DIY Calculators OnlineHow it's calculated
The paver count is the patio area divided by one paver's face, plus the waste allowance for cuts. Pavers have built-in spacer nubs, so the joints don't change the count.
pavers = area × 144 ÷ (length × width) × (1 + waste)
The gravel base includes 15% extra because crushed stone settles when you compact it. Tons use 1.4 tons per cubic yard, typical for crushed stone. Your supplier can give the exact figure for their material. Bedding sand comes in bags of about 0.5 cubic feet (50 lb).
Base depth guide
| Use | Gravel base | Bedding sand |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway or patio, well-drained soil | 4" | 1" |
| Patio on clay or in frost areas | 6" | 1" |
| Driveway | 8–12" | 1" |
Dig deep enough for base, sand and paver thickness together. With a 4" base, 1" of sand and 2 3/8" pavers, excavate about 7 1/2" below the finished height. Slope the patio away from the house by about 1/4" per foot so water runs off.
Questions
How many 4×8 pavers per square foot?
4.5. A 4×8 paver covers 32 square inches, and a square foot is 144.
Do I need edging?
Yes. Without an edge restraint the outer pavers creep outward and the joints open up.
What about joint sand?
Sweep polymeric sand into the joints after laying. Coverage depends on joint width and paver size, so use the chart on the bag.