Typical joint: ~3/16" (5 mm). Increase for irregular or natural stone pavers.
Used to estimate material and installed cost ranges from your calculated area.
Patio/path: 4–6 in. Driveway: 6–8+ in.
Typically 1 in (25 mm) of screeded bedding sand.
Paver Calculator — Count, Cost, Base & Pallet Guide
This calculator estimates paver count including joint gap and waste, base gravel volume, bedding sand volume, and an estimated material and installed cost based on your paver type. Use it to plan your patio, path, or driveway before ordering materials or getting contractor quotes.
Pavers Per Square Foot & Square Metre
| Paver size | Per ft² | Per m² | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4" × 8" | 4.7–5.0 | 50–52 | Driveways, paths, classic brick patios |
| 6" × 9" | 2.2–2.4 | 24–26 | Patios, pool surrounds |
| 12" × 12" | 0.9–1.0 | 10–11 | Large patios, modern driveways |
| 16" × 16" | 0.5–0.6 | 5.5–6.5 | Large format stepping stones, patios |
| 24" × 24" | 0.25–0.27 | 2.7–2.9 | Contemporary large format |
Based on a standard 3/16" (5 mm) joint gap. Larger joints or irregular stones increase counts slightly.
How Many Pavers for a Common Patio Size?
Quick reference for popular patio dimensions, including 10% waste. Use the calculator above for other sizes or an exact joint gap.
| Patio size | 4"×8" pavers | 6"×9" pavers | 12"×12" pavers | 16"×16" pavers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft (100 ft²) | 534 | 253 | 105 | 61 |
| 12×12 ft (144 ft²) | 769 | 365 | 151 | 88 |
| 16×16 ft (256 ft²) | 1,366 | 648 | 268 | 155 |
| 20×20 ft (400 ft²) | 2,134 | 1,012 | 418 | 242 |
Includes 10% waste for straight cuts. Herringbone or diagonal patterns need 15%+ — use the calculator above and adjust the waste setting.
Recommended Base Depths
| Application | Base depth | Bedding sand | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 4 in (100 mm) | 1 in (25 mm) | Foot traffic only, firm soil |
| Patio | 4–6 in (100–150 mm) | 1 in (25 mm) | Standard residential patio |
| Pool surround | 4–6 in (100–150 mm) | 1 in (25 mm) | Add drainage slope away from pool |
| Residential driveway | 6–8 in (150–200 mm) | 1 in (25 mm) | Passenger vehicle traffic |
| Heavy vehicle driveway | 8–12 in (200–300 mm) | 1 in (25 mm) | RVs, delivery trucks, commercial |
Paver Cost Estimate (2026 US Averages)
| Paver type | Material cost / sq ft | Installed cost / sq ft | 200 sq ft patio est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete paver | $2–$5 | $10–$17 | $2,000–$3,400 |
| Brick paver | $3–$7 | $12–$20 | $2,400–$4,000 |
| Travertine / natural stone | $5–$15 | $15–$30 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Porcelain paver | $4–$10 | $14–$25 | $2,800–$5,000 |
| Permeable paver | $4–$8 | $15–$25 | $3,000–$5,000 |
Installed cost includes base preparation, bedding sand, labor, and jointing sand. Prices vary by region — get local quotes to confirm. Select your paver material above to include a cost estimate with your calculation.
Labour typically accounts for 50–65% of installed paver cost. Unlike poured concrete, pavers require cuts at every edge and corner — a standard running bond pattern needs 5–10% extra material, while herringbone or diagonal patterns can push waste to 15% or more, since every edge cut produces a piece too small to reuse elsewhere. It's also worth keeping 10–20 spare pavers after the job, since matching an exact colour from the same production batch is often impossible once it's discontinued.
