Paving Calculator

Dimensions

Length

Width

Paver Size

Paver Length

Paver Width

Joint Width

Pattern

Paver Pattern

Running Bond—Waste: 5%

Installation

Installation Type

Sand bedding, no mortar. Best for patios, walkways, easy DIY.

Sub-base Depth

Waste

Include Cost Estimation

Total Pavers Needed

Running Bond · 5% waste included

754pavers

718 base+36 waste47.8 /m²

Project Area & Paver Density

5 m × 3 m

Project Area

15.00 m²

161.46 ft²

Paver Density

47.8 /m²

Paver: 200×100 mm, joint: 3 mm

Materials Breakdown

Dry-lay (sand bedding) · 25 mm bedding · 100 mm sub-base

Joint Sand

54.0 kg

3 × 25kg bags

Bedding Sand

0.60 tonnes

24 × 25kg bags · 25 mm depth

Sub-base Stone

3.00 tonnes

100 mm depth · ~2.0 t/m³ density

Polymeric Sand

3 bags

25 kg bags (for joints)

Sand density: 1.6 t/m³ · Sub-base: 2.0 t/m³ · Paver thickness: 50 mm

Paver Count & Waste

Running Bond pattern · 5% waste factor

Base Count

718 pavers

Calculated from area ÷ effective paver size (rounded up)

Waste

36 pavers (+5%)

Pattern: Running Bond · 5% waste

Total

754 pavers

Rounded up — always buy a few extra for cuts

What Is a Paving Calculator?

Estimate pavers, sand, and sub-base for patios, driveways, and walkways

A Paving Calculator helps you determine exactly how many pavers, joint sand bags, bedding sand, and sub-base stone you need for your paving project. Whether you are laying a patio, driveway, garden path, or circular fire pit area, accurate material estimation saves money and prevents multiple trips to the supplier.

5 Patterns

Running Bond

Herringbone, Basketweave & more

4 Shapes

Rectangle, Circle

L-Shape & Custom Area

Free

No sign-up

Unlimited calculations

Used by: DIY homeowners, landscapers, contractors, and builders to plan patio, driveway, and walkway projects. The calculator accounts for joint spacing, pattern waste, bedding depth, and sub-base thickness — details that basic “area divided by brick size” calculators miss. Supports both metric and imperial units with multi-currency cost estimation.

How Is the Paver Count Calculated?

The formulas behind paver and material estimation

The calculation uses four steps: find your project area, divide by the effective paver size (including joints), apply a pattern-based waste factor, then compute sand and sub-base volumes from area and depth.

Area

Area (m²) = Length × Width

For rectangles: length × width. For circles: π × (diameter ÷ 2)². For L-shapes: sum of two rectangles. The calculator converts imperial units to metric automatically.

Paver Count

Pavers = Ceil(Area ÷ ((PaverL + Joint) × (PaverW + Joint)))

The effective paver size includes half a joint width on each side. For example, a 200×100 mm paver with 3 mm joints covers 0.0209 m² (not 0.02 m²). Always round up.

Waste

Total Pavers = Pavers × (1 + Waste% ÷ 100)

Waste varies by pattern: running bond 5%, stacked bond 3%, herringbone 10%, basketweave 12%. You can override with a custom waste percentage for irregular areas.

Materials

Volume = Area × Depth; Weight = Volume × Density

Joint sand uses joint volume (joint length × width × 50mm paver thickness). Bedding sand: 25mm depth (dry-lay) or 35mm (wet-lay mortar). Sub-base: 100mm (patio) or 150mm (driveway) at 2.0 t/m³ density.

Worked Example: 5 m × 3 m Patio with Running Bond

Area = 5 × 3 = 15 m²
Paver: 200×100 mm, Joint: 3 mm → Effective area = 0.203 × 0.103 = 0.0209 m²
Pavers per m² = 1 ÷ 0.0209 ≈ 47.8
Base pavers = Ceil(15 × 47.8) = 718
Waste (5% running bond) = Ceil(718 × 0.05) = 36
Total pavers = 718 + 36 = 754 pavers

Paver Patterns & Waste Factors

How your laying pattern affects material requirements

Different laying patterns require different amounts of cutting and therefore produce varying waste. Below is a comparison of the five supported patterns.

Pattern	Waste	Difficulty	Best For
Running Bond	5%	Easy	Patios, walkways, driveways
Stacked Bond	3%	Easy	Modern patios, clean lines
Herringbone 45°	10%	Moderate	Driveways, high-traffic areas
Herringbone 90°	10%	Moderate	Formal layouts, driveways
Basketweave	12%	Moderate	Patios, decorative areas

Pro tip

Waste factors are industry-standard estimates. Actual waste depends on your specific layout, the shape of your area, and cutting skill. Always buy at least 5% extra even for simple patterns, and consider 2-3% extra for future repairs since pavers from different production batches can vary in colour.

