How to measure your pool for coping and pavers
A tape measure, a sketch and ten minutes is all it takes to work out how much coping, paving and mosaic you need. Here is the step-by-step method, with worked examples.
Getting quantities right saves money and delays. Order too little and you risk a second batch that doesn't quite match. Order far too much and you're paying for pieces you don't need. Here's how to measure, step by step.
What you need
- A tape measure (a 30m long tape is easiest for the perimeter)
- Paper and pen, or a photo of the pool to draw on
- Your pool plans, if you have them
Step 1: Sketch the pool and surround
Draw a rough plan of the pool and the paved area around it. Mark steps, spa or swim-out areas, the skimmer, and any edges that meet a house, deck, garden or fence. It doesn't need to be to scale.
Step 2: Measure the perimeter for coping
Measure the length of every pool edge where the coping will sit, and add them together. Measure along the outside edge of the pool wall, where the coping overhangs the water.
- Rectangular pool: (length + width) x 2. An 8 x 4m pool is (8 + 4) x 2 = 24m.
- L-shaped or with a step-out: measure each straight edge separately and add them up.
- Curved or freeform pool: lay a string or garden hose along the edge, mark it, then straighten it out and measure it.
Step 3: Work out the number of coping pieces
Divide the perimeter by the length of one piece, usually 0.6m, then add 5% for cuts and mitred corners. Round up.
Example: 24m ÷ 0.6m = 40 pieces. Add 5% = 42 pieces.
Curved pools and pools with lots of corners may need a little more, so talk to us if your pool has an unusual shape.
Step 4: Measure the surround area for pavers
Break the paved area into simple rectangles, measure each one, and multiply length by width to get m². Add them together. Don't include the coping itself.
For a paved band all the way around a pool, it's easier to measure the outside of the paved area and subtract the pool and coping.
Example: an 8 x 4m pool with 300mm coping and a 1.5m paved band all round. The outside of the paving is 11.6 x 7.6m = 88.2m². The pool plus coping is 8.6 x 4.6m = 39.6m². Paving needed = 88.2 − 39.6 = 48.6m².
Add 10% for cuts, or 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns. 48.6m² + 10% = about 54m².
Step 5: Measure the waterline for mosaics
A mosaic waterline runs just below the coping, usually one sheet high. You need the same perimeter as the coping, in lineal metres. The calculator on every Ezarri product page converts lineal metres into m² for you. See our guide to choosing a waterline mosaic.
Step 6: Steps and walls
If steps, raised walls or planters are being tiled, measure the treads and the vertical faces separately, in m², and add 10%.
Quick reference
| Item | Measure | Add for cuts |
|---|---|---|
| Coping | Pool perimeter (lm) ÷ 0.6m | 5% |
| Pavers and tiles | Area (m²) | 10% (15% for diagonal patterns) |
| Waterline mosaic | Pool perimeter (lm) | 10% |
Tips
- Order everything for one area at the same time, so it all comes from the same batch.
- Keep a few spare pieces after the job for future repairs.
- Every product page has a calculator. Enter your measurements and it fills in the quantity.
Prefer us to do it? Send your plans and we'll work out the quantities for you. See also how much pool coping costs.