The quick answer: a 10×10 ft patio is 100 sq ft (9.29 m²). With standard 4×8 in brick pavers you need 450 pavers, or about 495 pavers once you add 10% for cuts and breakage. Larger 12×12 in slabs need just 110 including waste.
The exact number depends on the paver size and the laying pattern. If your patio is a different size or shape, the free paver calculator does the maths for you, including waste.
Pavers for a 10×10 patio at a glance
| Paver size | Per sq ft | Per m² | 10×10 patio (no waste) | With 10% waste |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 8 in (approx. 100 x 200 mm) | 4.5 | 48.4 | 450 | 495 |
| 6 x 6 in (approx. 150 x 150 mm) | 4 | 43.1 | 400 | 440 |
| 6 x 9 in (approx. 150 x 225 mm) | 2.67 | 28.7 | 267 | 294 |
| 12 x 12 in (approx. 300 x 300 mm) | 1 | 10.8 | 100 | 110 |
| 16 x 16 in (approx. 400 x 400 mm) | 0.56 | 6.05 | 57 | 62 |
| 24 x 24 in (approx. 600 x 600 mm) | 0.25 | 2.69 | 25 | 28 |
Metric sizes are approximate equivalents. If you buy true metric pavers, work from their actual size: for example, 100 x 200 mm pavers are exactly 50 per m², so a 9.29 m² patio needs 465 before waste.
How to work it out
- Measure the patio area: length x width. 10 ft x 10 ft = 100 sq ft (3.05 m x 3.05 m = 9.29 m²).
- Work out the area of one paver in the same units. A 4×8 in paver is 32 sq in, and 32 ÷ 144 = 0.222 sq ft.
- Divide the patio area by the paver area: 100 ÷ 0.222 = 450 pavers.
- Add waste: 10% for straight patterns such as running bond or stack bond, 15% for herringbone, diagonal layouts or curved edges.
- Round up to a whole paver, then up again to whole pallets or packs if that is how they are sold.
Worked example: 10×10 herringbone patio
You want a 10×10 ft patio in classic 4×8 in pavers laid in a 45° herringbone pattern. The area is 100 sq ft, so the base count is 100 x 4.5 = 450 pavers. Herringbone needs more cuts along every edge, so use 15% waste: 450 x 1.15 = 517.5, which rounds up to 518 pavers.
Many suppliers sell pavers by the square foot or by the pallet rather than one by one. In that case order 115 sq ft of coverage (about 10.7 m²) and keep any leftovers for future repairs, since colours can vary between production batches.
Base, sand and edging for a 10×10 patio
Pavers are only as good as what sits underneath them. For a patio with foot traffic, a typical build-up is:
- Gravel base, 4 in (100 mm) compacted: 100 sq ft x 0.333 ft = 33.3 cu ft, or about 1.23 cubic yards (0.93 m³). Crushed stone weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard, so that is about 1.7 US tons (1.6 tonnes). Add 10–15% because the stone compacts, so order around 1.4 cubic yards.
- Bedding sand, 1 in (25 mm): 100 x 0.083 ft = 8.33 cu ft, or about 0.31 cubic yards (0.23 m³). At a typical 0.5 cu ft per 50 lb bag, that is 17 bags.
- Edge restraint: the perimeter is 40 ft (12.2 m). Subtract any side that runs against the house or an existing wall.
- Jointing sand: a 10×10 patio often takes one to three bags of polymeric sand, depending on joint width and paver shape. Check the coverage on the bag.
Driveways need a deeper base, often 8–12 in (200–300 mm). Use the gravel calculator to size the base for any depth.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting waste. Ordering exactly 450 pavers almost always leaves you a few short after cutting the edges.
- Mixing up nominal and actual sizes. A paver sold as 4×8 may be slightly smaller to allow for joints. Small differences add up over 100 sq ft, so use the size on the spec sheet.
- Skipping the base. Laying pavers straight on soil leads to sinking and weeds within a season or two.
- Buying from different batches. Order everything at once so the colour matches across the whole patio.
- Ignoring slope. Build in a fall of about 1/8 in per foot (around 1%) away from the house so water drains off.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers are on a pallet?
It varies widely by size and manufacturer. A pallet of 4×8 in pavers often covers roughly 100–150 sq ft, so a 10×10 patio may need one pallet, but check the coverage your supplier lists before ordering.
How much does waste really add?
For a simple square patio in running bond, 5–10% is usually enough. Herringbone, diagonal layouts, curves or lots of corners can push it to 15%.
How many 12×12 pavers for a 10×10 patio?
A 12×12 in paver covers exactly 1 sq ft, so you need 100 pavers, or 110 with 10% waste.
Do I need to account for the joints?
Joints are usually only 1/16–1/8 in (2–3 mm) wide, so they barely change the count. Most installers ignore them and let the waste allowance cover the difference.
Related: the DIY Project Budget & Materials Planner turns your measurements into quantities, costs and a shopping list.
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