How to calculate pavers
Divide the area you're paving by the area of a single paver, then add waste and round up. Convert the paver size to square feet by multiplying its dimensions in inches and dividing by 144:
Pavers = (Patio area ÷ Paver area) × (1 + waste %)
A 20 ft × 10 ft patio is 200 square feet. With 12 × 6-inch pavers (0.5 sq ft each), that's 400 pavers, plus 10% waste — about 440 pavers.
Don't forget the base
Pavers sit on a compacted gravel base (usually 4–6 inches) topped with about 1 inch of bedding sand. Estimate those separately with a gravel and sand calculator using your patio area and the right depths.
Pattern and waste
Simple grid or running-bond layouts waste about 5–10%. Herringbone, circular, and diagonal patterns produce more cuts — plan for 10–15%, and buy it all at once so the pavers match.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need?
Divide the patio area by the area of one paver, then add a waste allowance and round up. A 20 ft × 10 ft patio is 200 square feet; with 12 × 6-inch pavers (0.5 sq ft each) you need 400 pavers, plus about 10% for cuts — roughly 440.
How much waste should I add for pavers?
Add about 5% for a simple straight pattern, and 10% for running-bond or basic layouts. Herringbone, circular, or diagonal patterns waste more, so use 10–15%. Curves and lots of edge cuts push it higher.
How much sand and base do I need under pavers?
A typical build is 4–6 inches of compacted gravel base topped with 1 inch of bedding sand. Use a gravel calculator and a sand calculator with your patio area and those depths to estimate the base materials.
How do I measure for an irregular patio?
Break the shape into rectangles, find each area (length × width), and add them together for the total square footage. Enter that total — or measure the largest rectangle and add extra waste to cover the offcuts.
Disclaimer: Results are estimates for planning. Confirm the exact paver size and buy a few extra for cuts and future repairs.