How this paver calculator works
Three separate calculations in one tool:
- Paver count: total area ÷ paver area, plus 5% waste for cuts and breakages. More for complex patterns.
- Road base (aggregate): area × depth × density. 100 mm for paths and patios, 150 mm for driveways.
- Bedding sand: area × 30 mm × density of paving sand (1.6 t/m³).
AU industry rule of thumb: 1 m² of paving needs ~0.17 tonnes of road base and ~0.05 tonnes of bedding sand. This calculator uses those factors with your specific area.
Standard AU paver sizes
Common sizes you'll see at Bunnings, Adbri Masonry or any local landscape yard:
- 230 × 115 mm — classic brick paver, traditional look, lots of cutting on straight paths.
- 300 × 300 mm — the suburban Aussie default. Affordable, easy to lay, hides small surface imperfections.
- 400 × 400 mm — larger format, fewer joints, more contemporary look.
- 500 × 500 mm, 600 × 600 mm — slab formats, feel-good modern. Heavier to lift, more cutting waste on curves.
- 600 × 300 mm — plank pavers, popular for driveways and long paths. Laid in staggered pattern.
The three-layer build-up (very important)
Do not lay pavers on dirt. Every properly-installed paved surface has three layers:
- Road base: compacted aggregate (crusher dust / DGB / road base). 100 mm for patios, 150 mm for driveways. This is the structural layer.
- Bedding sand: 30 mm of washed paving sand (not brickies sand, not play sand). This layer lets you level individual pavers.
- Pavers with polymeric sand or fine sand swept into the joints.
Skip the road base and you get a patio that sinks, waves and heaves within 18 months. The base is 60-70% of the total work for a reason.
Wastage margins
We use 5% for standard rectangular areas with stretcher bond. If you're doing any of these, add more:
- Herringbone / complex patterns: 10-15%
- Circular or curved edges: 15-20%
- Large format pavers (600×600+) on a small area: 10%
For jobs over 100 m² you can drop to 2-3% waste — the law of averages smooths out the cutting losses.