Paver Calculator

Overview

Calculates paver pieces from their actual face dimensions and share of patio area, then adds 4-in base, 1-in bedding sand, fabric, edge restraint, and joint sand.

Assumptions

• The patio is rectangular.
• Piece counts include 10% cutting waste; base and sand depths are fixed by the tool.

Worked example

A 12 × 12 ft patio is 144 sq ft. With 8 × 4 in pavers (0.222 sq ft each), ceil(144 ÷ 0.222 × 1.10) = 713 pieces; base is 1.78 cu yd.

Common mistakes

• Using nominal rather than actual paver dimensions.
• Treating the fixed 4-in base as suitable for every soil or vehicle load.

Limitations

It does not design subgrade, drainage, load capacity, or pattern cuts.

Safety and local requirements

Use silica-dust controls and eye protection when cutting. Check permits, setbacks, and drainage rules locally.

Sources

• International Code Council — code reference background
• OSHA — Landscaping and Horticulture