Paver Calculator with Paver Base and Sand

How to use the paver calculator

1. Enter the area. Use length × width for a rectangle, or type the total square footage. For L-shapes and curves, add up rectangles and circles.
2. Choose a paver size. Pick a common size or enter a custom one. Leave the joint width at 0 if your pavers have spacer bars or the manufacturer lists pavers per square foot. ICPI says joints should be 1/16–3/16 in, and most pavers have spacer bars that hold that gap.
3. Add extra for cuts. 5% is our default for a simple rectangle in a running bond. Go higher for diagonal or herringbone patterns, curves and lots of edges.
4. Set the base and bedding. The paver base is compacted crushed stone. ICPI recommends at least 4 in after compaction for patios and walks and 6 in for residential driveways. Add 2–4 in in colder climates or on wet or weak soils. The bedding layer is 1 in of concrete sand.
5. Pick the joint type for polymeric sand: narrow (⅛–⅜ in) or wide (¾–1¼ in).

Paver base calculator: the formulas

The paver base is the part people under-order. You need enough to reach the compacted depth, and crushed stone shrinks as you compact it. WSDOT’s estimating table puts crushed base course at 2,950 lb per cubic yard as delivered in the truck and 3,700 lb per cubic yard once compacted on the roadway, or 1.48 and 1.85 tons. So 1 cubic yard of compacted base takes about 1.25 loose yards. The calculator works out the tons for the compacted volume, then converts that to the loose yards you order.

Bedding sand is screeded, not compacted, before the pavers go down, so the calculator orders its volume as-is. Its weight uses 2,750 lb per cubic yard for dry sand.

Worked examples

12 × 12 ft patio, 4 × 8 in pavers

A 4 × 8 paver covers 32 sq in, so 144 ÷ 32 = 4.5 pavers per sq ft. Over 144 sq ft that is 648 pavers, or 681 with 5% extra.

A 4 in compacted base is 48 cu ft = 1.78 cubic yards compacted. That is about 3.3 tons of crushed base, or 2.23 loose cubic yards to order. The 1 in bedding layer is 12 cu ft (0.44 cubic yards, about 0.6 tons), or 24 bags of 0.5 cu ft. Polymeric sand for narrow joints at 65 sq ft per bag: 144 ÷ 65 = 2.2, so 3 bags.

20 × 24 ft driveway, 6 × 9 in pavers, 6 in base

144 ÷ 54 = 2.67 pavers per sq ft. Over 480 sq ft that is 1,280 pavers, or 1,344 with 5% extra. A 6 in base is 240 cu ft = 8.89 compacted cubic yards. That is about 16.4 tons of crushed base, or 11.1 loose yards, which is a full truckload or more. Bedding sand is 40 cu ft (1.48 cubic yards, about 2 tons), and polymeric sand is 480 ÷ 65 = 7.4, so 8 bags.

Driveways carry vehicle loads. Check the paver maker’s guidance for driveway thickness and pattern, and any local requirements, before you buy.

3 × 30 ft walkway, 12 × 12 in pavers

90 sq ft at 1 paver per sq ft is 90 pavers, or 95 with 5% extra. A 4 in base is 1.11 compacted cubic yards, about 2.1 tons. Bedding sand is 7.5 cu ft, or 15 bags of 0.5 cu ft.

Base gravel, bedding sand and joint sand

• Base: dense-graded crushed stone (often sold as road base or paver base) spread and compacted in lifts. ICPI Tech Spec 2 calls for compacting the base in layers, and the calculator shows how many lifts at up to 6 in each.
• Bedding sand: about 1 in of coarse, washed concrete sand (ASTM C33), screeded smooth and left uncompacted until the pavers are vibrated into it. ICPI says not to use masonry sand or stone dust for bedding.
• Joint sand: polymeric sand is swept into the joints and activated with water. The Gator Maxx Bond G2 data sheet lists 65–85 sq ft per 50 lb bag for narrow joints and 22–42 sq ft for wide joints with 2-3/8 in pavers. The calculator uses the low end of each range so you don’t run short. Thicker pavers, textured surfaces and other brands use more, so check your bag.
• Edges: pavers need an edge restraint so they don’t creep apart. The calculator doesn’t count edging; measure the perimeter for that.

Ordering base by the ton from a quarry? The gravel calculator handles other stone types and truckloads. Pouring a concrete border or a slab next to the patio? Use the concrete calculator. Edging a garden bed next to it? The topsoil calculator covers the soil. Need sand on its own, for a sandbox or fill? Use the sand calculator.

Pavers per square foot

Sources & assumptions

How this calculator gets its numbers. Full method: our methodology.

• Pavers = area × pavers per sq ft, plus the extra for cuts (5% default, our allowance). Pavers per sq ft = 144 ÷ [(length + joint) × (width + joint)]. Joint width defaults to 0 because most pavers have spacer bars; if your paver's maker lists pavers per sq ft, use that.
• Base depth is a compacted depth: at least 4 in for patios and walks and 6 in for residential driveways on well-drained soil, 2–4 in more in colder climates or on wet or weak soils (ICPI). Bedding sand is 1 in of concrete sand.
• Base weight uses 3,700 lb per compacted cubic yard (1.85 tons). The loose amount to order uses 2,950 lb per truck-measure yard (about 1.48 tons), both for crushed surfacing base course. Your quarry's figures are better.
• Bedding sand weight uses 2,750 lb per cubic yard of dry sand. Bags are 0.5 cu ft.
• Polymeric sand uses the low end of one manufacturer's coverage per 50 lb bag for 2-3/8 in pavers: 65 sq ft for narrow joints and 22 sq ft for wide joints. Other brands and thicker pavers differ, so check the bag.
• The base area is the paved area. Edge restraints are not counted.

Sources

1. Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (copy hosted by ORCO Block & Hardscape), ICPI Tech Spec 2: Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavements. Min. 4 in compacted base for patios and walks, 6 in for residential driveways, 2–4 in thicker for cold, wet or weak soils; 1 in of concrete sand (ASTM C33) bedding; joints 1/16–3/16 in; base compacted in lifts.
2. Washington State Department of Transportation, Design Manual M 22-01, Chapter 620, Exhibit 620-1 (Unit Dry Weight – Gravel Base and Surfacing). Crushed surfacing base course: 2,950 lb/cy (1.48 T/cy) truck measure, 3,700 lb/cy (1.85 T/cy) compacted.
3. Alliance Designer Products, Gator Maxx Bond G2 technical data sheet. Coverage per 50 lb bag: 65–85 sq ft for narrow joints, 22–42 sq ft for wide joints (some colors cover less).
4. Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (Vermont), Material Weight: Pounds per Cubic Yard. Dry sand 2,750 lb/yd³.

Last reviewed October 25, 2026. Product figures vary by brand; the label on what you buy wins.