Pavers estimate calculator
Enter the paved area, paver size, waste and base and bedding depths. The calculator returns pavers per square foot and to order, base aggregate in cubic yards and tons, bedding sand and edge restraint.
- Pavers per square foot
- Base aggregate
- Bedding sand
- Edge restraint
1 · Area
2 · Paver
3 · Base & bedding
Paver count uses the nominal face size. Base depth, sand depth, density and waste are editable assumptions; the pavement design and the paver manufacturer's installation guide govern.
Live formula
Save your results
Copy these results, then add your approved sample files in the trial brief.
Unit size sets the count
Pavers per square foot follow from the unit's face dimensions: 144 ÷ (length × width in inches). A 4 × 8 in paver comes to 4.5 per square foot. Waste covers cuts at edges, curves and patterns. Base aggregate and bedding sand are volumes from depth × area. Edge restraint runs along every edge not contained by a curb or building.
- Paver size. Nominal face dimensions from the product. Multi-size patterns need a weighted mix from the manufacturer.
- Waste. Higher for herringbone, curves and small irregular areas.
- Base. Depth from the detail, or from ICPI guidance (now part of CMHA) for the traffic type.
- Bedding sand. Typically about 1 in, screeded.
- Edge restraint. LF along unrestrained edges.
Pavers and aggregates
| Paver size | Pavers per sq ft |
|---|---|
| 4 × 8 in | 4.50 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4.00 |
| 6 × 9 in | 2.67 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1.00 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 |
Excavation to joint sand
A paver bid includes excavation, subgrade compaction, geotextile if specified, base placement and compaction in lifts, bedding sand, paver installation and cutting, edge restraint, joint sand and compaction. Price each step; production varies with access and pattern.
RenderDraw's AI takeoff proposes hardscape areas and edge lengths from site and landscape plans, with the sheet attached to each value.
Site quantities from the civil set, with the sheet attached.
RenderDraw's AI takeoff reads site and civil plans, proposes areas, lengths and counts, keeps each tied to its source, and sends uncertain items to estimator review.
- Paving areas and curb lengths. Proposed from the site plan.
- Utility runs and structures. Counted and measured with sources.
- Addenda through the same review. Send the changed sheets back through takeoff and estimator review.
- Your production and pricing. Applied only to reviewed rows.
Send one civil set
Files stay private while RenderDraw assesses the request. No obligation.
RenderDraw does not publish accuracy percentages or time-saved claims. Test it on your own plan set.
Questions estimators ask.
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
144 divided by the paver face area in square inches. 4 × 8 in pavers are 4.5 per square foot.
How do I calculate paver base?
Area × base depth in inches ÷ 12 ÷ 27 gives cubic yards. 600 sq ft at 6 in is about 11.1 cu yd.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
About 1 in of bedding sand is common: 600 sq ft needs about 1.85 cu yd.
How much waste for pavers?
It depends on the pattern and the edges. Straight patterns in rectangular areas need least; herringbone and curves need more.
Can RenderDraw take off hardscape?
RenderDraw's AI takeoff proposes areas and lengths from site plans with sources and flags. Request a free sample takeoff.
Hardscape areas from the site plan.
Send a landscape or site set. RenderDraw proposes paver areas and edge lengths with their sheets and flags patterns it could not match.
- Upload the plans, specs and schedules, plus an addendum if you have one.
- RenderDraw reviews the set and the scope you want tested.
- We follow up with extracted quantities, flagged items and next steps.