Piece count from pattern
Paver count is patio area divided by the area of one paver, then the pattern's waste on top. A 4×8-inch paver covers 0.22 sq ft, so a 12×12 patio takes about 660 pieces before waste. <strong>Herringbone and running-bond patterns cut more</strong> — bump the allowance to 15% instead of the standard 10%.
The price line matters as much as the count
Pavers price per square foot, per piece and per pallet, and the cheapest math is usually the pallet. Multiply your count by the per-paver price and compare with the pallet price for the same coverage — the calculator's count makes both quotes checkable, including the base sand and gravel underneath.