You’ve picked your material, you’ve got a rough idea of your space, and now comes the question that trips up almost every first-time buyer: how much do I actually order?
Order too little and you’re stuck waiting on a second shipment that may not match your original batch. Order too much and you’ve tied up budget in stone sitting in your garage. Getting this right is one of the most practical things you can do before you buy — and it’s not complicated once you know the formula.
Here’s exactly how to calculate your travertine paver order, from first measurement to final pallet count.
Grab a tape measure and write down the length and width of your project area in feet. For a simple rectangle or square patio, this is straightforward.
Basic formula:
Length (ft) × Width (ft) = Total Square Footage
So a patio that’s 20 feet long and 15 feet wide comes out to 300 square feet.
Irregular shapes: Break the area into rectangles, calculate each one separately, then add them together. For an L-shaped patio, for example, split it into two rectangles and sum both totals.
Pool decks: Measure the full deck area, then subtract the pool footprint. If your pool is 12×24 feet (288 sq ft) and the full deck area is 600 sq ft, you’re ordering pavers for 312 square feet.
This is the step most homeowners skip — and then regret.
Cuts happen. Edges need trimming. Occasionally a paver ships with a chip or crack. You need a buffer, and the right buffer depends on your layout pattern:
| Layout Pattern | Waste Factor to Add |
| Simple grid (12×12, 16×16, 24×24) | Add 10% |
| Rectangular running bond (16×24, 12×24) | Add 10% |
| French Pattern (4-piece set) | Add 15% |
| Diagonal or herringbone layout | Add 15–20% |
Waste-adjusted formula:
Square Footage × 1.10 (or 1.15) = Amount to Order
For our 300 sq ft patio in a French pattern: 300 × 1.15 = 345 square feet to order.
Don’t skip this step. Matching a second order from the same stone lot isn’t always possible — natural stone varies slightly between production runs, and the color difference can be visible.
Travertine pavers are sold by the square foot but shipped by the pallet. Knowing how pallet quantities work helps you avoid ordering an awkward partial pallet.
Typical pallet coverage at Texas Travertine:
| Paver Size | Coverage Per Pallet |
| 12×12 | ~200 sq ft |
| 16×16 | ~200–220 sq ft |
| 16×24 | ~200–220 sq ft |
| 24×24 | ~180–200 sq ft |
| French Pattern Set | ~200 sq ft |
Pro tip: Always round up to the nearest full pallet. If your waste-adjusted number comes out to 345 sq ft and a pallet covers 200 sq ft, you need 2 pallets (400 sq ft). That extra buffer is your insurance policy — and leftover travertine stores well for future repairs.
If your project includes a pool edge, raised patio border, or steps, you’ll also need travertine coping — the cap pieces that finish those edges cleanly.
Measure the linear footage of any edges that need coping (the perimeter of your pool edge, for example), then divide by the coping piece length you’re using. Standard coping pieces are 12″ wide and come in lengths of 12″, 16″, or 24″.
Example: A pool with a 70-foot perimeter using 16″ coping pieces needs approximately 53 pieces (70 ft ÷ 1.33 ft per piece), plus 10% for cuts = about 58–60 pieces.
Not sure what your finished patio size will look like? Here are common Texas outdoor living project sizes to help you plan:
| Project | Typical Size | Order (with 10% waste) |
| Small patio | 12×12 ft (144 sq ft) | ~160 sq ft |
| Medium patio | 16×20 ft (320 sq ft) | ~352 sq ft |
| Large patio | 20×30 ft (600 sq ft) | ~660 sq ft |
| Small pool deck | 400 sq ft (net of pool) | ~440 sq ft |
| Large pool deck | 700 sq ft (net of pool) | ~770 sq ft |
Once you have your square footage number, the ordering process at Texas Travertine is simple:
One thing worth doing before you finalize: let our team know if you have any unusual angles, curves, or cutouts in your design. We can help you refine the quantity estimate so you’re not over-ordering by a full pallet.
Getting your order quantity right comes down to four things: accurate measurements, the right waste factor for your pattern, rounding up to full pallets, and not forgetting coping if your project needs it. Follow those steps and you’ll land on a number you can order with confidence.
Ready to price it out? Submit a quote at texastravertine.com and our team will get back to you within 24 hours.