Paver Installation Cost by Region (2026 US Averages)
Regional wage rates, contractor density, and climate drive significant cost variation. Texas and Florida are consistently the most affordable markets due to high contractor competition and long installation seasons. The Northeast is typically the most expensive, driven by shorter seasons and higher material delivery costs.
| Region | States | Installed (per sq ft) | Material only (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | FL, GA, NC, SC, TN | $10–$16 | $3–$7 |
| South Central | TX, OK, AR, LA | $9–$15 | $3–$6 |
| Midwest | OH, MI, IL, IN, WI | $12–$18 | $3–$7 |
| Mid-Atlantic | PA, VA, MD, NJ | $13–$20 | $4–$8 |
| Mountain West | CO, AZ, NV, UT | $11–$17 | $3–$7 |
| Northeast | NY, MA, CT, RI | $15–$25 | $4–$10 |
| West Coast | CA, WA, OR | $14–$22 | $4–$9 |
South Central highlighted as the lowest-cost region nationally. Always get local quotes to confirm current pricing in your area.
Installed Cost by City (200 sq ft patio, concrete pavers)
Columbus, OH is shown as the national mid-market reference point. Prices are for concrete pavers in a standard running bond pattern.
| City | Installed (per sq ft) | 200 sq ft patio est. |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $9–$14 | $1,800–$2,800 |
| Dallas, TX | $10–$15 | $2,000–$3,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $11–$16 | $2,200–$3,200 |
| Charlotte, NC | $10–$15 | $2,000–$3,000 |
| Columbus, OH | $12–$17 | $2,400–$3,400 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $11–$16 | $2,200–$3,200 |
| Chicago, IL | $13–$19 | $2,600–$3,800 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $13–$20 | $2,600–$4,000 |
| New York, NY | $16–$26 | $3,200–$5,200 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $14–$22 | $2,800–$4,400 |
Natural stone and premium pavers add 30–100% to material costs. Requesting quotes in late winter or early spring, when contractors are less busy, often results in better pricing and faster scheduling than peak summer season.
How Many Pavers Come on a Pallet?
Pallet quantities vary by manufacturer, paver thickness, and packaging — always confirm exact counts with your specific supplier before ordering. These are typical ranges to help with rough planning.
| Paver size | Typical pieces / pallet | Typical coverage / pallet |
|---|---|---|
| 4" × 8" | 480–600 | 120–150 sq ft |
| 6" × 9" | 300–350 | 125–145 sq ft |
| 12" × 12" | 90–110 | 90–110 sq ft |
| 16" × 16" | 50–60 | 90–105 sq ft |
| 24" × 24" | 20–26 | 80–100 sq ft |
Pallets are generally packed to a weight limit rather than a fixed count, so thicker or denser pavers (like natural stone) will have fewer pieces and less coverage per pallet than standard concrete pavers of the same face size.
Tips for Ordering Pavers
- Always order from the same production batch to ensure consistent colour — pavers from different batches can vary noticeably
- Add at least 10% waste for a standard patio — cuts at edges and broken pavers add up faster than expected
- For herringbone or diagonal patterns, use 15% minimum
- Keep 5–10% of leftover pavers for future repairs — matching discontinued products years later is difficult
- Compact the base in 2–3 inch lifts, not all at once — thin lifts compact more evenly and prevent settlement
- Order by the pallet where possible — partial pallets often cost more per piece and complex orders can mean longer lead times
Frequently Asked Questions
Paving Project Planning Checklist
Covers base excavation depth, compaction requirements, bedding sand prep, paver layout and pattern, edge restraints, jointing sand, and final sealing steps.
Download Checklist (PDF)Planning reference only. See Methodology and Data Sources. View all project checklists →
Accuracy & Review
Reviewed by: Dave Whitaker
Dave is a second-generation paving contractor with experience in patio, driveway, and walkway installation. He reviewed the piece-count logic, waste assumptions, base depth recommendations, and cost estimates used in this calculator.
Last updated:
See: Methodology · Data Sources · Review Board
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Disclaimer: Results are for general planning only. Actual quantities may vary due to compaction rates, site conditions, paver irregularity, and pattern complexity. Always confirm with your supplier and local contractor.
See Methodology and Data Sources for calculation details.