How the paver calculator works
Pavers by area, base by depth, edging by perimeter. The calculator divides the patio area by the area of one paver and adds waste — a 12 ft x 12 ft patio with 12×12 inch pavers and 5% waste needs 152 pavers. The gravel base is area x depth (4 inches is standard for a patio), at 1.4 tons per cubic yard: 1.78 cubic yards, or 2.49 tons. Bedding sand is a 1 inch layer at 1.3 tons per yard (0.44 cubic yards, 0.58 tons), and edging is the patio perimeter — 48 linear feet for a 12 ft x 12 ft patio.
Compact the gravel base in layers and screed the sand to 1 inch before laying pavers. Use 6 inches of base or more for a driveway, and edge all round — edging stops the pavers spreading under foot traffic.
Need the gravel for the base? Try the gravel calculator.