How many pavers do I need for a 10x10 patio?

A 10×10 patio is 100 sq ft. With standard 4×8-inch pavers (0.222 sq ft each), you need about 450 pavers. Add 10% for cuts: order 500 pavers.

How deep should the base be for a paver patio?

4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone base, plus 1 inch of bedding sand. Total excavation depth: 5 to 7 inches below finished paver surface.

Do pavers need edge restraints?

Yes. Without edge restraints, the patio edges spread outward over time and joints widen. Plastic snap-in edge restraint is the standard method — it's inexpensive and fast to install.

What is polymeric sand and do I need it?

Polymeric sand is jointing sand with a binder that hardens when wet, locking pavers together and resisting ant intrusion and washout. It costs more than plain sand but lasts much longer — worth it for any patio.

Paver Patio Calculator: How Many Pavers Do I Need?

Patio area divided by paver coverage gets you close. The base material and edge restraints are what most DIYers forget to budget.

Calculate Paver Count

Measure your patio area in square feet (length × width). Divide by the coverage area of one paver, including joint spacing. A 4×8-inch paver covers 0.222 square feet; a 6×6-inch paver covers 0.25 square feet.

For a 20×16-foot patio (320 sq ft) with 4×8 pavers: 320 / 0.222 = 1,441 pavers. Add 5 to 10% for cuts and waste: order 1,550 to 1,600 pavers.

Pattern affects waste. Running bond (bricks aligned) wastes 5%. Herringbone at 45 degrees wastes 10 to 15% because of diagonal cuts along the edges. Our paver calculator accounts for pattern when you select it.

Base Material: The Most Important Part

A properly installed paver patio rests on 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone base and 1 inch of bedding sand. Skipping or skimping on base is the number one cause of paver failures — heaving, sinking, and cracking.

Crushed stone base for a 320-square-foot patio at 4 inches deep: 320 × (4/12) = 106.7 cubic feet = about 4 cubic yards of gravel.

Bedding sand at 1 inch: 320 × (1/12) = 26.7 cubic feet = about 1 cubic yard. You can also calculate in tons — crushed stone weighs about 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so you'd order about 6 tons.

Free tool: Paver Calculator →

Edge Restraints and Jointing Sand

Plastic edge restraints lock the perimeter pavers in place and prevent the patio from spreading over time. Measure your perimeter and order edge restraint in linear feet plus 10%.

For a 20×16 patio: (20+20+16+16) = 72 linear feet of edge restraint. Plastic edging comes in 8-foot sections — order 10 sections.

Jointing sand (polymeric sand or regular mason's sand) fills the joints between pavers. One 50-pound bag covers roughly 40 to 75 square feet depending on joint width. For 320 sq ft: plan on 5 to 8 bags.

Common Paver Sizes and Patterns

Common paver sizes: 4×8 inches (standard brick), 6×6, 6×9, 12×12, and 16×16 inches. Larger pavers (12×12 and up) lay faster and look more modern. Smaller pavers (4×8) allow more intricate patterns.

Popular patterns: running bond (offset rows), herringbone (45° or 90°), basketweave, and ashlar (random rectangular). Herringbone is the strongest pattern for driveways because forces distribute in multiple directions.

Thickness matters for load. Standard 2.375-inch pavers work for patios and walkways. For driveways, use 3.125-inch (80mm) pavers rated for vehicle traffic.

Paver Patio Cost

Concrete pavers cost $0.50 to $2.00 per paver or $3 to $6 per square foot for material. Brick pavers run $4 to $8 per square foot. Natural stone (bluestone, flagstone) runs $10 to $30 per square foot.

Professional installation adds $8 to $20 per square foot for labor, excavation, and base work. A 320-square-foot concrete paver patio costs $3,500 to $8,000 installed.

DIY paver installation is one of the most popular home improvement projects — labor-intensive but straightforward. The key is taking time to get the base level. Rent a plate compactor for the day — hand tamping is not sufficient for a stable base.

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FAQ

How many pavers do I need for a 10x10 patio?: A 10×10 patio is 100 sq ft. With standard 4×8-inch pavers (0.222 sq ft each), you need about 450 pavers. Add 10% for cuts: order 500 pavers.
How deep should the base be for a paver patio?: 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone base, plus 1 inch of bedding sand. Total excavation depth: 5 to 7 inches below finished paver surface.
Do pavers need edge restraints?: Yes. Without edge restraints, the patio edges spread outward over time and joints widen. Plastic snap-in edge restraint is the standard method — it's inexpensive and fast to install.
What is polymeric sand and do I need it?: Polymeric sand is jointing sand with a binder that hardens when wet, locking pavers together and resisting ant intrusion and washout. It costs more than plain sand but lasts much longer — worth it for any patio.