2GreenThe short answer: a standard 200 by 100 mm paving brick needs 50 per square metre. The exact number depends entirely on the paver's size, and you work it out by dividing 1 by the area of one paver in square metres. The chart below gives the count for every common South African paver size, and our paving calculator does the full sum, including wastage and bedding sand, in seconds.
Quick answer by size
200 x 100 mm = 50 per m². 220 x 110 mm = 41 per m². 200 x 200 mm = 25 per m². 300 x 300 mm = 11 per m². 400 x 400 mm = about 6 per m².
How many pavers per square metre? (size chart)
Pavers are sold by the square metre but delivered as a count, so the number per square metre is the figure you actually order against. Here it is for the paver sizes you find at South African suppliers:
| Paver size | Pavers per m² | Incl. 5% wastage |
|---|---|---|
| 200 × 100 mm (brick paver) | 50 | 53 |
| 220 × 110 mm (clay paver) | 41 | 43 |
| 230 × 110 mm (standard brick, laid flat) | 40 | 42 |
| 200 × 150 mm | 33 | 35 |
| 100 × 100 mm (cobble) | 100 | 105 |
| 200 × 200 mm | 25 | 27 |
| 300 × 300 mm (slab) | 11 | 12 |
| 400 × 400 mm (slab) | 6.25 | 7 |
| 500 × 500 mm (slab) | 4 | 5 |
The formula: how to calculate pavers per square metre
There is one simple sum behind the whole chart. Convert the paver's length and width to metres, multiply them to get the area of a single paver, then divide 1 by that number.
The formula
Pavers per m² = 1 ÷ (length in m × width in m). For a 200 x 100 mm paver: 1 ÷ (0.2 × 0.1) = 1 ÷ 0.02 = 50 pavers per square metre.
Worked examples
Once you know the pavers per square metre, multiply by your total area in square metres:
| Area to pave | Paver size | Pavers needed (with 5% wastage) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 m² patio | 200 × 100 mm | 50 × 20 = 1,000 (about 1,050) |
| 30 m² driveway | 220 × 110 mm | 41 × 30 = 1,230 (about 1,292) |
| 15 m² garden path | 400 × 400 mm | 6.25 × 15 = 94 (about 99) |
Not sure of your area? Measure the length and width in metres and multiply them, and break odd shapes into rectangles and add them together.
Bricks, pavers, blocks: the same question
People search for paving bricks, pavers and paving blocks, and for this calculation they are the same thing. The number per square metre depends only on the length and width of the unit, not what it is called. A paving brick and a paver of the same size need exactly the same count per square metre.
Always add for wastage and cuts
Order a little more than the bare chart figure. Straight, rectangular areas need about 5 percent extra for breakages, while curves, circles and diagonal or herringbone patterns need 10 percent or more because of all the cutting. Keep a few spares from the same batch too, since paving colours shift between production runs and a later repair with fresh stock will stand out.
Don't forget the base and bedding
The pavers are only part of the order. They sit on a bed of sand, usually about 50 mm deep, which works out to roughly 0.05 m³ of bedding sand per square metre. A driveway also needs a compacted sub-base underneath to carry a vehicle, plus jointing sand and edge restraints. Our paving and hard landscaping service covers what goes under a paved surface that lasts.
Let the calculator do the maths
The chart is handy for a quick answer, but for a real order our free paving calculator does the whole sum: enter your area or dimensions, choose the paver size, set the wastage, and it returns the exact number of pavers plus the bedding sand you need. If you would rather we measured up and quoted the supply and installation, our paving team works across Paarl, Stellenbosch and the Winelands. Planning a budget? See our guide to what paving costs per square metre.
Frequently asked questions
How many paving bricks are in a square metre?＋
A standard 200 by 100 mm paving brick needs 50 per square metre. Larger pavers need fewer: a 220 by 110 mm clay paver is about 41 per m², and a 400 by 400 mm slab is about 6 per m². It depends entirely on the paver size.
How many pavers per square metre?＋
Divide 1 by the paver's area in square metres. For common sizes that gives 200 x 100 mm = 50, 200 x 200 mm = 25, 300 x 300 mm = 11 and 400 x 400 mm = about 6.25 pavers per square metre.
How many 200 x 100 pavers in a square metre?＋
Fifty. A 200 by 100 mm paver covers 0.02 m², and 1 ÷ 0.02 = 50 pavers per square metre. Add about 5 percent for cuts and breakages when you order.
How many 400 x 400 pavers in a square metre?＋
About 6.25. A 400 by 400 mm slab covers 0.16 m², so 1 ÷ 0.16 = 6.25 per square metre. Round up and add wastage when ordering.
How do I calculate how many pavers I need?＋
Work out your area in square metres (length times width), multiply by the pavers per square metre for your chosen size, then add 5 to 10 percent for wastage. Our free paving calculator does all of this for you.
How many bricks per m² for paving?＋
For a standard 200 by 100 mm paving brick, 50 per square metre. Larger blocks need fewer and smaller cobbles need more, so use the size chart above for your exact unit.
How much does paving cost per square metre in South Africa?＋
That is a separate question from quantity, and it depends on the paver you choose and the groundwork involved. As a rough 2026 guide, supplied and laid paving runs from around R400 to R900 per square metre. Ask us for a quote based on your project.