Patio & Paver Calculator
A 16×14 ft (224 sq ft) patio needs about 1,070 standard 4×8 in pavers, 2.8 cu yd of base gravel, and 3 bags of polymeric sand. Enter your size for an exact estimate.
Inputs
Estimate
- Patio area224 sq ft
- Pavers needed (with 5% waste)Includes 5% waste for cuts and breakage.1,059
- Base gravel neededCrushed gravel base. 1 cu yd = 1.4 tons.2.77cu yd
- Polymeric sand (1 in deep)50 lb bags. Each covers ~80 sq ft of joint fill.3bags
- Estimated paver cost — low$672
- Estimated paver cost — high$2,240
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Try Remodel AI freeHow to calculate pavers and patio materials
A paver patio has three material layers: pavers (the surface), polymeric sand (joint fill, 1 inch deep), and crushed gravel base (4 inches deep for patios, 6 inches for driveways). Each layer's quantity depends on the patio area.
Paver count = patio area in sq ft divided by single-paver area (length × width in inches, divided by 144). Add 5% for cuts and breakage. A standard 4×8 inch paver is 0.22 sq ft; a 16×16 inch paver is 1.78 sq ft.
Base gravel volume in cubic yards = patio area × base depth in feet, divided by 27 (since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet). Polymeric sand: 1 bag of 50 lb sand covers approximately 80 sq ft of joint fill.
Formulas used
- Paver count
(patio_area / paver_area) × 1.05Patio area in sq ft divided by individual paver size in sq ft (paver_length × paver_width / 144), plus 5% waste for cuts. - Base gravel volume
(patio_area × base_depth_feet) / 27Total cubic feet divided by 27 gives cubic yards. Standard base depth is 4 inches (0.33 ft) for patios. - Polymeric sand bags
patio_area / 80One 50 lb bag covers about 80 sq ft of joint area. Round up.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need for a 16×14 patio?+
A 16×14 ft patio = 224 sq ft. Using 4×8 in pavers (0.22 sq ft each), you need about 1,019 pavers + 5% waste = 1,070 pavers total. Plus 2.8 cubic yards of base gravel and 3 bags of polymeric sand.
How thick should base gravel be under pavers?+
4 inches for foot-traffic patios on stable soil. 6 inches if you live in a cold climate with freeze-thaw cycles or have clay soil. 8+ inches for driveways or vehicle traffic.
What's the difference between polymeric sand and regular sand?+
Polymeric sand contains polymer binders that harden when watered, locking pavers in place and preventing weeds. Regular sand washes out and lets weeds grow through. Polymeric is the standard for any new paver patio.
How much does a paver patio cost?+
Concrete pavers cost $3–$10 per square foot installed. Brick is $4–$15. Natural stone, porcelain, and flagstone are $10–$30 per square foot. A 200 sq ft DIY patio runs $600–$2,000 in materials; professionally installed it's $2,500–$6,000.
Do I need a base under pavers?+
Yes. Pavers laid directly on soil will shift, settle, and crack within a year. A 4-inch crushed gravel base + 1 inch sand setting bed is the minimum for any permanent patio.