Enter the area and paver to see the count with extra for cuts.
Counts use the paver's face size; real pavers include spacer nubs, so check the manufacturer's pieces per sq ft. Joint sand coverage varies by joint width; check your product's label.
How the paver count works
The calculator divides your area by the face size of one paver, then adds extra for cuts based on the pattern. Running bond wastes the least, because rows end in simple straight cuts. A 90° herringbone needs more, and a 45° herringbone the most, because every edge row is cut on an angle. Manufacturers also publish a pieces-per-square-foot figure for each paver, which accounts for spacer nubs; use it to double-check the count before ordering.
Driveway or walkway: thickness matters
Pavers for areas that carry cars are usually 80 mm thick; 60 mm units suit walkways and landings. A thicker paver resists cracking and rocking under turning tires, but it doesn't replace the base. On a driveway, most of the work is underground: 10 to 14 inches of excavation, at least 6 inches of compacted Granular A (8 on poor soil) and about an inch of bedding (Country Reno, following ICPI guidance). The gravel base calculator sizes that layer.
Edging and joint sand
Every open edge needs an edge restraint so the outer rows can't creep. The calculator shows the perimeter as an upper limit; edges against the house or garage don't need it. Polymeric sand coverage depends on the joint width and paver depth, so the bag count is a range. Buy the high end and return what's left sealed.
What a paved driveway costs installed
| Paver type | Typical GTA range, installed |
|---|---|
| Standard pavers, simple layout | $25–$32 per sq ft |
| Premium pavers, border and pattern | $32–$45 per sq ft |
| Large-format slabs or permeable | $38–$55 per sq ft |
Before HST, checked October 2026; removal, excavation, base, pavers, edging and sand included. The driveway cost calculator prices your size, and interlocking driveways explains the build.
Common mistakes
- Ordering the exact count. Cuts, a cracked piece and a few spares for future repairs all come out of the pile.
- Mixing pallets late. Colour varies between production runs; blend pavers from several pallets as you lay.
- No fall. The surface needs at least a 2% slope away from the house, about ¼ inch per foot (Country Reno).
Questions about this tool
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
It depends on the paver size: about 4.5 classic 4 × 8 in bricks per sq ft, about 2.7 pavers of 6 × 9 in, and one 12 × 12 in slab. Add 5% for running bond, 10% for herringbone and 15% for a 45° herringbone to cover cuts and a few spares.
How much extra should I order for cuts?
About 5% for running bond, 10% for a 90° herringbone and 15% for a 45° herringbone, which is cut on an angle along every edge. Curves, steps and many corners add more. Keep a few leftover pavers from the same run, so a future repair matches the colour exactly.
How thick should driveway pavers be?
For areas that carry cars, 80 mm pavers are the usual recommendation; 60 mm pavers are common on walkways. A thicker paver doesn't replace a proper base, but it resists cracking and rocking under turning tires. The compacted gravel base underneath still does most of the work of keeping a driveway flat.
How many bags of polymeric sand do I need?
It depends on joint width and paver depth, so check your product's label. As a planning range, a bag covers roughly 50–100 sq ft; wide joints, tumbled pavers and thick units use more. Buy enough for the high end of the calculator's range and return unopened bags.
Sources
- Country Reno: interlock driveway installation in Toronto (base depths, ICPI guidance)
- Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI): tech specs