Short answer
A 16x24 large entertainment patio requires 1,076 pavers sized 6x9 inches, including a 5% waste allowance. That patio covers 384 square feet and also needs roughly 4.74 cubic yards of base gravel, 32 cubic feet of setting sand, and 5 bags of polymeric sand.
How this calculator works
The paver calculator takes four measurements — patio length, patio width, paver width, and paver length — and converts everything to the same unit before dividing.
The core formula:
- Convert patio area to square inches:
16 ft × 24 ft × 144 = 55,296 sq in - Calculate the face area of one paver:
6 in × 9 in = 54 sq in - Divide:
55,296 ÷ 54 = 1,024 pavers(coverage with zero waste) - Apply 5% waste factor:
1,024 × 1.05 = 1,075.2, rounded up to 1,076
The 144 multiplier converts square feet to square inches so both measurements live in the same unit. The formula assumes pavers are laid joint-to-joint with a standard 3/16–3/8 inch sand joint. Joints don't consume a meaningful number of pavers, so no adjustment is needed unless you use unusually wide gaps.
Why 5% waste? Every patio has a perimeter where full pavers get cut to fit. On a 16x24 rectangle that perimeter is 80 linear feet. Each cut produces one usable piece and one scrap. The 5% factor assumes a simple rectangular layout with a grid or running-bond pattern. If you're doing a 45-degree herringbone or a curved border, budget 8–10% waste instead and adjust the calculator inputs upward.
Secondary outputs explained:
Base aggregate (4.74 cubic yards): Calculated as
(384 sq ft × 4/12 ft) ÷ 27. Four inches is the standard depth for a pedestrian patio on stable, well-drained soil. You're excavating roughly 4.74 yards of compacted crushed stone. Divide that by the coverage per ton your gravel supplier quotes to get a tonnage number. A typical rule of thumb: one ton of 3/4-inch crushed stone covers about 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, so verify with your supplier.Paver sand (32 cubic feet): Calculated as
384 sq ft × (1/12 ft). This is the coarse bedding sand screeded to exactly 1 inch before laying pavers. Use coarse washed concrete sand (ASTM C33), not fine masonry sand, which compresses unevenly under foot traffic.Polymeric sand (5 bags): Calculated as
ceil(384 ÷ 80). Each 50 lb bag covers approximately 80 square feet at a standard 3/8-inch joint width and 2.375-inch paver thickness. If your pavers are thicker or your joints wider, that coverage drops and you may need a sixth bag.
What the calculator does not account for:
- Slope and drainage grading (you may excavate deeper on one side)
- Bedding sand compaction — after pavers are set and compacted with a plate vibrator, the 1-inch sand bed compresses slightly; buy 10% extra sand
- Geotextile fabric between native soil and gravel (recommended but not quantified here)
Run the calculator with your actual paver dimensions if they differ from 6x9 inches. The formula scales linearly — doubling the paver face area cuts your count roughly in half.
Recommended materials
For a 16x24 patio, concrete pavers in the 6x9-inch range are a common choice because they lay quickly in running bond with minimal cuts on a rectangular footprint. You'll also need graded aggregate for the base, bedding sand, joint filler, and edge restraint to hold everything in place over time.
- Pavestone Holland 6x9 inch concrete paver — 2.375 inches thick, suitable for pedestrian load; sold per piece at most big-box stores so you can purchase to the exact count
- QUIKRETE all-purpose gravel (50 lb bag) — use for the 4-inch compacted base; also available in bulk by the yard from local stone yards, which is more economical at ~4.74 cubic yards
- SAKRETE polymeric sand (50 lb) — activates with water to lock joints against washout and weed intrusion; you need 5 bags for this project
- Pavestone EdgePro paver restraint (8 ft) — spiked plastic edging that holds border pavers from migrating; the 80 linear feet of perimeter on this patio requires ten 8-foot sections
FAQ
How many pavers do I need for a 16x24 patio? You need 1,076 pavers sized 6x9 inches, including a 5% waste factor. That covers 384 square feet with enough extra to handle cuts and breakage.
How much gravel base do I need for a 16x24 patio? A standard 4-inch compacted base requires approximately 4.74 cubic yards of crushed stone or gravel aggregate. Round up to 5 cubic yards when ordering to account for compaction losses.
How much setting sand do I need? A 1-inch sand setting bed over 384 square feet requires 32 cubic feet of coarse sand. That works out to roughly 1.2 cubic yards.
How many bags of polymeric sand do I need for joint filling? At 80 square feet per 50 lb bag, you need 5 bags of polymeric sand for a 384 sq ft patio. Buy an extra bag if your joint spacing is wider than 3/8 inch.
Why does the calculator add 5% to the paver count? The 5% waste factor covers pavers cut at edges and corners, chipped pieces during delivery, and breakage from a rubber mallet. On a large patio with a straight border, 5% is a realistic minimum — complex patterns or diagonal layouts can push waste to 10%.
Can I use a different paver size on a 16x24 patio? Yes. Change the paver dimensions in the calculator and the count updates automatically. Larger pavers like 12x12 reduce the total count but require more precise cuts at borders.
Do I need edging for a 16x24 patio? Plastic or aluminum paver restraint is strongly recommended. Without it, the outside rows migrate outward over time, widening joints and creating an uneven surface. For a 16x24 patio the perimeter is 80 linear feet.
How deep should the gravel base be? Four inches is the standard for a pedestrian patio with no vehicle traffic. If you park vehicles on the patio, increase the base to 6 inches and recalculate your gravel quantity accordingly.
Should I use regular sand or polymeric sand for joints? Polymeric sand activates with water to form a semi-rigid binder that resists washout, weeds, and ants. Regular bedding sand in the joints will wash out within a few seasons and require re-sanding.
How long does a 16x24 paver patio installation take? A two-person crew working at a normal pace should complete excavation, base prep, sand screeding, and paver placement in two to three full days. Polymeric sand and sealing add another half day after the pavers have settled.
What is the best pattern for a large entertainment patio? A running bond (offset rows) or herringbone pattern works well on large areas because they distribute load evenly and minimize lippage between pavers. Herringbone requires more cuts at the perimeter, so increase your waste factor to 8–10%.