How Many Pavers Do I Need? Pavers per Square Foot and by Patio Size
Part of the project planner: Planning a paver patio or garden path.
A 12 × 12 ft patio of 6 × 9 inch pavers takes 423 pavers with 10% extra, on a base of 3.0 tons of crushed stone and 0.6 tons of bedding sand. The count is the area divided by the area of one paver, plus waste. The paver calculator does it for your own patio, paver size and base depth.
Pavers per square foot
| Paver size | Pavers per sq ft | Pavers for 100 sq ft (no waste) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (brick paver) | 4.50 | 450 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4.00 | 400 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 267 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1.00 | 100 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 57 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 25 |
Materials for common patio sizes
6 × 9 inch pavers, a 4 inch base, 1 inch of sand and 10% waste:
| Patio | Area | Pavers | Base gravel | Sand | Edge restraint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 100 sq ft | 294 | 2.1 tons | 0.4 tons | 40 ft |
| 12 × 12 ft | 144 sq ft | 423 | 3.0 tons | 0.6 tons | 48 ft |
| 12 × 16 ft | 192 sq ft | 564 | 4.0 tons | 0.8 tons | 56 ft |
| 16 × 20 ft | 320 sq ft | 939 | 6.6 tons | 1.3 tons | 72 ft |
| 20 × 20 ft | 400 sq ft | 1174 | 8.3 tons | 1.7 tons | 80 ft |
Pavers needed for a 12 × 12 ft patio, by size
| Paver | Pavers |
|---|---|
| 6 × 6 in | 634 |
| 6 × 9 in | 423 |
| 12 × 12 in | 159 |
| 24 × 24 in | 40 |
How to build it
- Excavate to the depth of the base, the sand and the paver, with a slight slope of about 1/4 inch per foot away from the house.
- Lay and compact the base of crushed stone in layers of 2 to 3 inches, with a plate compactor.
- Spread and screed the bedding sand about 1 inch thick, and do not walk on it.
- Lay the pavers from a straight edge, and keep the joints tight and the lines straight.
- Cut the edge pavers with a masonry saw, and fix the edge restraint along the border.
- Sweep in sand (polymeric sand if you like) and compact the surface. See the polymeric sand calculator.
Waste by pattern
- Running bond or a simple grid: about 5 to 10%.
- Herringbone or basket weave: 10 to 15%.
- Curves and circles: 15% or more.
See the paver patio base guide and the materials list for a paver patio. Estimates only: confirm the quantities with your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
It is 144 divided by the area of one paver in square inches: 2.67 pavers per square foot for a 6 × 9 inch paver, 4.5 for a 4 × 8 inch brick paver and 1 for a 12 × 12 inch paver. Add 10% for cuts.
How many pavers for a 12 × 12 patio?
423 pavers of 6 × 9 inches for 144 sq ft, with 10% for waste. With 12 × 12 inch pavers you need 159.
How much base gravel do I need for pavers?
A 4 inch base for a 12 × 12 ft patio takes about 3.0 tons (2.1 cubic yards) of crushed stone, including about 20% for compaction.
How much sand under pavers?
A 1 inch bedding layer for a 12 × 12 ft patio takes about 0.6 tons (0.44 cubic yards).
How much extra should I order for cuts?
About 10% for a simple layout, and 15% or more for a herringbone or a pattern with curves. Keep a few spare pavers for later repairs.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.