How Many Paver Stones to Make a Fire Pit

Building a fire pit is a fantastic project for any backyard, whether you're looking to create a cozy space for family gatherings or enhance the overall ambiance of your outdoor living area. One of the key components of a fire pit is the paver stones you will use to construct the walls. The number of paver stones needed depends on several factors, such as the size and height of the fire pit, the dimensions of the pavers themselves, and the design style. This guide will help you calculate the number of paver stones required for your fire pit.

Read more: How to Effectively Clean Paver Stones

Step 1: Determine the Size of Your Fire Pit

Before you can calculate the number of paver stones, you need to decide on the dimensions of your fire pit. There are two important factors to consider here: diameter and height.

• Diameter: This is the measurement of the fire pit from one side to the other, usually across the center of the fire pit.

• Height: This is how tall the fire pit walls will be, usually measured from the base to the top.

For example, let’s assume you want a fire pit with:

• A diameter of 36 inches (3 feet).

• A height of 12 inches (1 foot).

Step 2: Choose Your Paver Stone Size

Paver stones come in various shapes and sizes, but most commonly, you'll find round or rectangular pavers. To simplify the calculation, we’ll use a standard rectangular paver with dimensions of 6 inches by 12 inches.

• Width: 6 inches

• Length: 12 inches

If you are using round pavers, the calculation would need to factor in the radius of the paver and adjust for any gaps between stones.

Read more: how to build stairs with paver stones

Step 3: Calculate the Fire Pit's Circumference

The circumference of the fire pit is the perimeter, or the distance around the circular edge. You can calculate the circumference using the formula:

Circumference=π×Diameter\text{Circumference} = \pi \times \text{Diameter}Circumference=π×Diameter

Let’s calculate it for a fire pit with a 36-inch diameter:

Circumference=3.14×36 inches=113.04 inches\text{Circumference} = 3.14 \times 36 \text{ inches} = 113.04 \text{ inches}Circumference=3.14×36 inches=113.04 inches

So, the total circumference of your fire pit will be approximately 113 inches.

Step 4: Calculate the Number of Paver Stones Around the Fire Pit

Next, you need to figure out how many paver stones are required to cover this circumference. Since each paver stone is 12 inches long (as we’re using the 6 x 12-inch paver), divide the total circumference by the length of each paver stone:

Number of Pavers=CircumferenceLength of Paver=113.0412=9.42\text{Number of Pavers} = \frac{\text{Circumference}}{\text{Length of Paver}} = \frac{113.04}{12} = 9.42Number of Pavers=Length of PaverCircumference​=12113.04​=9.42

This means you will need about 10 paver stones to form the first row around the fire pit.

Step 5: Calculate the Number of Rows of Pavers

The number of rows of pavers needed depends on the height of the fire pit. In our example, we want a fire pit that is 12 inches tall, and each paver is 6 inches tall.

To calculate how many rows you need, divide the total height by the height of each paver:

Number of Rows=Height of Fire PitHeight of Paver=126=2\text{Number of Rows} = \frac{\text{Height of Fire Pit}}{\text{Height of Paver}} = \frac{12}{6} = 2Number of Rows=Height of PaverHeight of Fire Pit​=612​=2

This means you’ll need 2 rows of pavers to reach a height of 12 inches.

Step 6: Calculate Total Number of Paver Stones

Now, we can calculate the total number of paver stones required. Since we need 10 pavers per row and 2 rows, the total number of pavers will be:

Total Pavers=Number of Pavers per Row×Number of Rows=10×2=20 paver stones\text{Total Pavers} = \text{Number of Pavers per Row} \times \text{Number of Rows} = 10 \times 2 = 20 \text{ paver stones}Total Pavers=Number of Pavers per Row×Number of Rows=10×2=20 paver stones

So, for a fire pit with a 36-inch diameter and 12-inch height, you will need approximately 20 paver stones.

Step 7: Consider Extra Stones for Extra Features or Design

If you plan to add features such as a larger diameter, extra height, or specific design patterns (e.g., stacking with a decorative border), you may need more paver stones. It’s always a good idea to buy 10-15% more than the calculated amount to account for mistakes or variations in sizing.

For example, adding a 10% buffer to our total would be:

Buffer=Total Pavers×1.10=20×1.10=22 paver stones\text{Buffer} = \text{Total Pavers} \times 1.10 = 20 \times 1.10 = 22 \text{ paver stones}Buffer=Total Pavers×1.10=20×1.10=22 paver stones

Therefore, you should purchase about 22 paver stones to allow for potential adjustments or mistakes.

Step 8: Table of Fire Pit Size and Paver Stone Requirements

To give you a quick reference, here is a table showing the estimated number of paver stones required for different fire pit sizes. The table assumes you’re using 6x12-inch rectangular pavers and constructing a fire pit with a height of 12 inches.

Building a fire pit with paver stones is a manageable DIY project, and determining how many paver stones you need is fairly straightforward. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can accurately calculate the number of paver stones required for your fire pit. Don’t forget to account for extra stones to cover any potential errors or adjustments.

Whether you're creating a small and intimate gathering spot or a larger fire pit for entertaining, the right materials and preparation will ensure your project is a success. Happy building!