Calculator
Paver & Brick Calculator
Paver count from patio area seems like simple division, but the layout pattern changes waste percentage significantly — a running-bond pattern (bricks offset in straight rows) wastes relatively little, while herringbone wastes noticeably more because nearly every border paver needs an angled cut, similar to why herringbone tile wastes more than a straight tile lay.
This calculator sizes paver count from patio area, unit size, and pattern-specific waste, and separately estimates the paver-base gravel layer beneath the pavers, since that's a distinct volume calculation from the pavers themselves. Cross-reference the sand calculator for the bedding and joint sand layers, and see paver patterns and waste guide for a side-by-side comparison.
Calculate your quantity
5% for running bond, 10-12% for herringbone.
Pavers needed
972 pavers
- Area
- 200 sq ft
Shopping summary
- • 972 paver(s)
This is an estimate — confirm structural work with a professional.
How this calculation works
Base paver count = patio area / area per paver, plus a pattern-specific waste percentage: running bond typically runs about 5%, basketweave a bit more, and herringbone 10-12% or higher, since its diagonal border cuts are less efficient to reuse as offcuts elsewhere in the field.
Beneath the pavers themselves sits a compacted gravel base layer, typically 4-6 inches deep depending on soil and expected load (foot traffic vs. vehicle), calculated the same way as the gravel calculator (area x depth / 27 for cubic yards) — this base layer is what actually keeps the patio from settling and shifting over time, and skipping or under-building it is a common reason paver patios fail early.
Common mistakes
- Using a flat waste percentage regardless of pattern — herringbone genuinely needs more pavers than running bond for the same area.
- Skimping on the compacted gravel base to save cost, which is the single most common reason a paver patio settles unevenly within a couple of seasons.
- Forgetting edge restraints (plastic or metal paver edging), which hold the field pattern in place and aren't optional on most installs.
- Not buying a few extra pavers beyond the waste allowance for future repairs, since paver colors and finishes get discontinued.
- Not sloping the base and paver surface slightly away from the house or a structure, which is a drainage requirement independent of quantity and, if missed, can direct water toward a foundation.
- Compacting the base in one thick pass instead of multiple thinner compacted lifts, which typically doesn't achieve the same density and can lead to settling later even though the raw material quantity was correct.
Shopping summary
Order pavers rounded up from area plus pattern-specific waste (5% running bond, 10-12%+ herringbone), plus compacted gravel base by cubic yard at 4-6 inch depth, plus bedding/joint sand from the sand calculator and edge restraints by patio perimeter.
Worked example: a 200 sq ft patio using 4x8 inch pavers (0.22 sq ft each) in running bond needs a base count of 200/0.22 ≈ 909 pavers, plus 5% waste = 954, rounding to whole units per your supplier's pack size. The same patio in herringbone at 11% waste needs about 200/0.22 x 1.11 ≈ 1,009 pavers — roughly 55 more units purely from the pattern choice.
FAQ
Why does herringbone need more pavers than running bond?
Because herringbone's diagonal pattern meets every border edge at an angle, requiring more individual cuts, and those angled offcuts are less likely to be reusable elsewhere in the field than the straight offcuts a running-bond pattern produces.
How deep should the gravel base be under a patio?
4-6 inches of compacted base is typical for a foot-traffic patio, with deeper bases (and sometimes a different base material) called for if the area will see vehicle weight, like a driveway extension.
Should I buy extra pavers beyond the waste allowance, like the tile advice on this site?
Yes, for the same dye-lot reason covered in why you always need 10% extra tile — paver colors and finishes are periodically discontinued or reformulated, so holding back a small stack of extras from the original order is the only reliable way to guarantee a matching repair paver years later.
Do I need edge restraints on every side of a paver patio?
Yes — a complete perimeter of edge restraint is standard practice, since any unrestrained edge allows the field pattern to shift and gap over time under normal foot traffic and seasonal ground movement.
How are pavers typically sold — by the piece, the pallet, or the square foot?
Most suppliers sell pavers by the pallet (a fixed quantity covering a set square footage for that specific size and shape) with individual pieces available for small top-ups, so round your calculated count up to the nearest whole pallet for the bulk of the order rather than trying to buy the exact calculated piece count individually.