How many pavers are in a pallet?

Pallet quantities vary by paver size. A typical pallet of 12×12 inch concrete pavers holds about 100 to 120 pieces (100 to 120 sq ft). A pallet of 4×8 inch brick pavers typically holds 450 to 500 pieces (about 100 sq ft). Always confirm with your supplier, as coverage per pallet varies significantly by product line.

Paver Calculator: Count, Sand Base & Cost (Free)

Q: How deep should a paver base be?

For a patio or walkway with light foot traffic, use 4 inches of compacted gravel base plus 1 inch of leveling sand. For a driveway with passenger cars, use 6 inches of gravel base. For driveways carrying trucks or heavy loads, use 8 inches plus geotextile fabric. Always compact the gravel in 2-inch lifts for best stability.

Q: What is the best paver pattern for a patio?

Running bond is the simplest pattern, looks clean, and has the least cutting waste (about 5%). Herringbone is the most durable for driveways because the interlocking 90° or 45° angles distribute load well, but it requires more cuts (about 10–15% waste). Basketweave is beginner-friendly with minimal cuts. Diagonal herringbone creates a dramatic visual but has the highest waste (15%). For most DIY patios, running bond is the best choice.

Q: How much polymeric sand do I need?

Polymeric sand fills the joints between pavers and hardens when wet to resist weeds and ants. A 50 lb bag typically covers 15 to 20 sq ft of patio area for standard joint widths (3/16 to 3/8 inch). Wider joints or irregular stone use more. For a 200 sq ft patio, plan for 10 to 14 bags. Buy 10–15% extra since you will need to do multiple applications to fully fill joints.

Paver & Patio Calculator

Results update as you type

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Paver Size

Laying Pattern — affects cut waste percentage

Application — determines gravel base depth

Paver Material

Estimates only. Material costs vary by region. See Terms of Use.

Your Results

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Pavers Needed

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Sq Ft (w/ waste)

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Gravel Base (cu yd)

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Sand Layer (cu yd)

Estimated Material Cost Breakdown (2026)

Item	Est. Cost	Notes
Paver material	—	Material only, excludes delivery
Gravel base	—	Crushed stone, $40–$75/cu yd
Leveling sand (1 in)	—	$30–$50/cu yd
Total material	—	Add polymeric sand: ~$4–$8/bag

ⓘ Professional installation adds $7–$15/sq ft. Total installed cost: $12–$40/sq ft for concrete pavers. DIY saves 40–60% on labor.

* Costs are regional averages. Get 2–3 local quotes before purchasing.

Paver Base Depth by Application

Application	Gravel Base	Sand	Notes
Patio (foot traffic)	4 inches	1 inch	Compact gravel in 2” lifts. Grade 1% slope for drainage.
Walkway	4 inches	1 inch	6” base in freeze-thaw climates to prevent heaving.
Driveway (passenger car)	6 inches	1 inch	More compaction required. Use ¾” crushed stone base.
Driveway (truck / heavy)	8 inches	1 inch	Add geotextile fabric between subgrade and gravel.

How We Calculate This +

Formula

Sq Ft ÷ Paver Area = Pavers · Sq Ft × (Base Depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = Base Gravel (cu yd)

Key Assumptions

Polymeric sand: ~1 bag per 18 sq ft
Waste % factor added as selected (5–20%); pavers count includes waste

Price ranges based on national averages from HomeGuide, Angi, and LawnStarter. Updated May 2026.

How to Use the Paver Calculator

1 Enter your project dimensions — Measure the finished paved area in feet. For L-shapes, calculate each rectangle separately and add the paver counts.
2 Select paver size and pattern — The pattern affects how much cutting is needed. Running bond is easiest and least wasteful. Herringbone adds structural strength for driveways but requires 10% extra pavers for cuts.
3 Choose application and material — The application type sets the correct gravel base depth. The material selection determines the cost range for the pavers themselves.
4 Review the full material breakdown — The results show pavers, gravel base (cu yd), leveling sand (cu yd), and a complete material cost estimate so you can budget accurately before shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep should a paver base be? +

For patios and walkways with light foot traffic, use 4 inches of compacted gravel plus 1 inch of leveling sand. For car driveways, use 6 inches. For truck or heavy vehicle traffic, use 8 inches and consider adding a geotextile fabric layer between the subgrade and gravel. Always compact gravel in 2-inch lifts. In freeze-thaw climates, increase base depth by 2 inches to account for frost heave.

How many pavers are on a pallet? +

Pallet size depends on paver dimensions. A typical pallet of 12×12 concrete pavers covers 100–120 sq ft. A pallet of 4×8 brick pavers contains 450–500 pieces covering about 100 sq ft. Larger format pavers (16×16, 24×24) have fewer pieces per pallet. Always confirm coverage per pallet with your specific supplier — it can vary by 10–20% between brands.

What is the best paver pattern for a patio? +

Running bond is the easiest pattern for DIY and has the least cutting waste (~5%). Herringbone is the strongest structurally because the interlocking 45° or 90° angles distribute loads — it’s the preferred choice for driveways. Basketweave has a classic look with minimal cuts. Diagonal herringbone is visually dramatic but wastes 15% more material. For most first-time DIY patios, running bond or basketweave are the practical choices.

How much polymeric sand do I need? +

Polymeric sand fills joints and hardens when wet to resist weeds and ants. A 50 lb bag covers 15–20 sq ft at standard joint width (3/16” to 3/8”). For a 200 sq ft patio, budget for 10–14 bags. Buy 15% extra since you’ll typically do 2–3 passes to fully fill all joints. Apply when the paved surface is completely dry and activate with a fine mist spray, avoiding saturation.

Can I install pavers myself? +

Yes — DIY paver installation is achievable for most homeowners and saves 40–60% on labor vs. professional installation. The critical steps are proper excavation depth, gravel compaction, and accurate grading for drainage (slope 1” per 8 feet away from the house). Rent a plate compactor (~$100/day) and paver saw (~$150/day). Allow a weekend for 100–200 sq ft, up to a week for larger projects.

Paver Project Guide: What to Order and How to Budget

A paver project has three material components: the pavers themselves, the gravel base (the structural layer that prevents shifting and frost heave), and the leveling sand (the 1-inch bedding layer that allows precise height adjustment). Skimping on the base is the most common DIY mistake — an undersized base causes sinking, cracking, and weed growth within a few years.

Concrete vs. Brick vs. Natural Stone

Concrete pavers ($3–$8/sq ft) are the most popular choice: consistent sizing, huge variety of shapes and colors, and widely available. Brick pavers ($4–$8/sq ft) offer a classic look with excellent durability — fired clay brick actually gets stronger over time. Natural stone and flagstone ($15–$30/sq ft) is the premium option with unique character and no two pieces alike. Stone requires more skill to install due to irregular thickness.

Getting Accurate Quotes

Get at least 3 contractor quotes — paver labor varies by 30–60% between contractors in the same area.
Ask for a separate material and labor breakdown so you can compare apples to apples.
Check whether the quote includes base excavation and haul-away — this is often quoted separately.
Consider purchasing materials yourself from a landscape supplier and hiring only for installation.

Ready to plan? Use the paver calculator above ↑ to get your full material list before calling suppliers or contractors.

Gravel Calculator

Calculate base material in cu yd and tons

Compost Calculator

Fill raised beds and improve soil around pavers

Mulch Calculator

Cubic yards, bags & cost for surrounding garden beds