Paving Calculator
Work out how many paving stones a patio or path needs — with joints and wastage counted — plus the bedding sand underneath.
Paving is counted like bricks — each paver plus its joint takes a cell of area — but the joints and the bedding sand are what most estimates miss. This calculator counts all three.
Measure the area, enter the paver size and joint, and the count, the bedding sand and the cost follow.
Your results
Enter your measurements and press Calculate.
Quantities are rounded up to whole tiles, planks, boxes or bags, after the wastage allowance. Cost appears only when you enter a price.
Formula
All lengths are converted to a single unit before the calculation: 1 ft = 0.3048 m, 1 in = 25.4 mm, 1 ft² = 0.09290304 m², 1 yd² = 9 ft². Material quantities are rounded up — you cannot buy part of a tile, plank or bag.
How to use this calculator
- Choose the shape of the area to pave.
- Enter the paver size and the joint width.
- Set wastage at 10% and the bedding depth (usually 1 in).
- Add a price per paver if you want a cost estimate.
Worked example
| Patio | 10 ft × 10 ft = 100 ft² |
|---|---|
| Paver | 12 × 12 in with a 10 mm joint |
| Cell area | (0.3048 + 0.01) × (0.3048 + 0.01) = 0.0991 m² |
| Pavers | ⌈(9.29 ÷ 0.0991) × 1.10⌉ = 104 pavers |
| Bedding sand (1 in) | 9.29 m² × 0.0254 m = 0.24 m³ = 8.33 ft³ |
Check it by hand: every step above uses the formula in the box. If your numbers match the example inputs but the calculator gives a different answer, please report it via the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need?
Divide the area by the area of one paver plus its joint, add 10% for cuts, and round up. A 10 × 10 ft patio of 12 in pavers needs 104 pavers. Enter your paver size and joint above.
How wide should paving joints be?
5–15 mm is normal — 10 mm is a good default. Narrower joints look neater but leave no room for uneven pavers; wider joints need more jointing sand.
How much bedding sand do I need?
Area × depth — usually 1 in of sharp sand, screeded level. A 10 × 10 ft patio needs 8.33 ft³ of bedding sand. The sub-base (crushed stone) underneath is separate — use the gravel calculator for that.
Do I need a sub-base under paving?
Yes — 4–6 in of compacted crushed stone (type 1 / MOT) under the bedding sand, or the pavers will sink. The gravel calculator works out the sub-base volume.
Related calculators
Estimates only. Results are for planning. Measure twice, confirm box coverage and tile sizes on the packaging you buy, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. See the disclaimer.