How to Calculate How Many Pavers I Need?
“How to calculate how many pavers I need?” - This is a common dilemma among homeowners considering a makeover project for their patios, driveways, pool decks, or entryways. As paving installation specialists, we're teaching you simple ways to calculate how many pavers you need so you won't overbuy or run short of materials for your outdoor space.
How to Calculate How Many Pavers I Need?
To determine the number of pavers you need, you first have to multiply the length and width of the project area. Then, calculate the size of your paving materials. Divide the total area with waste factor by the area covered by a single paver to get the total number of pavers necessary.
Add an extra 5%-10% waste factor should there be odd spaces or wrong cuts. As ICPI-certified paver installers, we adhere to industry standards for executing residential paving projects. Here at Aviara Pavers, we follow these steps to compute the number of pavers needed to make sure you don't run out or waste pavers.
Patio Paver Calculator: Calculating How Many Pavers You Need
Homeowners who spend more time at home try to make changes to their living spaces. In 2023, about 53% of homeowners renovated their outdoor spaces. When it comes to outdoor living upgrades, patio area projects may vary in dimensions, styles, and designs.
We'll go over some patio paver calculator examples of how to calculate the number of paving materials.
1. Calculate the Patio Area
Measuring the project area is the first step to determining how many pavers you'll need. Use a tape measure or a measuring wheel to record precise measurements.
This process involves multiplying the surface's length and width, whether for a square driveway or a rectangular walkway. For each type of patio, here are two formulas to calculate the area.
| Rectangular or Square Patio | Formula for a Triangular Patio | Formula for a Circular Patio |
|---|---|---|
| Area (in square feet) = Length (in feet) × Width (in feet) | Area (in square feet) = 0.5 × Total Sand Base (in feet) × Height (in feet) | Area (in square feet) = π × (Radius (in feet))^2 |
| Area (in square meters) = Length (in meters) × Width (in meters) | Area (in square meters) = 0.5 × Total Sand Base (in meters) × Height (in meters) | Area (in square meters) = π × (Radius (in meters))^2 |
Basically, you'll need to calculate a rectangular or square patio by multiplying the length and width measurements. For this example, we're going to use the square footage formula:
length x width = patio square feet
10 feet x 10 feet patio = 100 square feet
2. Identify the Paver Size
Choose the paver size and style, whether it's a running bond or basket weave, you want for your patio or outdoor space. To give you an idea, here are the common paver sizes.
| Paver Size (Inches) | Coverage (Square Feet) |
|---|---|
| 4 x 8 | 0.22 |
| 6 x 6 | 0.25 |
| 6 x 9 | 0.375 |
| 8 x 8 | 0.44 |
| 12 x 12 | 1 |
| 12 x 24 | 2 |
| 24 x 24 | 4 |
Suppose you're using 12" x 12" brick pavers. Multiply the length and width to identify the number of pavers per square foot. Then, divide the surface area by 144 to get the square feet.
Paver Square Feet = length x width
8 inches × 4 inches = 32 square inches
To convert to square feet: 32 ÷ 144 = 0.222 square feet per paver
3. Add Overage or Waste Factor
When installing pavers, it's best to buy at least 5% more than your estimation. You can even increase it to 10% if this is your first time and you have an extra budget. For instance, if you need a total of 450 pavers, a 5% to 10% overage means adding 23 to 45 pavers to your computation.
Multiply your calculated area by the waste factor and add it to your total area: Total Area with Waste = Area + (Area × Waste Factor)
Original area = 100 square feet
Waste factor = 10%
Additional area = 100 × 0.10 = 10 square feet
Total area with waste = 100 + 10 = 110 square feet
There may be instances when you have to cut bricks to fit a small space. By considering an overage, you won't have to leave your patio or pool deck unfinished and then drive to the store to get more materials.
4. Calculate the Paver Quantity
To determine the total number of necessary pavers, divide the total area with waste by the area covered by a single paver.
Number of Pavers = Total Area with Waste / Area per Paver
Number of Pavers = Total Area with Waste / Area per Paver
Number of Pavers = 110 / 0.222
Number of Pavers = 495.5
5. Round Up and Double-Check
To get just the right amount of pavers for your project, calculate the number of pavers needed based on your paver size measurements. Since suppliers usually sell paving blocks in whole units or square footage, round up your calculations accordingly.
It's wise to purchase slightly more than your exact calculation to have spares for future replacements. We typically do this in our projects to have adequate materials for patios of any shape.
Since you can't buy partial paving materials, you can round up to 496 pavers. In this example, you will need 496 pavers to complete your 10' × 10' patio project, including the 10% waste factor.
Patio Paver Calculator: Calculating the Number of Pavers for an Irregular Patio Area
When working on irregular patio areas with varying widths, break the area into smaller, more manageable sections where the paver size differs.
1. Measure the Total Area
Measure each section, then multiply the length and width. Combine the square footage of every part to compute the total square feet.
For example, you want a patio that resembles a four-armed star. In this case, you can divide the surface into five 15' x 15' squares.
Patio area = number of subareas x subarea width x subarea length
Patio area = 15 feet x 15 feet = 225 square feet
2. Calculate the Area You Need to Cover
Next, calculate the area a paving needs to cover and the number of pavers per square foot.
6" x 6" = 0.5 feet x 0.5 feet = 0.25 square feet per paver
3. Calculate the Total Number of Required Pavers
For the last step, divide the total area with waste by the area covered by a single paver to determine the pavers you need. You can round up the numbers if you don't get a whole number.
