How many paving slabs do I need?
Enter the area you want to pave and your slab size. The calculator gives you the number of paving slabs to buy — including a waste allowance for cuts and breakage — instantly, no sign-up.
Area: 12.00 m² · 4.94 slabs per m²
Count = area ÷ nominal paver size, rounded up, with waste added. Joints are not included in paver size — order slightly more if your joint is wider than 10 mm.
Paving slabs per m² — common slab sizes
Slabs per m² = 1 ÷ slab area. Add 10% for a straight lay; 15% for herringbone or diagonal.
| Slab size | Area (m²) | Slabs per m² |
|---|---|---|
| 300 × 300 mm | 0.0900 | 11.1 |
| 400 × 400 mm | 0.1600 | 6.3 |
| 450 × 450 mm | 0.2025 | 4.9 |
| 600 × 300 mm | 0.1800 | 5.6 |
| 600 × 600 mm | 0.3600 | 2.8 |
The paver formula
Count = ⌈ area (m²) ÷ slab area (m²) × (1 + waste%) ⌉. Multiply before rounding up — you cannot buy half a slab.
Want the full working? Read the paving guide →
Common questions
- How do I calculate how many pavers I need?
- Divide the total area by the area of one paver, multiply by (1 + waste fraction), then round up. For example: a 10 × 10 ft patio (100 ft²) covered with 4 × 8 inch pavers (0.2222 ft² each) needs 100 ÷ 0.2222 = 450 pavers at net, × 1.10 = 495, rounded up = 495 with 10% waste. The calculator above does this arithmetic automatically.
- How many pavers do I need for a 10×10 patio?
- It depends on the paver size. For a 100 ft² patio: 4" × 8" brick pavers (4.5 per ft²) → about 495 pavers with 10% waste; 6" × 6" pavers (4 per ft²) → about 440; 12" × 12" pavers (1 per ft²) → about 110. Enter your exact patio size and paver size into the calculator for a precise count.
- How many pavers are in a square foot?
- It depends on the paver size. Standard 4" × 8" brick pavers cover 0.222 ft² each, giving 4.5 pavers per square foot. A 6" × 6" paver covers 0.25 ft², so 4 pavers per square foot. A 12" × 12" paver covers exactly 1 ft². For metric: a 450 × 450 mm slab covers 0.2025 m² and gives about 4.9 slabs per m².
- How many paving slabs do I need per square metre?
- For 450 × 450 mm slabs: 4.94 slabs per m². For 600 × 600 mm slabs: 2.78 per m². For 600 × 300 mm slabs: 5.56 per m². For 300 × 300 mm slabs: 11.1 per m². Multiply your area in m² by the slabs-per-m² figure, round up to the next whole number, then add a 10% waste allowance.
- How much waste should I add when ordering pavers?
- Add 10% for a standard straight-lay pattern. Add 15% for a diagonal or herringbone pattern, and 15–20% for irregular shapes or curves — more cuts means more waste. Order the extra upfront: sourcing matching pavers later can be difficult if the batch has sold out.
Reference & education only. Not professional, engineering, or code-compliance advice. Estimates are based on published model codes; local amendments and your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) govern. Always verify against the current adopted code and a licensed professional before doing work.
Last reviewed 2026-07.