Paver calculator
Estimate paving units from area, paver dimensions, joint width and waste, plus packs and bedding-layer volume.
Paving quantity estimate
Enter the paved area, paver size, joint width and pack size to estimate pieces, packs and bedding.
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How does this tool work?
When paving a patio, a yard or a driveway, the practical question is twofold: how many pavers to order and how much sand or grit to put under them. This calculator takes the area dimensions, the actual paver size and the joint width, works out the pavers per m², adds a cutting allowance, converts the result into packs and gives the geometric volume of the bedding layer.
Paved area is length × width. Pavers per m² is the inverse of the module (paver length + joint) × (paver width + joint): a 200 × 100 mm paver with a 3 mm joint gives 47.8 pieces per m², a 300 × 150 mm slab about 21.6.
The theoretical need is multiplied by the cutting and breakage allowance, rounded up to whole pavers, then divided by pavers per pack and rounded up to the next pack.
Bedding volume is area × the thickness you enter: 24 m² at 40 mm gives 0.96 m³. It is an in-place volume, with no compaction factor or conversion to tonnes.
Limits: the area is assumed rectangular and the laying pattern is assumed not to change the piece count, which holds on average for stretcher, basket-weave or herringbone bonds, but not for edges cut at an angle. Sub-base, edgings, geotextile and jointing sand are not counted. Pavement design and laying rules (BS 7533 in the UK, manufacturer guides elsewhere) are references to follow, not something the tool verifies.
Area gives a first paver count, but the laying pattern and edge cuts determine the useful waste allowance. After adding that reserve, round again to the packs or pallets actually sold by the supplier.
How to use this tool
Measure the area to pave
Enter the length and width inside the edgings; split an L-shaped area into two rectangles.
Enter paver and joint
Use the actual paver size in millimetres and the recommended joint width, often 3 to 5 mm.
Set allowance and pack size
Keep about 8% for straight laying, more for diagonal patterns, and enter the pavers per pack or pallet.
Add the bedding thickness
Enter the planned thickness after compaction, then read pavers, packs and sand volume.
Paver layout
Each paver takes up its own area plus a share of joint.
Pavers per m²
n = 1 ÷ ((l + j) × (w + j))
Dimensions and joint in metres.
Pavers to order
N = ⌈A × n × (1 + allowance)⌉
A is the paved area.
Bedding layer
V = A × thickness
Geometric volume, before compaction is taken into account.
The bedding volume is geometric: when ordering sand, allow for compaction and the bulk density stated by the supplier.
Use cases
Pedestrian patio on a sand bed
Price the pavers and sand for a 20 to 30 m² patio laid on 30 to 40 mm of bedding.
Driveway
Prepare the pack order for a rectangular driveway and check how much bedding material to have delivered.
Choosing a paver size
Compare how many pieces you handle with a small 200 × 100 mm block versus a 300 × 150 mm slab on the same area.
Examples
6 × 4 m patio in 200 × 100 mm pavers
The 0.203 × 0.103 m module gives 47.8 pavers per m². 1,240 pavers make 24.8 packs, rounded up to 25.
Input
6 m × 4 m, 200 × 100 mm paver, 3 mm joint, 8% allowance, 50 pavers per pack, 4 cm beddingResult
24 m², 47.8 pavers/m², 1,148 theoretical, 1,240 to order, 25 packs, 0.96 m³ of bedding8 × 3 m path in 300 × 150 mm slabs
For the same area, a larger format more than halves the number of pieces to lay.
Input
8 m × 3 m, 300 × 150 mm paver, 3 mm joint, 8% allowance, 25 pieces per pack, 3 cm beddingResult
24 m², 21.6 pieces/m², 518 theoretical, 560 to order, 23 packs, 0.72 m³ of beddingTips and best practices
- Pavers with built-in spacer nibs set their own joint: enter the nib width rather than a theoretical value.
- Diagonal or herringbone laying multiplies edge cuts: raise the allowance to around 10 to 15%.
- Order bedding sand 10 to 20% above the geometric volume to cover compaction and losses, following your supplier’s advice.
- If pavers are sold by the m², compare the area with allowance directly with the coverage of one pallet.
Sources and references
Frequently asked questions
Why does the joint change the number of pavers?
Each paver takes up its own size plus a share of the joint in the laying pattern. A wider joint slightly reduces the number of pieces per m².
Is the 8% allowance always enough?
No. It can be changed. The shape of the area, the pattern and the number of cuts can justify a different allowance.
Is the bedding volume the amount of sand to buy?
Not exactly. It is a geometric volume. The actual material depends on its density, moisture, compaction and the build-up you choose.
How many pavers per square metre?
Divide 1 by (length + joint) × (width + joint), in metres. A 200 × 100 mm paver with a 3 mm joint gives 1 ÷ (0.203 × 0.103) ≈ 47.8 pavers per m².
How thick should the bedding layer be?
For pavers on sand or grit, about 30 to 50 mm after compaction is common. The manufacturer’s laying guide and the use of the area, pedestrian or vehicular, set the actual value.
Are the sub-base and edging included?
No. The aggregate sub-base, any geotextile, edge restraints and jointing sand are calculated separately; the gravel calculator can help with the sub-base.
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