Total patio area = 225 square feet
Add 10% for waste/cuts = 225 × 1.10 = 247.5 square feet
Area per paver = 0.25 square feet
Number of pavers needed = 247.5 ÷ 0.25 = 990 pavers
You would need approximately 990 pavers for your 15' x 15' patio, including waste allowance. From here, you can easily calculate the cost of pavers and installation services.
Patio Paver Calculator: Calculating Pavers for Irregular Patio Areas With Paving Patterns
When planning a paving installation for an irregular patio area, accurate calculations should give you enough pavers, especially when using specific paving patterns like a basket weave or a running bond. For this particular example, here are some considerations:
Irregular patio area dimensions: Length = 20 feet, Width = 15 feet
Standard 6 x 6 paver size
10% waste factor
Running bond paving patterns
1. Divide Into Pattern Sections and Calculate the Area for Each Pattern Section
For this 20' x 15' irregular patio area, we'll use a running bond pattern, which is one of the most common paver patterns. To calculate the area:
Total square footage = Length × Width
20 feet × 15 feet = 300 square feet of patio space
While this patio is considered irregular, treating it as one rectangular section with a running bond pattern simplifies the calculation process while achieving accurate material estimates.
2. Account for Waste
When laying paving blocks for an irregular patio area using a running bond pattern, include a waste factor in your calculations to account for cuts and adjustments. A 10% waste factor is commonly applied:
Waste Factor Calculation: 300 × 0.10 = 30
When installing a running bond pattern, you'll need an additional 30 square feet of material beyond your base measurement to accommodate fitting and cutting adjustments.
3. Choose Paver Size and Calculate Paver Quantity for Each Pattern Section
The next step is to choose the paver size for the running bond pattern in irregular patio areas. Suppose your chosen paver size is 6 x 6 inches or 0.5 x 0.5 feet. This equates to 0.25 square feet per paving.
Once you have the chosen size, divide the total area with waste for each running bond pattern section by the area covered by a single paver of your chosen size and style. Using the formula: Number of Pavers = Total Area with Waste / Area per Paver Number of Pavers
Total Area with Waste / Area per Paver Number of Pavers = 330 square feet ÷ 0.25 square feet
Number of Pavers Needed = 1,320
Based on these calculations, you will need 1,320 pavers to complete your 20' × 15' irregular patio area, including the 10% waste factor.
4. Round-Up for Each Section and Total the Paver Quantities
When calculating the total pavers for an irregular patio area, total the pavers needed for each section and round up the final number. For instance, in this running bond pattern, you can round up to either whole pavers or the next square foot increment, depending on how the pavers are sold.
The final paver quantity in this irregular patio area example is 1,320 paving materials. It's a good practice to round up and order a few extra pavers, so ordering 1,350 running bond pavers would give you a safe margin.
Reminders When Calculating the Number of Pavers for a Patio Project
On average, American households spend $8,305 on home improvement and $3,192 on maintenance, such as cleaning pavers. Particularly when you're working on a tight budget, it's vital that you stick to your calculations so you can finish the project according to your design.
Here are additional calculation reminders:
Keep in mind that there are 144 square inches in one square foot.
When measuring for a fire pit, consider the number of layers to build the pit. For example, if you need 12 pavers for each ring, you need 48 pavers for four layers.
When working on paving patterns, calculate the pattern in square feet and then determine how many repeating designs you need. Assemble a repeating part of the pattern and calculate the area. After that, multiply it by the number of times the design shows.
When the material has patterns laid out at an angle, have at least 10% overage, as you may need allowance for cutting paving.
For circular designs, calculate the half-circle's area, then measure the flat part of the half-circle. Divide the half-circle's area by the surface area of the individual paving to determine the pavers you need.
Related Questions
What Is the Formula for Pavers?
To calculate pavers, multiply the length by the width of your project area in square feet, then divide by the square footage of a single paver to determine the base quantity needed. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles and triangles, calculate each section separately, and then add them together for the total.
How Many Square Meters Is a Pack of Block Pavers?
A standard pack of block paving typically covers between 45 to 60 square feet, although this can vary depending on the manufacturer and paver style. The exact coverage should be clearly marked on the packing information, helping you determine how many packs you'll need, especially if you want to build large patios, entryways, or driveways.
What Is the Spacing for Paver Blocks?
The standard spacing between paving blocks is typically 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch, which allows for proper sand filling and prevents paving from chipping against each other. This spacing must be factored in when you estimate the total pavers by adding approximately 10% to your paver base quantity to account for cuts and waste.
What Is the Common Paver Size for Brick Pavers?
4" x 8" is among the most common paver sizes. However, some service providers offer varying styles and sizes, so make sure to check it with the designer.
What Are Common Paving Patterns?
Popular paver patterns include fan or radial designs that create a central point and a basket weave with a woven appearance. Running bond patterns have each paving in a row offset by half from the one below it, while circular patterns add visual interest to patios, driveways, and walkways. Each pattern requires different calculations for materials.
Conclusion
Patios, driveways, walkways, and entry ways can serve as functional and beautiful focal points in homes. After calculating the number of pavers needed for a patio project, it's time for site preparation, digging, paver installation, and sealing. With Aviara Pavers, you can work with a professional paver construction company to get the best deals and results.