Paver Walkway Calculator — Pavers, Sand & Base
Estimate pavers, bedding sand, and base aggregate for any garden walkway. Handles narrow widths from 3 to 6 ft and long runs with an adjustable waste factor.
Enter Dimensions
Polymeric sand joints: 1/4 in typical
Use 10% for simple shapes, 15% for cuts
Results
Pavers Needed
264pavers
Total Area
120sq ft
Sand Base (50 lb bags)
12bags
1-inch bedding layer
Gravel Base
1.5tons
4-inch compacted gravel base
Editorial Standards
Each calculator is reviewed for formula accuracy, unit consistency, and alignment with current U.S. building practices before publication. We verify outputs against published engineering references and real-world project data. Learn more about our methodology.
A paver walkway is the entry-level paver project — narrow, often curved, and forgiving of small calculation errors. It's also the project most likely to be installed DIY rather than contractor-led because the materials are light and the base requirements modest.
This calculator estimates pavers, bedding sand, and base aggregate for any straight or curving garden walkway. Output rounds up to whole pavers and whole bags / cubic yards.
How to Estimate a Paver Walkway
Paver count = (Walkway Length × Width) ÷ paver face area × (1 + waste %). Base aggregate (cu yd) = (Length × Width × 4 ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Bedding sand (cu yd) = (Length × Width × 1 ÷ 12) ÷ 27.
Walkway Sizing Reference
- 3 ft wide (single-file): ≈ 4 pavers per linear foot using 6″ × 9″ Holland pavers.
- 4 ft wide (side-by-side): ≈ 5.3 pavers per linear foot.
- 5 ft wide (primary entry): ≈ 6.7 pavers per linear foot.
- Curved walkways: add 5–8% extra waste for edge cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide should a garden walkway be?
3 ft is the comfortable minimum for one person; 4 ft accommodates two people side-by-side; 5 ft is generous and recommended for primary entry walkways. Narrower paths feel cramped — and increase install time per linear foot of usable path.
How many pavers per linear foot of walkway?
Depends on paver and path width. A 4 ft wide walkway using 6″ × 9″ pavers (0.375 sq ft each) needs 4 × 12 ÷ 9 = 5.33 pavers per linear foot, with running-bond layout.
Can I curve a paver walkway?
Yes — modular paver shapes (Holland, cobblestone, rectangle) curve well with small angular cuts at the edges. Smooth curves work better than tight corners; plan curves with a minimum 4 ft radius for natural-looking flow.
Do paver walkways need an edge restraint?
Yes — without edge restraint, perimeter pavers shift outward over a few seasons and the path widens unevenly. Use molded plastic edging staked every 12 inches, or a concrete curb for high-traffic installations.
How thick should the base be for a walkway?
4 inches of compacted ¾-inch crusher run is standard for foot-traffic-only walkways. Add 1–2 inches in clay or wet soil zones, and 1 inch of bedding sand on top before the pavers.
Looking for the general calculator?
Calculate how many pavers you need for patios, walkways, and driveways. Includes bedding sand and gravel base estimates for any paver size and project area.
Open the Paver Calculator: Pavers, Sand & Base →