How much paver edging do I need?

The perimeter of the paved area, less any edge that runs against the house, a step, a curb or a concrete slab. A 12 x 16 ft patio along the house on one 16 ft side needs 2 x (12 + 16) - 16 = 40 ft of edging.

How far apart should paver edging spikes be?

Follow the edging maker's instructions. Many plastic restraints call for a spike about every 12 in on straight runs and closer on curves, so 40 ft of edging needs around 40 spikes or more.

Do pavers need edge restraint?

Yes, on every edge that isn't held by something solid. Without it the outer pavers drift outward, joints open and the pattern loosens from the outside in.

Does edge restraint go on the sand or the base?

On the compacted base. That's why the base should run at least 6 in past the edge of the pavers. Spikes driven through sand don't hold.

What is the best edging for a paver driveway?

A concrete edge, a curb, or a restraint made for vehicle loads and spiked closely. Driveway edges take sideways pressure from turning tires.

Paver Edge Restraint Calculator: Edging Feet and Spikes

Edge restraint holds the outer pavers in place so the whole surface stays locked together. Enter your patio, subtract the edges that run along the house or a slab, and the slip gives the linear feet, the number of pieces and the spikes.

How much edge restraint you need

edging ft = perimeter − edges against the house, steps, curbs or slabs
pieces = edging ft ÷ piece length (rounded up)
spikes ≈ edging ft ÷ spike spacing in ft

Rectangle: perimeter = 2 × (length + width).
Circle: perimeter = 3.1416 × diameter. A 12 ft round patio has about 38 ft of edge.
L-shape: the perimeter is the same as the outside rectangle: 2 × (overall length + overall width).
Several sections: the calculator adds each section’s perimeter, so put any shared edges in the no-restraint box twice.

Example: a 12 × 16 ft patio with one 16 ft side along the house. Perimeter 2 × (12 + 16) = 56 ft, minus 16 ft = 40 ft of edge restraint. In 8 ft pieces that is 5 pieces, and with a spike every 12 in, about 40 spikes.

Types of paver edging

Edge type	How it works	Where it suits
Plastic edge restraint	L-shaped strip on the base, spiked down	Patios and walks; flexible versions bend to curves
Aluminum or steel edging	Metal strip or angle, staked	Patios, walks, crisp modern lines
Concrete edge (haunch)	Concrete troweled against the outer pavers on the base	Patios, walks and driveways; any shape
Precast concrete curb	Curb units set in concrete or on base	Driveways, high-traffic edges
Soldier course in concrete	Border pavers set in a concrete bed	Driveways and patios wanting a strong, visible border

Plastic restraint is the most common choice for DIY patios. On curves, use a flexible version or notch the back of a rigid one so it bends without kinking.

Installing plastic edge restraint

Run the base past the edge. The base should extend at least 6 in beyond the pavers so the restraint and its spikes sit in compacted stone. The paver base calculator builds that in.
Lay the pavers first, or at least the border. Then set the restraint tight against the outer pavers.
Spike it into the base at the spacing on the package, usually closer on curves and at the end of each piece.
Backfill the outside with soil and sod so the restraint is hidden.

Spikes driven into bedding sand or loose soil don’t hold. The sand should stop at the edge of the pavers, not run under the restraint.

Concrete edge: how much concrete

A troweled concrete edge (sometimes called a haunch) is a wedge of concrete placed on the base against the outer pavers, cut back below the paver surface so soil and grass can cover it. As a rough guide, a wedge about 6 in wide at the bottom and 4 in high takes about 0.083 cu ft per foot of edge.

concrete cu ft ≈ edge ft × 0.5 × 0.5 ft × 0.33 ft = edge ft × 0.083

For 40 ft of edge that is about 3.3 cu ft. Bagged concrete yields about 0.6 cu ft per 80 lb bag, so about 6 bags. Check the yield on the bag you buy.

Edge restraint for walkways and driveways

Walkways have two long edges for every short end, so they use far more edging per square foot than patios. A 4 × 25 ft walk with both ends against hard edges needs 50 ft. See the paver walkway calculator.
Driveways take sideways loads from turning tires. Use a concrete edge, a curb or a restraint made for vehicles, spiked closely. See the paver driveway calculator.
Slopes: pavers creep downhill, so the low edge of any sloped patio or walk needs a strong restraint. See the slope calculator.

Paver spikes

Spikes are typically galvanized steel and long enough to reach well into the base, often 8 to 12 in. Buy them with the restraint and check the spacing the restraint maker asks for. On a long run, the slip’s spike count assumes one spike per foot; add more for curves and for each joint between pieces.

Edging piece lengths vary by product. The slip assumes 8 ft pieces only as a guide to the count; divide the linear feet by the length of the product you're buying.

Questions people ask

How much paver edging do I need?: The perimeter of the paved area, less any edge that runs against the house, a step, a curb or a concrete slab. A 12 x 16 ft patio along the house on one 16 ft side needs 2 x (12 + 16) - 16 = 40 ft of edging.
How far apart should paver edging spikes be?: Follow the edging maker's instructions. Many plastic restraints call for a spike about every 12 in on straight runs and closer on curves, so 40 ft of edging needs around 40 spikes or more.
Do pavers need edge restraint?: Yes, on every edge that isn't held by something solid. Without it the outer pavers drift outward, joints open and the pattern loosens from the outside in.
Does edge restraint go on the sand or the base?: On the compacted base. That's why the base should run at least 6 in past the edge of the pavers. Spikes driven through sand don't hold.
What is the best edging for a paver driveway?: A concrete edge, a curb, or a restraint made for vehicle loads and spiked closely. Driveway edges take sideways pressure from turning tires.

Paver edge restraint calculator