The formula
One paver with its joint = (width + joint) × (length + joint) ÷ 144 sq ft Pavers = area ÷ one paver × (1 + extra %) Gravel base = area × base depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 cubic yards × 1.4 tons Sand = area × sand depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 cubic yards × 1.35 tons
Example: a 12 × 12 ft patio is 144 square feet. 4 × 8 inch pavers with 1/8 inch joints need 4.3 per square foot, so 681 pavers with 10% extra, on 2.49 tons of gravel 4 inches deep and 0.6 tons of sand 1 inch deep.
Quick answers for common patios
| Patio | 4 × 8 in pavers | Gravel base, 4 in | Sand, 1 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 473 | 1.73 tons | 0.42 tons |
| 12 × 12 ft | 681 | 2.49 tons | 0.6 tons |
| 12 × 16 ft | 908 | 3.32 tons | 0.8 tons |
| 16 × 20 ft | 1,513 | 5.53 tons | 1.33 tons |
| 20 × 20 ft | 1,891 | 6.91 tons | 1.67 tons |
Pavers per square foot
| Paver size | Per square foot |
|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 4.3 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.58 |
| 12 × 12 in | 0.98 |
Patios and paths usually get a 4 to 6 inch compacted gravel base; driveways need 8 to 12 inches. A 1 inch layer of coarse sand goes on top of the base for setting the pavers. For a deeper base, the gravel calculator lets you choose the stone.
Sources and assumptions
Gravel base at 1.4 tons per cubic yard and sand at 1.35 tons per cubic yard, typical figures for crushed stone and coarse sand. Paver sizes are nominal; check the size on the pallet, since some “4 × 8” pavers are slightly smaller.
Questions
How many pavers do I need for a 10 × 10 patio?
About 473 pavers of 4 × 8 inches with 1/8 inch joints and 10% extra.
How many 4 × 8 pavers are in a square foot?
About 4.5 without joints, or 4.3 with 1/8 inch joints.
How deep should the base be under pavers?
4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel for patios and walkways, 8 to 12 inches for driveways, plus 1 inch of sand.
References and review
Units convert with exact definitions: 1 ft = 12 in = 0.3048 m, 1 yd³ = 27 ft³. Results round up to whole bags, sheets and pieces so you don’t come up short. Last reviewed October 19, 2026. If your bag, pallet or supplier lists a different figure, use theirs: change the matching field above.