Paver patio cost calculator
Reviewed 2026-07-04 · Builds the complete materials list, not just paver count
Plan on $7 to $14 per square foot DIY for the full materials stack (base gravel, bedding sand, mid-range pavers, polymeric sand) and $10 to $25+ per square foot installed. A 20×20 patio: roughly $2,800 to $5,600 in materials. The base layers add 30 to 40 percent on top of the pavers themselves, and they're the part you can't skip.
Full project calculator
Cost covers materials only, at typical big-box and landscape-yard prices. Installed price usually lands at 2 to 3x materials. Excavation depth = base + 1″ sand + paver (2⅜″).
Cost by patio size
| Patio | Sq ft | DIY materials | Installed (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | 100 | $700–1,400 | $1,500–3,500 |
| 12×12 | 144 | $1,000–2,000 | $2,200–5,000 |
| 16×16 | 256 | $1,800–3,600 | $4,000–9,000 |
| 20×20 | 400 | $2,800–5,600 | $8,000–20,000 |
| 20×30 | 600 | $4,200–8,400 | $12,000–30,000 |
Frequently asked
How much does a 20x20 paver patio cost?
That is 400 square feet. DIY materials with a proper 6 inch base: roughly $2,800 to $5,600 depending on paver choice ($3 to $10+ per square foot for the pavers alone). Professionally installed: typically $8,000 to $20,000, since labor and excavation usually double or triple the materials number.
What goes under pavers?
From the bottom: compacted soil, 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed gravel base (deeper for driveways or soft soil), then 1 inch of concrete sand as the bedding layer, then the pavers, then polymeric sand swept into the joints. Skipping or thinning the base is why patios sink and shift.
How many pavers do I need per square foot?
Depends on the paver. A common 6x9 inch paver covers 0.375 sq ft, so about 2.7 per square foot. Buy 10 percent extra for cuts and breakage, more if the layout has curves.
Is a paver patio cheaper than concrete?
Usually not upfront. A poured slab runs $6 to $12 per square foot installed; pavers run $10 to $25+. Pavers win on repairability (lift and relay a section instead of demolishing a slab) and on looks. Concrete wins on price.
How many bags of polymeric sand for a patio?
One 50 lb bag covers roughly 50 to 75 sq ft for standard joints. A 400 sq ft patio needs about 6 to 8 bags. Wide-joint or tumbled pavers use more; check the bag coverage chart for your brand.
Related tools
Sources
- Base construction per ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) residential guidelines: compacted aggregate base + 1″ bedding sand.
- Paver coverage and polymeric sand coverage from manufacturer charts (Belgard, Unilock, Alliance Gator).
- Crushed stone at 1.4 tons per cubic yard; price ranges from landscape supplier rates, verify locally.