Outdoor Project Planner

Patio Paver Planner

Plan pavers, base, sand, edging and joint sand in one printable shopping list.

Last reviewed:

Your project

What will use this surface?

Add each part of the patio or walkway as its own area. Set anything that stays unpaved to “Subtract this area”.

    Up to 20 areas per project.

    Pavers

    Edging

    Assumptions

    These defaults are starting points, not recommendations. Base depth depends on soil, drainage and the paver manufacturer’s instructions. Changed values are highlighted.

    Add prices for a cost estimate (optional)

    Type prices from your supplier if you want a cost estimate. Prices stay on this page and are never saved.

    Your project is kept in this browser only, never sent to us. Prices are not saved.

    Shopping list

    Base depth depends on soil, drainage and the paver manufacturer’s instructions.

    Enter your measurements to see your shopping list.

    Please note Estimate only. Actual quantities depend on the product, moisture, compaction, ground conditions and how you install. Check coverage and bag size on your supplier's label and confirm with your supplier before ordering. This tool does not provide engineering, structural or building-code advice. Before digging, contact your local utility-locating service (811 in the US).

    How the patio paver planner works

    A paver patio is a stack of layers: a compacted gravel base, a thin bed of sand, the pavers themselves, edging that holds them in place, and sand swept into the joints. Each layer is bought separately, often from different aisles or suppliers. This planner works out all of them from the same set of measurements, so one list covers the whole job.

    Measuring your patio or walkway

    1. Break the layout into simple shapes. A walkway is a long rectangle; a rounded end is a half circle; a corner cut is a triangle.
    2. Subtract what stays unpaved, such as a planting pocket or a utility cover, with “Subtract this area”.
    3. Check the edging length. It is filled in from the perimeter of the areas you add. Reduce it where the patio runs along a wall or the house and needs no edging.
    4. Choose your paver size and pattern. The pattern sets the default waste, which you can still change.

    Worked example

    A 12 × 16 ft patio (192 ft²) with 12 × 12 in pavers, 1/8 in joints, a straight pattern, a 4 in base and 1 in of bedding sand. Load it with the “Try the worked example” button.

    • Pavers: each paver plus its joint covers about 1.021 ft², so 192 ft² needs 188.06 pavers. With 5% waste that rounds up to 198 pavers.
    • Gravel base: 192 ft² × 4 in = 64 ft³ (2.37 yd³). With a 10% allowance that is 2.61 yd³, about 3.91 US tons at 3,000 lb/yd³, or 141 bags of 0.5 ft³.
    • Bedding sand: 192 ft² × 1 in = 16 ft³ (0.59 yd³). With 5% that is 0.62 yd³, about 0.87 US tons, or 34 bags.
    • Edging: the 56 ft perimeter needs 6 pieces of 10 ft and 56 spikes at 12 in spacing.
    • Joint sand: about 0.70 ft³. Add the label coverage to turn that into bags.

    Choosing a waste allowance

    Straight layouts such as running bond need the fewest cuts, so they start at 5%. Diagonal and herringbone patterns cut every edge paver at an angle and start at 10%. Curved edges and layouts with many cuts start at 15%. If you are new to cutting pavers, or the product varies in color between pallets, a little extra can save a second trip.

    Important assumptions

    • Pedestrian use only. Vehicle areas are not calculated.
    • Base and sand depths are the compacted depths you enter. Base depth depends on soil, drainage and the paver manufacturer’s instructions.
    • Allowances start at 10% for the base and 5% for the sand to cover compaction and spreading.
    • Densities start at 3,000 lb/yd³ for the base and 2,800 lb/yd³ for sand, and only affect the weight shown.
    • Joint sand fills the joints to 1/4 in below the paver surface.
    • Everything you buy in units (pavers, bags, edging pieces, spikes) is rounded up.

    What this tool does not calculate

    • Driveways or any area used by vehicles.
    • The base depth your soil needs, slope for drainage, or frost protection.
    • Excavation volume, landscape fabric, steps, walls or sealers.
    • Local codes, permits or the paver manufacturer’s installation requirements.

    Patio paver planner FAQ

    Can I use this planner for a driveway?

    No. It only covers patios, walkways and other areas used by people on foot. If you choose vehicle use, it stops and explains why: areas that carry cars need product-specific guidance from the paver manufacturer and a qualified professional.

    Why does the joint width change the paver count?

    Each paver takes up its own size plus one joint on two sides. With 12 × 12 in pavers and a 1/8 in joint, every paver covers 12.125 × 12.125 in, so slightly fewer pavers fill the same area. The waste allowance is then added for cuts and breakage.

    How is joint sand estimated?

    The planner works out how much of the surface is joints and multiplies that by the joint depth, taken as the paver thickness minus 1/4 in. Polymeric sand coverage varies a lot by product and joint size, so a bag count only appears when you enter the coverage printed on the label.

    Should I order the base and sand in bags or in bulk?

    Small patios and walkways are often done with bags, while larger ones are usually cheaper in bulk. The planner shows both: switch “List base and sand as” to choose which one goes on your shopping list.

    Related planners

    Paver quantities are estimates. Paver sizes, joint widths and bag coverage differ by product, so check the labels and confirm with your supplier. See how we calculate for the full method.