketweave adds more cuts than running bond, but it still stays manageable on a clean rectangle.

Herringbone Dining Patio

18 x 20 ft, 4x8 pavers, herringbone

1,779 pavers4 pallets12.32 tons base

The paver count climbs because diagonal edges create more cut pieces and spares.

Large Slab Courtyard

20 x 24 ft, 16x16 slabs, running bond

280 pavers4 pallets16.43 tons base

Large slabs reduce piece count, but pallet handling and base flatness matter more.

Avoid these

Mistakes That Cost You Money

Ordering only the exact field count

Add waste for cuts, breakage, color matching, and future repairs. Herringbone usually needs the most.

Using paver area but forgetting joint gap

A small joint gap changes coverage. Use the advanced joint field when supplier specs give a joint width.

Assuming every pallet holds the same count

Pallet counts vary by paver thickness and supplier. Replace the default if your quote lists a different pallet count.

Skipping the base and bedding order

The add-on card links to the matching base and sand calculators so the hardscape stack is planned together.

Treating material cost as installed cost

The cost panel is paver material only. Excavation, compaction, edge restraint, delivery, and labor can exceed the paver price.

Starting layout without a border plan

Borders hide small cuts and help lock the field. Decide on border pavers before buying mixed sizes.

FAQs

Paver calculator questions

How many 4x8 pavers are in a square foot?

About 4.5 4x8 pavers cover one square foot before waste or joint spacing. For a 100 sq ft running-bond patio, plan about 473 pavers with 5% waste.

How many pavers do I need for a 12x12 patio?

A 12x12 patio is 144 sq ft. With 6x9 pavers, 1/8 inch joints, and running-bond waste, this calculator estimates about 390 pavers, or 2 pallet at the 360-paver pallet assumption.

How much waste should I add for a herringbone paver pattern?

Use about 15% waste for herringbone. A 10x20 ft herringbone field with 4x8 pavers needs about 1035 pavers, compared with fewer pieces in a straight running-bond layout.

Running bond or herringbone: which pattern should I choose?

Running bond is easier, wastes less, and suits most patios and walkways. Herringbone has more visual movement and better interlock for traffic, but it usually needs more cut pieces along the edges.

Should I buy pavers by the piece or by the pallet?

Buy by the pallet when your count is close to a full pallet or the supplier charges less per paver that way. Keep the pavers-per-pallet number from the quote because pallet counts vary by paver thickness, size, and manufacturer.

How much does a paver patio cost?

Concrete paver material often budgets around $3 to $8 per sq ft before base, sand, edging, tools, delivery, and labor. Installed contractor prices are much higher because excavation, compaction, cuts, and site access drive the job.

Does this calculator include paver base and sand?

It estimates planning add-ons using the same default formulas as the paver-base and paver-sand calculators: 6 inches of compacted base, 1 inch of bedding sand, 10% material allowance, and 20% base compaction.

What is not included in the paver count?

The paver count does not include edge restraints, spikes, geotextile, sealer, saw blades, tool rental, delivery fees, or labor. It also does not replace a supplier takeoff for curved borders, inlays, steps, or mixed-size pattern kits.