How many pavers for a 12×12 patio?

A 12 × 12 ft patio is 144 square feet. With common 12×12-inch pavers you need about 159 pavers including a 10% waste allowance. Smaller pavers take many more — here's the count by paver size.

The math

Divide the patio area by the area of one paver, then add ~10% for cuts and breakage:

  • Patio area = 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft
  • One 12×12-inch paver = 1 sq ft → 144 pavers, +10% = ~159

Pavers needed by size (144 sq ft + 10% waste)

Paver sizePer sq ftFor a 12×12 patio
12 × 12 in1.0~159
8 × 8 in2.25~357
6 × 9 in (brick)2.67~423
6 × 6 in4.0~634
4 × 8 in (brick)4.5~713

Different size or paver?

The paver calculator counts pavers for any patio and paver size, and the paver base calculator sizes the gravel and sand underneath.

Open the Paver Calculator

Don't forget the base

Pavers are only as good as what's under them. Plan a compacted crushed-stone base about 4–6 inches deep plus roughly 1 inch of bedding sand. For 144 sq ft that's around 2–2.5 cubic yards of base and about half a yard of sand — the paver base calculator gives exact amounts, and the paver patio guide walks through the build.

Frequently asked questions

How many pavers for a 12×12 patio?
About 159 of the 12×12-inch pavers (144 sq ft + 10% waste), or ~423 of the 6×9-inch brick pavers.
How many pavers per square foot?
One 12×12, ~2.67 of the 6×9 brick, four 6×6, or ~4.5 of the 4×8. Multiply by area and add ~10%.
How much base do I need?
About 4–6 in of compacted gravel plus ~1 in of sand — roughly 2–2.5 cu yd of base and ~0.5 cu yd of sand for 144 sq ft.

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