Estimate how many pavers, sand, and gravel you need for your project.
To determine how many pavers you need, start by calculating the total area of your project in square feet (length x width for rectangles, or pi x radius squared for circles). Then calculate how many pavers fit in one square foot by dividing 144 (square inches in a square foot) by the area of one paver in square inches. Multiply the total area by the pavers per square foot, then add 5-15% for cuts and waste. Curved layouts and diagonal patterns require more waste allowance because more pavers need to be cut at the edges.
A proper paver installation requires a compacted gravel base and a leveling sand layer. Gravel base: Most installations need 4-6 inches of compacted gravel (crushed stone or road base). One ton of gravel covers approximately 80 square feet at 4 inches deep. Leveling sand: A 1-inch layer of coarse bedding sand goes on top of the gravel base. One 50-lb bag covers about 6-8 square feet at 1 inch depth. Polymeric joint sand: This fills the gaps between pavers and hardens when wet. One 50-lb bag covers about 30-40 square feet of standard brick pavers. The Concrete Calculator helps estimate materials for concrete borders or footings adjacent to paver projects.
4" x 8" (standard brick): The most common paver size, needing about 4.5 pavers per square foot. Versatile for herringbone, basketweave, and running bond patterns. 6" x 6": Square pavers that need about 4 per square foot. Simple grid layout. 6" x 9": About 3.6 per square foot. Popular for walkways. 12" x 12": One paver per square foot. Easy to calculate but heavier to handle. 16" x 16" and 24" x 24": Large format pavers that cover ground quickly and create a modern look, but require a very level base.
Excavate 7-9 inches deep to allow for the gravel base (4-6 inches), sand layer (1 inch), and paver thickness (typically 2-2.5 inches). Compact each layer with a plate compactor before adding the next. Slope for drainage at a minimum of 1/4 inch per foot away from structures. Use edge restraints (plastic, aluminum, or concrete) to prevent pavers from shifting over time. Start from a straight edge and work outward, saving cuts for the perimeter. The Square Footage Calculator helps measure irregular project areas.
The pattern you choose affects both the look and the waste factor. Running bond (offset rows like a brick wall) is the simplest and produces the least waste at about 5%. Herringbone (pavers at 45 or 90 degree angles) is the strongest pattern for driveways and high-traffic areas but creates more cuts at the edges, requiring 10-15% waste allowance. Basketweave alternates pairs of pavers in perpendicular directions and works best with rectangular pavers. Circular patterns radiate outward from a center point and require the most cutting. For first-time DIY installers, running bond or stacked bond patterns are the most forgiving and easiest to lay evenly.