Pavers per square foot = 144 ÷ (paver width × length in inches). Standard 4 × 8 in brick pavers work out to 4.5 per sq ft, so a 12 × 12 ft patio (144 sq ft) needs 713 pavers with 10% extra for cuts. The same patio also takes about 4.5 tons of base gravel and 24 bags of bedding sand. Run your own size in the QtyLab paver calculator (prefilled for 12 × 12).
The paver formula, worked for a 12 × 12 patio
- Area = 12 ft × 12 ft = 144 sq ft
- Pavers per sq ft = 144 ÷ (4 × 8) = 4.5
- Pavers = 144 × 4.5 = 648
- Add 10% for cuts = 648 × 1.10 = 712.8 → 713 pavers
- Base gravel = 144 sq ft × 6 in ÷ 12 × 1.2 (compaction) = 86.4 cu ft = 3.2 yd³ → about 4.5 tons at 1.4 tons per yard
- Bedding sand = 144 × 1 in ÷ 12 = 12 cu ft → 24 bags of 50 lb sand (about 0.5 cu ft each)
Use the paver’s nominal size from the label — the joints are already built into it. If the pallet or label lists square feet per pallet or layer, that number beats the formula.
Pavers per square foot by size
Each row opens the calculator for 100 sq ft with that paver.
| Paver size | Pavers per sq ft | Per 100 sq ft (+10%) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in (brick) | 4.5 | 495 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | 440 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 | 294 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | 110 |
| 12 × 24 in | 0.5 | 55 |
| 16 × 16 in | 0.56 | 62 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 28 |
Common patio sizes (4 × 8 pavers, 6 in base, 1 in sand)
| Patio | Pavers (+10%) | Base gravel | 50 lb sand bags | Poly sand bags | 8 ft edging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 495 | 3.11 t | 17 | 2 | 5 |
| 10 × 12 | 594 | 3.73 t | 20 | 2 | 6 |
| 12 × 12 | 713 | 4.48 t | 24 | 3 | 6 |
| 12 × 16 | 951 | 5.97 t | 32 | 4 | 7 |
| 16 × 20 | 1,584 | 9.96 t | 54 | 6 | 9 |
| 20 × 20 | 1,980 | 12.44 t | 67 | 7 | 10 |
Polymeric sand assumes about 60 sq ft per 50 lb bag; coverage varies a lot with joint width, so check your bag. Edging counts the full perimeter — skip any side that runs against the house.
How much extra to buy
- 10% for straight, stack-bond or running-bond layouts.
- 15% for herringbone, diagonal layouts or curved edges — a 12 × 12 patio goes from 713 to 746 pavers.
- Keep a few spares from the same batch; color shifts between production runs, so repairs years later are easier with matching pavers.
Base gravel by depth (per 100 sq ft)
Base is crushed stone paver base, figured at 1.4 tons per cubic yard with 20% added so it still reaches full depth after compacting. Worked example: how much paver base for a 10×10 patio.
| Compacted base depth | Base gravel per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 4 in | 2.07 tons (1.48 yd³) |
| 6 in | 3.11 tons (2.22 yd³) |
| 8 in | 4.15 tons (2.96 yd³) |
| 12 in | 6.22 tons (4.44 yd³) |
The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute’s homeowner spec calls for at least 4–6 in of compacted base under walks and 6–8 in under driveways, compacted in lifts of about 4–6 in, with a 1 to 1½ in screeded sand bed on top. Some paver makers (Nicolock, for one) recommend 8–12 in of base under driveways, so go deeper where cars park. Go deeper on clay or wet ground, and follow your local code or HOA if they set a depth.
Mistakes that throw the count off
- Measuring the paver yourself. A “4 × 8” paver may measure a hair less; the nominal size already allows for joints. Use the label size.
- Skipping the extra. Every border and cut row eats pavers. Without 10%, the last row comes up short.
- Forgetting compaction. Loose gravel shrinks when you compact it — order about 20% more than the finished volume.
- Too much bedding sand. Keep the bed to about 1 in (ICPI allows up to 1½ in loose); a thicker bed lets pavers rock and settle.
- Rectangle math on a curved patio. Split it into rectangles, or use the calculator’s total-area mode and add 15%.
Shopping list for a 12 × 12 patio (4 × 8 pavers)
- 713 pavers (648 + 10%) — buy locally; price is usually per sq ft or per pallet
- About 4.5 tons of crushed stone paver base — a stone yard in bulk is cheapest at this size
- 24 × 50 lb bags of paver / concrete sand for the 1 in bed — buy locally
- 3 × 50 lb bags of polymeric sand for the joints — shop polymeric sand
- 6 × 8 ft paver edge restraints + about 48 spikes — shop edge restraints · shop edging spikes
- 1 rubber mallet to set pavers — shop rubber mallets
- Plate compactor — rent one for a day
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Base gravel for a different job? Use the gravel calculator and the gravel guide (tons per yard). Pouring a slab instead? See how many bags of concrete do I need.
FAQ
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
Divide 144 by the paver’s width times length in inches. 4 × 8 in pavers: 4.5 per sq ft. 6 × 6 in: 4. 6 × 9 in: about 2.67. 12 × 12 in: 1. 16 × 16 in: about 0.56. 24 × 24 in: 0.25. Then add 10% for cuts.
How many pavers for a 12 × 12 patio?
A 12 × 12 ft patio is 144 sq ft. With 4 × 8 in pavers that is 648 pavers, or 713 with 10% extra (746 with 15% for herringbone). It also takes about 4.5 tons of base gravel at 6 in deep and 24 bags of bedding sand.
How many pavers for a 10 × 10 patio?
A 10 × 10 ft patio is 100 sq ft: 450 standard 4 × 8 in pavers, or 495 with 10% extra. With 12 × 12 in pavers it is 110.
How much gravel do I need under pavers?
At 6 in of compacted base, about 3.1 tons per 100 sq ft, counting 20% extra for compaction at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. At 4 in it is about 2.1 tons per 100 sq ft.
How much sand goes under pavers?
A 1 in bed of coarse concrete sand: about 8.3 cu ft per 100 sq ft, which is 17 bags of 50 lb sand. Polymeric sand for the joints is separate — check the coverage on the bag.
Sources: base depth, compaction lifts and bedding sand thickness from ICPI Tech Spec 10, Application Guide for Interlocking Concrete Pavements (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute). All counts are from the QtyLab paver calculator. Estimates for planning only, not structural advice.