Calculate patio or walkway area
For a rectangular project, multiply length by width to determine the total surface area.
Calculate paver coverage
If paver dimensions are given in inches, multiply their length and width and divide by 144 to convert square inches to square feet.
Estimate the number of pavers
Example patio
A patio measuring 20 feet by 12 feet covers 240 square feet. The number of individual pavers depends on the dimensions and coverage of the selected product.
Account for cuts and layout
- Straight running patterns generally produce fewer cuts.
- Diagonal layouts may increase waste.
- Borders can require additional paver sizes or cuts.
- Curved edges typically create more offcuts than straight edges.
Don't forget the base
The paver count covers the surface units only. A complete project may also require excavation, compacted base material, bedding material, edge restraint and jointing material.
Manufacturers may sell pavers by piece, layer, pallet or stated coverage area. Confirm package quantities and product dimensions before ordering.
Worked paver example
Suppose a patio is 16 feet by 12 feet. Its area is 192 square feet. If one paver covers 0.5 square foot, the theoretical requirement is 384 pavers. Adding a 7 percent allowance gives about 411 pavers, which would normally be rounded up according to the supplier's pack or pallet quantity.
Calculate paver coverage using actual dimensions
If coverage per paver is not supplied, calculate it from the paver's face dimensions. Convert both dimensions to the same unit and multiply them to find the area. For a rectangular paver measured in inches, calculate square inches first and divide by 144 to convert the result to square feet.
Patterns can change material requirements
Running bond, basketweave, herringbone and diagonal layouts create different cutting patterns around edges. A project with curves or many borders may also produce more offcuts than a simple rectangular patio. Use the waste percentage as a planning allowance and adjust it to the complexity of the layout.
Pavers are only one part of the project
The surface-paver count does not include the quantity of base aggregate, bedding material, jointing material or edge restraints. Those materials depend on the construction method, project dimensions and required depths, so they should be estimated separately.