Patio, walkway, and driveway budget estimator
Estimate how many pavers you need and the total cost for your patio, driveway, or walkway project.
Enter your project area, paver size, layout waste, base depths, and material pricing to estimate paver quantity, gravel, bedding sand, polymeric sand, labor, and your total installed budget in one view.
· Estimating tool only for planning and budget comparison
Calculator
Start with the area, confirm paver size, choose a layout pattern, then review quantities and total budget without leaving the page.
How it works
The cost estimate combines area, paver size, waste, base depths, and unit pricing to build a planning budget.
Start with the paved footprint in square feet or square meters.
Divide the project area by one paver face area, then add waste.
Gravel, bedding sand, polymeric sand, and installation often make up a large share of the full installed budget.
Pattern guide
Pattern choice changes waste and labor. Straight installs are usually the cheapest, while herringbone and diagonal layouts need more cuts and time.
Need more visual examples? Read the paver patterns guide.
Best for simple patios and clean rectangular layouts with the least cut waste.
Waste: about 10%Higher cut loss, but stronger interlock and better load distribution for driveways.
Waste: about 15%Creates a more decorative layout, but perimeter cuts and alignment take longer.
Waste: about 15%Base guide
Base depth affects both performance and budget. Driveways usually need more gravel than patios or walkways.
| Project Type | Paver Thickness Assumption | Bedding Sand | Gravel Base | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patio | 2.375 in (60mm) | 1 in | 4 in | Outdoor living and seating areas |
| Walkway | 2.375 in (60mm) | 1 in | 4 in | Foot traffic and garden paths |
| Driveway | 3.125 in (80mm) | 1 in | 6–8 in | Passenger vehicles and heavier use |
For a deeper layer-by-layer breakdown, see our driveway paver base guide.
FAQ
These answers stay visible in the DOM for accessibility and search visibility.
It depends on paver price, base depth, and labor. A typical installed paver project often lands around $15 to $30 per square foot once materials, base, sand, and labor are included.
It depends on paver size. Smaller 4 × 8 pavers need many more pieces per square foot than 12 × 12 or 12 × 18 slabs. This calculator estimates the full quantity after waste is added.
Straight layouts commonly start around 10% waste. Herringbone and diagonal layouts often use about 15% because they generate more cuts at the perimeter.
Patios and walkways often use about 4 inches of compacted gravel and 1 inch of bedding sand. Driveways usually need a deeper gravel base, often 6 to 8 inches or more depending on site conditions.
A common planning range is roughly $8 to $20 per square foot depending on region, layout complexity, excavation, edging, and finish quality.
Driveways cost more than patios because they usually require thicker pavers, a deeper gravel base, and more demanding installation standards. A double-car paver driveway can easily run into the several-thousand-dollar range.
Pavers often cost more upfront than plain concrete, but they are easier to repair, usually provide better visual variety, and can perform better in freeze-thaw conditions when installed correctly.
Yes. Switch to Metric at the top of the calculator and the page converts dimensions, area, and depth inputs automatically.
