Enter the area, paver size and use. The calculator counts pavers with an allowance for cuts, and works out the compacted aggregate base and the 1 in bedding sand layer the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) specifies.
Pavers + base calculator
How it works
- Pavers = area ÷ (paver length × width ÷ 144) × (1 + waste %), rounded up
- Base = area × base depth ÷ 12 → cubic feet; tons at 1.8 tons per compacted cubic yard (Illinois DOT factor for compacted crushed stone)
- Bedding sand = area × sand depth ÷ 12; tons at 97 lb/cu ft for dry sand
ICPI Tech Spec 2 minimums after compaction: 4 in of base under patios, walks and pedestrian areas on well-drained soil, 6 in under residential driveways, and 2 to 4 in more where soils are wet, weak or freeze. Bedding sand is spread to a nominal 1 in and is not used to level the base.
Worked example
A 16 × 12 ft patio in 4 × 8 in pavers on a 4 in base:
- Area length: 16 ft
- Area width: 12 ft
- Paver length: 8 in
- Paver width: 4 in
- Extra pavers for cuts and breakage: 10%
- Use: Patio or walk: 4 in base
- Bedding sand depth: 1 in
The calculator gives:
- Pavers: 951 (864 + 10%)
- Base aggregate: 2.37 cu yd compacted ≈ 4.27 tons
- Bedding sand: 0.59 cu yd ≈ 0.78 tons
- Area: 192 sq ft
192 sq ft ÷ 0.222 sq ft per paver = 864 pavers, plus 10% = 951. The base is 64 cu ft (2.37 cu yd), about 4.3 tons, and the sand 16 cu ft, about 0.8 tons.
Material and waste notes
- Pavers are nominal sizes. Joints between pavers (1/16 to 3/16 in per ICPI) mean slightly fewer pavers are needed than the nominal count; the waste allowance covers cuts and breakage.
- Herringbone and diagonal patterns need more cuts than running bond. Raise the allowance for them.
- Edge restraints, joint sand and geotextile are not included.
- Base depth for driveways and poor soils may need to be deeper than the ICPI minimums. Local practice and your soil decide.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
4.5 for 4 × 8 in pavers, 2.25 for 8 × 8 in, 1 for 12 × 12 in, before the allowance for cuts.
How deep should the base be for pavers?
At least 4 in compacted for patios and walks on well-drained soil and 6 in for driveways, per ICPI Tech Spec 2, and 2 to 4 in more on wet or frost-prone soil.
How much sand goes under pavers?
A 1 in bedding layer, about 0.31 cu yd per 100 sq ft.
Sources
- Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, ICPI Tech Spec 2: Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavements (base thickness, 1 in bedding layer, joint widths)
- Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Materials, MISTIC pay item / material conversion factor report (2020): 1.8 tons per cu yd for compacted crushed stone, 1.5 for natural sand
- Engineering ToolBox, "Dirt and Mud – Densities" (dirt, gravel, sand and clay, dry and wet)
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026. The calculation is covered by automated tests with known answers taken from the sources above. Found an error? Please let us know.