Paver Calculator for a Patio

How pavers, base and sand are counted

The example lays Pavestone's 60 mm Holland Stone over a plain 16 × 12 ft rectangle, on a gravel base under a screeded sand bed. These are the steps, each with its source and the planner's own arithmetic.

1. Pavers

   Pavestone prints 4.66 Holland stones per sq ft, so 192 sq ft is 895 pieces. The plan adds 5% for cuts at the edges, our own share, since none of our sources prints one. A 4x8 stone has the face of a brick, which is why this is the option for a brick-style patio.

   Arithmetic 192 sq ft × 4.66 per sq ft = 895 + 5% spare; about 2 pallets = 940 pavers

   Source Pavestone Holland Stone cut sheet (CM 051v9)

2. Gravel base

   Unilock's guide puts 6 in to 8 in of compacted gravel under a patio; the plan takes 6 in. It is weighed at WSDOT's 1.85 tons per cu yd compacted, the way a yard sells it. For the same base under poured concrete, use the concrete slab calculator.

   Arithmetic 3.56 cu yd compacted × 1.85 tons per cu yd; about 4.47 cu yd loose on the truck = 6.6 tons

   Sources Unilock Basic Tech Guide (2024); WSDOT Design Manual, Exhibit 620-1 (Sep 2024)

3. Bedding sand

   Unilock and CMHA agree on 1 in of sand, screeded flat and left loose. Martin Marietta weighs loose sand at 1.44 tons per cu yd.

   Arithmetic 0.59 cu yd × 1.44 tons per cu yd; or 32 bags of 50 lb at 0.5 cu ft each = 0.9 tons

   Sources Unilock Basic Tech Guide (2024); Martin Marietta aggregates calculator; QUIKRETE Mason Sand data sheet (Oct 2023)

4. Joint sand

   Alliance Gator prints 65 to 85 sq ft for a 50 lb bag on narrow joints. The plan takes the low end, so it errs toward one bag too many.

   Arithmetic 192 sq ft ÷ 65 sq ft per bag = 3 bags

   Source Alliance Gator reference guide (2025)

5. Edge restraint

   Restraint runs the whole 56 ft perimeter, pinned every 12 in as Snap Edge prefers. Leave out any side that butts a wall.

   Arithmetic One every 12 in along 56 ft = 56 ft, 56 spikes

   Source Snap Edge paver restraint spike placement sheet

6. How deep to dig

   Add the paver's own 2 3/8 in to the 7 in of base and sand, and you have the depth to dig below finished grade.

   Arithmetic 9 3/8 in: base + sand + paver

   Source Pavestone Holland Stone cut sheet (CM 051v9)

Where paver sources disagree

Paver makers each print their own base depth and pieces per square foot. The planner lists each value it found beside the one the example uses.

Before you dig out the patio

A patio is mostly digging and hauling, so line up the delivery and the locate marks first.