Paver Calculator
Pavers (any size), gravel base and sand for a patio or walkway.
Doing this for work? Estimate the whole job in minutes.
JRIQ turns plans and site photos into full material + labor estimates with AI — built by the team behind these calculators.
Try it free →
A paver patio or walkway is the most forgiving hardscape project — no concrete to rush, and mistakes can be lifted and reset. The whole job lives or dies on the base: a deep, compacted gravel base is what keeps pavers flat for decades.
DifficultyIntermediate
TimeA weekend or two for a patio, most of it base prep
SkillsLots of digging and screeding; patience for getting the base dead flat
PermitsUsually permit-free, but check setbacks and drainage rules for large patios near the house or property line.
Tools you'll need
- Plate compactor (rent it)
- Shovel and wheelbarrow
- Screed pipes and a screed board
- Rubber mallet
- 4-ft level
- Masonry saw or splitter for cuts
- Broom
Step by step
- Excavate Dig out about 7–9" total — enough for ~4–6" of gravel base, 1" of sand, plus the paver thickness. Slope it ~1/4" per foot away from the house.
- Build and compact the base Add gravel in 2" lifts and compact each lift until firm. This is the step everyone shortcuts and regrets.
- Screed a sand bed Set screed pipes, spread 1" of bedding sand, and screed it perfectly flat. Don't walk on it after.
- Lay the pavers Start from a straight edge and work outward in your pattern, leaving tight joints. Tap each level with a rubber mallet.
- Edge, sand, and compact Install edge restraints, sweep polymeric joint sand into the gaps, compact the pavers, then mist the sand to set it.
Common mistakes
Skimping on the gravel base
A thin or un-compacted base causes sinking and heaving. Compact 4–6" in lifts — it's 80% of the job.
No slope for drainage
Pitch the whole patio ~1/4" per foot away from the house so water runs off.
No edge restraint
Without edging, perimeter pavers spread and the field loosens. Always restrain the edges.
Plain sand in the joints
Use polymeric joint sand — it locks pavers together and resists weeds and washout.
Safety
- Plate compactors are heavy and vibrate — wear boots and ear protection.
- Lift pavers and gravel with your legs; pace the digging.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should a paver base be?
4–6" of compacted gravel for a patio (more for a driveway), plus 1" of bedding sand under the pavers.
How many pavers do I need?
Pick your paver — Holland 4×8, square 12×12 / 16×16 / 24×24, or a Custom size where you enter the paver's length, width, and thickness — then enter the patio dimensions. The size changes the count a lot, and the calculator also returns base gravel and bedding/joint sand.
What sizes do pavers come in?
Common patio pavers include the 4×8" Holland (brick-style) and square patio stones in 12×12, 16×16, and 24×24, usually about 2" thick. Bigger pavers mean fewer pieces but more weight each; the calculator includes these plus a custom option.
Sand or polymeric sand for joints?
Polymeric. It hardens when wetted, locking pavers together and keeping weeds and ants out.
Next steps for this project
Gravel
How much gravel you need for a driveway, path, or base — in tons and cubic yards.
Concrete Slab
How much concrete you need for a slab, driveway, or patio — in cubic yards and bags.
Retaining Wall
Blocks (real sizes or custom), poured concrete, timber, or stone — with caps and base.
Excavation
Cubic yards of dirt to dig and haul, plus truckloads.