One of the most common questions we hear at our Wantirna yard is, “How many pavers do I actually need?” It’s a fair question. Order too few and you risk a second trip, delays and possible colour variation between batches. Order far too many and you’ve spent money on stock that sits behind the shed. With a tape measure, a calculator and a few simple rules, you can work out your quantities with confidence before your next project.

This guide walks you through calculating pavers, bedding sand and crushed rock base for a typical Melbourne patio, path or driveway.

Step 1: Measure Your Area Accurately

Everything starts with the total area in square metres (m²). For a simple rectangle or square, multiply the length by the width. A patio measuring 6 metres by 4 metres, for example, is 24 m².

Most backyards aren’t perfect rectangles, so break irregular spaces into smaller shapes:

• Rectangles: length × width
• Triangles: (base × height) ÷ 2
• Circles: 3.14 × radius × radius (handy for round fire pit areas)

Calculate each section separately, then add them together. Sketching the area on paper with measurements marked makes this much easier, and it’s a great thing to bring in when you visit us.

Step 2: Work Out How Many Pavers per Square Metre

The number of pavers you need depends on their size. Divide 1 by the area of a single paver (in metres) to get the quantity per square metre. Here are some common sizes:

• 230 × 115 mm (classic brick paver): about 38 per m²
• 200 × 100 mm: 50 per m²
• 300 × 300 mm: about 11 per m²
• 400 × 400 mm: 6.25 per m²
• 600 × 400 mm: about 4.2 per m²
• 600 × 600 mm: about 2.8 per m²

These figures assume tight joints. Many pavers are sold by the square metre anyway, which takes the guesswork out, but it’s still useful to know the count when planning cuts and patterns.

Step 3: Add a Wastage Allowance

No paving job uses every paver perfectly. Cuts around edges, drains, garden beds and curves all create waste, and the occasional paver may chip during handling. Add a buffer on top of your measured area:

• 5% for simple square or rectangular areas laid in a straight pattern
• 10% for areas with a few cuts, angles or a stretcher bond pattern
• 15% for herringbone, diagonal layouts or areas with lots of curves

Using our 24 m² patio example with a herringbone pattern, you’d order 24 × 1.15 = 27.6 m², so around 28 m². Keeping a few spare pavers after the job is also smart, as they make future repairs seamless.

Step 4: Calculate Your Crushed Rock Base

A solid, compacted base is what stops pavers from sinking and shifting, particularly on the reactive clay soils found across much of Melbourne’s east. The depth you need depends on how the area will be used:

• Paths and patios (foot traffic): around 75–100 mm of compacted crushed rock
• Driveways (vehicle traffic): around 150–200 mm of compacted crushed rock

To calculate volume in cubic metres (m³), multiply the area by the depth in metres. For our 24 m² patio at 100 mm deep: 24 × 0.1 = 2.4 m³. Because crushed rock compacts down, add roughly 20–25% extra, bringing the order to about 3 m³.

Step 5: Calculate Bedding Sand and Joint Fill

Pavers are laid on a screeded layer of bedding sand, usually about 30 mm thick once levelled. Using the same formula: 24 × 0.03 = 0.72 m³. Round up to around 0.8–1 m³ to allow for spillage and uneven ground.

You’ll also need fine jointing sand, or a polymeric sand, to sweep into the gaps once the pavers are down. As a rough guide, allow one 20 kg bag for every 4–6 m² of standard pavers, though smaller pavers with more joints will need more. All of these materials are available from our landscaping supplies range.

Don’t Forget Edging and Extras

Pavers need a firm edge to stop them spreading over time. Measure the perimeter of your area (add up all the outside edges) to work out how much edge restraint you need, whether that’s a concrete haunch, a row of bricks laid on edge, or sleepers. It’s also worth planning for geotextile fabric beneath the base on soft ground, drainage pits or strip drains near the house, and hire of a plate compactor and wet saw if you’re doing the work yourself.

A Quick Worked Example

For a 24 m² backyard patio in Croydon laid in herringbone using 230 × 115 mm pavers, you’d need roughly 28 m² of pavers (about 1,060 pavers), 3 m³ of crushed rock, 0.8–1 m³ of bedding sand, and four to six bags of jointing sand, plus edging for the 20 metre perimeter.

Get Expert Help With Your Quantities

These calculations will get you very close, but every site is a little different. If you’d like a second opinion, bring your measurements or a sketch into Fulton Bricks & Paving Supplies at 1 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna. Our friendly team can check your figures, recommend the right base for your soil and help you choose pavers to suit your home. Call us on 03 9887 0134 or contact us online and we’ll help you order the right amount the first time.