How to measure a paver patio
Measure the finished patio surface in feet. For an irregular or curved patio, measure the smallest rectangle that encloses it, or break it into rectangles and add them up. That slightly overstates the area, which is fine because curved edges need extra cuts anyway. Use the square footage calculator for complex shapes.
Excavation depth is the base depth plus the bedding sand plus the paver thickness. For a typical patio with 6 in of base, 1 in of sand and a 2⅜ in paver, that is about 9⅜ in below finished grade before you start.
Worked example: a 12 × 12 ft patio in 4 × 8 brick pavers
With the default inputs (patio use, 6 in base, 1 in sand, 10% waste, edge restraint, national average prices):
| Item | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 12 × 12 | 144 sq ft |
| Pavers | 144 × 1.10 ÷ 0.222 sq ft per paver = 712.8 | 713 pavers |
| Gravel base | 144 × 6 in ÷ 12 = 72 cu ft ÷ 27 | 2.67 cu yd, 3.73 tons |
| Bedding sand | 144 × 1 in ÷ 12 = 12 cu ft | 0.44 cu yd, 0.60 tons |
| Polymeric sand | 144 ÷ 60 = 2.4 | 3 bags (50 lb) |
| Edge restraint | 2 × (12 + 12) | 48 lin ft |
| Hire a pro | 144 × $10–$17 | $1,440 – $2,448 |
| DIY materials | pavers, gravel, sand, joint sand, edging | $849 – $1,435 |
The DIY total breaks down to $634–$950 for pavers, $37–$187 for gravel, $43–$58 for bedding sand, $75–$120 for polymeric sand and $60–$120 for edging. Pavers are by far the largest share, so shopping the paver price matters more than shopping the gravel.
How paver size changes the count
For the same 144 sq ft plus 10% waste:
| Paver size | Pavers to buy |
|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 713 |
| 6 × 6 in | 634 |
| 6 × 9 in | 423 |
| 12 × 12 in | 159 |
| 16 × 16 in | 90 |
| 12 × 24 in | 80 |
Fewer, larger pavers lay faster, but they show any unevenness in the base and need a flatter, better-compacted bed. Small pavers are more forgiving on a slightly imperfect base and handle vehicle loads better.
The base does the real work
The gravel base spreads loads and drains water away from the surface. Compact it in layers of about 2–3 in with a plate compactor rather than all at once; a single thick lift will not compact all the way down. The calculator converts the base to tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard because most quarries sell by the ton. If yours prices by the yard, use the cubic-yard figure instead.
Bedding sand is a thin leveling course of about 1 in. Making it thicker to fix low spots in the base is a common mistake; the pavers will settle unevenly. Fix the base instead.
DIY vs hiring a pro
On the example patio, the DIY materials cost roughly three-fifths of the installed price. The rest of the installed price covers excavation and haul-off of several tons of soil, equipment, and the skilled work of grading, compacting and cutting. Expect to rent a plate compactor and a wet saw or splitter, and to handle about 4.3 tons of gravel and sand by wheelbarrow on a project this size.
What’s not included
Excavation and soil disposal, geotextile fabric (about $0.30–$0.50 per sq ft in the source data), delivery fees, steps, seat walls, drainage work and sealing. For a poured alternative, compare against the concrete calculator; for a loose-stone surface, try the gravel calculator.
How this calculator works
- Pavers = ceil(area × (1 + waste) ÷ paver face area).
- Base volume = area × base depth ÷ 12, converted to cubic yards (÷ 27) and tons (× density). Sand volume uses the bedding depth the same way.
- Polymeric sand bags = ceil(area ÷ 60). Edge restraint = full perimeter, 2 × (length + width).
- Installed cost = area × installed price per sq ft × local factor. DIY cost = pavers (area with waste × material price) + gravel tons × price per ton + sand, joint sand and edging.
Assumptions and limitations
- Paver counts use nominal face sizes and ignore joint width; most concrete pavers have spacer nubs.
- Base depth defaults to 6 in for patios and walkways and 10 in for driveways (compacted). Gravel weight uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone.
- Bedding sand weighs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard (approximate dry concrete sand density, not from the dataset).
- Polymeric sand is an editorial estimate of one 50 lb bag per 60 sq ft; wide joints or tumbled pavers use more.
- DIY bedding sand ($0.30–$0.40/sq ft per inch), polymeric sand ($25–$40/bag) and edging ($1.25–$2.50/lin ft) prices are editorial estimates.
- Installed price is the national 2026 range for a concrete paver patio and includes base, sand and edging. The local cost level multiplies every line.
These results are planning estimates, not quotes. Local prices, site conditions and building codes vary, so get written estimates from licensed contractors before you commit to a budget.
Try your own numbers. Every price and assumption above is editable in the estimator.
Back to the paver patio estimatorFrequently asked questions
How deep should the gravel base be under pavers?
Can I lay pavers directly on sand?
How much extra should I order for herringbone?
Sources and data
- HomeGuide (2026) — paver patio installation cost
- Angi — paver base calculator
- Unilock — paver base
- HomeGuide (2026) — gravel prices
- HomeGuide (2026) — pea gravel cost
Prices are US national ranges reviewed October 2026 (data version 2026.10). A few values are editorial estimates where no single published source exists; the Cost Index marks each one. Read our methodology and editorial policy.