How many pavers do I need for a 12x12 patio?
Check it with your own numbers
Open the Paver Calculator with these values
| Patio length | 12 ft |
| Patio width | 12 ft |
| Paver length | 8 in |
| Paver width | 4 in |
| Extra for waste | 10 % |
| Gravel base depth | 4 in |
| Bedding sand depth | 1 in |
| Pavers needed | 713 |
| Patio area | 144 ft² |
| Gravel base | 1.78 yd³ |
| Bedding sand | 0.44 yd³ |
Pavers
144 ft² × 144 in² per ft² ÷ 32 in² per paver = 648 pavers, before waste. Add 10% for edge cuts and breakage and you need 713 of the classic 4x8 holland stone.
Base and sand
A 4-inch compacted gravel base under a 144 ft² patio is 1.78 yd³. One inch of bedding sand is 0.44 yd³. These two layers do more for how long the patio lasts than the pavers do.
Base depth by use
- Walkway or patio on well-drained soil: 4 inches
- Patio on clay or in frost country: 6 inches
- Driveway: 8 to 12 inches
Set base depth in the calculator. Going from 4 to 6 inches adds about 0.9 yd³ of gravel on this patio.
Pattern affects waste
Running bond and basketweave waste the least. Herringbone at 45 degrees needs cuts along every edge; bump waste to 15%. If you pick a larger paver such as 6x9 or 12x12, change the paver size and the count drops a lot.
Edge restraint
A 12x12 patio has 48 ft of edge. Plastic or aluminum edge restraint usually comes in 6 to 8 ft lengths with 10-inch spikes every 12 inches. Without it, the outer rows creep and the joints open.
Joint sand
After compacting, sweep polymeric sand into the joints. For 4x8 pavers with narrow joints, one 50 lb bag covers about 50 to 75 ft², so plan on two or three bags.
Weight
A 4x8 paver weighs about 4.5 to 5 lb. 713 of them is well over 3,000 lb. Have them delivered on pallets and placed as close to the patio as you can.
For other sizes, use the full Paver Calculator or browse all answers.