Dry-Lay vs Wet-Lay Installation

Choosing the right method for your project

Dry-Lay (Sand Bedding)

25 mm sand bedding depth
100 mm sub-base depth
Best for: patios, walkways, garden paths
Easier DIY, good drainage, permeable
Lower cost, less skilled labour needed
Individual pavers can be replaced easily

Wet-Lay (Mortar Bed)

35 mm mortar bedding depth
150 mm sub-base depth
Best for: driveways, heavy loads, slopes
Stronger, longer lasting, less weed growth
Higher cost, professional installation recommended
Harder to repair individual pavers

Which should you choose? Use dry-lay for patios, garden paths, and areas with only foot traffic — it is cheaper, easier to DIY, and drains water naturally. Use wet-lay for driveways, steep slopes, and areas that carry vehicle loads — the mortar bed prevents pavers from shifting under lateral forces from turning tyres.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Get your paving estimates right the first time

Forgetting waste for cuts

Even for perfectly rectangular areas, you will need to cut pavers at the edges. Always add at least 5% waste for running bond, up to 12% for basketweave. Ordering the exact calculated count guarantees you will run short.

Ignoring joint width

A 3 mm joint may seem small, but over 15 m² it reduces the paver count by 5-10%. Always account for joint spacing in your calculations. Wider joints need more sand but fewer pavers.

Underestimating sub-base depth

Patios need at least 100 mm of compacted sub-base. Driveways need 150 mm or more. Skimping on sub-base leads to sinking and uneven surfaces within months. Compact in layers no thicker than 75 mm each.

Using the wrong sand

For joints, use kiln-dried sand (dry-lay) or polymeric sand. Never use building sand — it contains clay and organic matter that will stain pavers, encourage weed growth, and wash out of joints. Sharp sand or grit sand is for bedding, not joints.

Not planning edge restraints

All paved areas need edge restraints (concrete haunching, metal or plastic edging) to prevent pavers from spreading. Without them, the outer pavers will shift over time. Add edge restraints to your materials list and budget.

Key Considerations & Pro Tips

Tips for a successful paving project

Always round up

Pavers are sold individually or by the pallet. Always round up your count — it is better to have a few extra than to run short mid-project. A standard pallet holds 400–500 standard pavers (200×100 mm).

Compact the sub-base properly

Sub-base stone must be compacted in layers (max 75 mm per lift) using a plate compactor, not hand tamping. Uncompacted stone will settle over time. The calculator assumes fully compacted density at 2.0 t/m³.

Use polymeric sand for joints

Polymeric sand contains polymers that harden when wet, preventing weed growth and ant infestation. It costs more than kiln-dried sand but lasts years longer. For the best results, sweep it into dry joints and mist lightly with water.

Plan for drainage slope

Patios and driveways should slope away from buildings at 1:60 to 1:100 (about 10–17 mm per metre). This does not affect material quantities but is critical for preventing water pooling and damp issues.

Order extra for batch consistency

Pavers from different production batches can vary noticeably in colour and texture. Order 2–3% extra with your main order and store them for future repairs or modifications. Mix pavers from different pallets during installation to blend any slight colour variations.

Important: These estimates are for planning purposes only. Material densities (sand: 1.6 t/m³, sub-base: 2.0 t/m³, mortar: 2.0 t/m³) are industry averages. Actual values vary by source, moisture content, and compaction. Always confirm quantities with your supplier and consider ordering an extra 5-10% for irregular areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about paving calculations and installation

Measure your project area (length × width) in square metres or square feet. Divide the area by the effective paver size — paver length plus joint width, multiplied by paver width plus joint width. Then add waste: 5% for running bond, 10% for herringbone, 12% for basketweave. Always round up to the nearest whole paver. For example, a 15 m² patio with 200×100 mm pavers and 3 mm joints needs approximately 718 base pavers plus 36 waste (running bond, 5%) = 754 total pavers.

Two types of sand are used in block paving. Joint sand (swept into gaps between pavers) is calculated from the total joint length per square metre. For a 15 m² patio with 200×100 mm pavers and 3 mm joints, you need about 60 kg (3 × 25kg bags) of joint sand. Bedding sand (the layer under pavers) requires area × depth — for a 25 mm sand bed over 15 m², that is 0.375 m³ or about 0.6 tonnes (24 × 25kg bags). Always use sharp sand or grit sand for bedding, and kiln-dried sand or polymeric sand for joints — never building sand.

