Construction
Paver Calculator
Enter your patio size, pick a paver size and add a waste margin to find how many pavers you need.
How to use the paver calculator
Measure your patio's length and width in feet, choose a paver size from the list (or pick Custom and enter the paver's length and width in inches), then set a waste allowance for cuts and breakage. A 10% waste margin is a sensible default; bump it to 15% for diagonal or herringbone layouts that create more cut pieces. The paver calculator updates the total instantly.
How the math works
The idea is to divide the patio area by the area of a single paver, then add a margin for waste. Paver dimensions are in inches, so they are converted to square feet by dividing by 144:
- Patio area (sq ft) = patio length × patio width
- Paver area (sq ft) = (paver length × paver width) ÷ 144
- Pavers = ceil( (patio area ÷ paver area) × (1 + waste ÷ 100) )
Worked example. For a 12 ft × 12 ft patio with 12×12 in pavers and 10% waste: patio area = 144 ft², paver area = (12×12)÷144 = 1 ft². So 144 ÷ 1 = 144 pavers, times 1.10 = 158.4, rounded up to 159 pavers.
Common paver sizes reference
| Paver size | Area (sq ft) | Pavers / 100 sq ft * |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 0.22 | 495 |
| 6 × 6 in | 0.25 | 440 |
| 6 × 9 in | 0.38 | 294 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1.00 | 110 |
| 16 × 16 in | 1.78 | 62 |
| 24 × 24 in | 4.00 | 28 |
* Counts include a 10% waste allowance and are rounded up. Always order full pavers in whole units and keep a few spares for future repairs, since dye lots can vary between batches.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need for a patio?
Divide the patio area by the area of one paver, then add a waste margin. A 12 × 12 ft patio with 12×12 in pavers and 10% waste needs about 159 pavers. Enter your own sizes above for an exact count.
How much waste should I add for pavers?
10% is standard for straight layouts. Add 15% or more for diagonal, circular or herringbone patterns, which produce more cut pieces. The waste percentage is adjustable in the tool.
How do I work out pavers per square foot?
Take 144 and divide it by the paver's length × width in inches to get pavers per square foot, then multiply by your area. The calculator also shows pavers per 100 sq ft for quick estimates.
Should I buy extra pavers?
Yes. Beyond the waste allowance, keep a small number of spares for future repairs. Pavers from a different production batch can vary slightly in colour, so matching later is harder.
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