Herringbone (45° or 90°) is the best pattern for driveways because it interlocks pavers in all directions, resisting the lateral forces from turning tyres. This interlock prevents pavers from shifting and creating ruts. Running bond can also work but is less resistant to turning forces. Stacked bond is not recommended for driveways as it has no interlock. Herringbone needs about 10% waste for cuts. Always use a 150 mm sub-base (instead of 100 mm for patios) and consider wet-lay (mortar) installation for maximum durability under vehicle loads.

Paving costs vary widely by material and region. As a rough guide: basic concrete pavers cost $2–4 per sq ft (materials only), mid-range clay pavers $4–8 per sq ft, and natural stone $8–20+ per sq ft. Installation labour adds $5–15 per sq ft depending on complexity. Including sub-base, sand, and labour, a typical patio costs $10–25 per sq ft all-in. Use the cost estimation feature in our calculator with your local prices for an accurate estimate. Prices vary significantly by country — check with local suppliers for current rates.

Dry-lay paving uses a compacted sand bed (typically 25 mm thick) with pavers laid directly on top and joint sand swept into the gaps. It is easier to DIY, costs less, has better drainage, and allows individual paver replacement. Wet-lay paving uses a mortar bed (typically 35 mm thick) with pavers bedded into wet mortar and mortar-filled joints. It is stronger, more durable, resists weed growth and ant infestation, and handles heavy loads and slopes better. The trade-off is higher cost, more skill required, and harder repairs. Use dry-lay for patios and walkways; use wet-lay for driveways and areas with vehicle traffic.

A standard pallet of 200×100×50 mm concrete pavers typically contains 400–500 units, covering approximately 8–10 m² (86–108 ft²). Larger format pavers (300×300 mm, 600×200 mm) have fewer units per pallet — typically 100–200. Clay pavers are heavier and pallets typically hold 300–400 units. Always check with your supplier as pallet quantities vary by manufacturer, paver thickness, and regional standards. Factor pallet quantities into your order: if you need 754 pavers and pallets come in 480, order 2 pallets (960 pavers) for spares and batch consistency.

For a patio with foot traffic only, a 100 mm (4 inch) compacted sub-base of MOT Type 1 or crusher run stone is standard. For driveways or areas with vehicle traffic, use 150 mm (6 inches). For heavy-duty areas (large vehicles, commercial use), 200 mm (8 inches) is recommended. The sub-base must be compacted in layers no thicker than 75 mm each using a plate compactor. Without proper compaction, the paved surface will sink and become uneven within months. Also check out our Sub Base Calculator for detailed tonnage and bulk bag estimates.

Calculate the area of the circle: π × (diameter ÷ 2)². For example, a 3-metre diameter circular patio has an area of π × (1.5)² = 7.07 m². Then use the same paver calculation: divide the area by the effective paver size (including joint width) to get the base count, and add waste. Circular areas typically have higher waste (8–12%) because pavers need to be cut to fit the curved edge. Our calculator handles all four area shapes — select 'Circle' from the shape selector and enter your diameter for an automatic calculation.

Standard joint width for paving is 2–5 mm (1/16 to 3/16 inch). For driveways, use 3–5 mm to allow for thermal expansion. For patios, 2–3 mm is typical for a tighter look. Very tight joints (1–2 mm) are used for sawn natural stone or porcelain pavers but require more skill to lay evenly. Wider joints (>5 mm) are used for tumbled or riven pavers with irregular edges. Joint width directly affects how many pavers you need — a 5 mm joint on a 200×100 mm paver adds about 5% to the effective paver area compared to a 2 mm joint, meaning fewer pavers are needed but more joint sand is required.

Herringbone pattern (both 45° and 90°) typically requires 10% waste on top of the base paver count. This is higher than running bond (5%) because herringbone creates many triangular off-cuts at the edges that cannot be reused. On irregularly shaped areas, herringbone waste can reach 12–15%. For a 15 m² patio with 200×100 mm pavers and 3 mm joints: base count is 718 pavers, and 10% waste adds 72 pavers for a total of 790. Always order at least the calculated amount — running short during a herringbone lay is frustrating because each cut paver is pattern-specific and cannot be substituted.

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Last updated May 22, 2026

Paving Calculator

Project Area & Paver Density

Materials Breakdown

Paver Count & Waste

What Is a Paving Calculator?

How Is the Paver Count Calculated?

Paver Patterns & Waste Factors

Dry-Lay vs Wet-Lay Installation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Key Considerations & Pro Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Embed Paving Calculator

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