CONCRETE PROJECT ESTIMATOR

Concrete Cost Calculator

Estimate the full cost of a concrete slab, driveway, patio, or foundation — including excavation, gravel base, rebar reinforcement, ready-mix concrete delivery, and finishing labor. Regional state adjustments included.

Reviewed & Verified by Anish Sigdel Civil Engineer & Founder
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Project Specifications

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ft

Concrete Cost Summary

Total Estimated Cost $3,220 $8.05 per sq ft
Area & Volume 400 sq ft / 4.9 yd³
Excavation & Gravel Base $480
Ready-Mix Concrete $735
Reinforcement (Rebar/Mesh) $340
Labor & Finishing $1,480
Forms, Curing & Misc $185

Concrete Project Cost by Type (Installed, Per Sq Ft)

National average installed concrete costs in 2024–2025. Prices include subgrade preparation, concrete materials, and labor. Decorative finishes (stamping, staining, exposed aggregate) increase costs significantly.

Project Type Thickness Low Range Average High / Decorative
Patio / Walkway4 in$4.00/sq ft$6.50/sq ft$12–$18/sq ft
Driveway5–6 in$5.00/sq ft$8.00/sq ft$14–$22/sq ft
Garage Floor4–6 in$4.50/sq ft$7.50/sq ft$12–$20/sq ft
Basement Slab4 in$3.50/sq ft$6.00/sq ft$9–$14/sq ft
Foundation / Footer8–12 in$8.00/sq ft$14.00/sq ft$20–$35/sq ft
Stamped Concrete4 in$10.00/sq ft$15.00/sq ft$20–$30/sq ft

Ready-Mix Concrete Cost Per Cubic Yard

Ready-mix concrete is sold by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet). Prices include delivery within a standard radius. Short-load fees apply for orders under 5–7 cubic yards.

Concrete Mix / PSI Common Use Cost Per Cubic Yard Notes
2,500 PSIResidential driveways, patios$130–$155/yd³Most common residential mix
3,000 PSIStandard slabs, footings$140–$165/yd³IBC minimum for most footings
3,500 PSIHeavy-duty driveways, commercial slabs$155–$180/yd³Better for freeze-thaw climates
4,000 PSIStructural beams, columns, foundations$170–$200/yd³Required for structural elements
5,000+ PSIHigh-strength commercial/industrial$200–$250+/yd³Special order in most markets

State-by-State Concrete Cost Index

Estimated installed costs for a 400 sq ft, 4-inch concrete patio with #4 rebar reinforcement across key US states.

State Multiplier Basic Patio (400 sq ft) Stamped Concrete (400 sq ft)
California 1.25x $4,000 $7,500
Texas 0.92x $2,944 $5,520
Florida 0.96x $3,072 $5,760
New York 1.2x $3,840 $7,200
Pennsylvania 1.02x $3,264 $6,120
Illinois 1.06x $3,392 $6,360
Ohio 0.9x $2,880 $5,400
Georgia 0.93x $2,976 $5,580
North Carolina 0.91x $2,912 $5,460
Michigan 0.98x $3,136 $5,880

How to Calculate Concrete Volume

Follow these steps to calculate exactly how much concrete your project needs:

  1. Measure Your Area: Length (ft) × Width (ft) = Square Footage. For irregular shapes, break into rectangles and add together.
  2. Convert Thickness to Feet: Divide inches by 12. A 4-inch slab = 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 feet.
  3. Calculate Cubic Feet: Square Footage × Thickness in Feet = Cubic Feet. (400 sq ft × 0.333 = 133.3 cubic feet)
  4. Convert to Cubic Yards: Cubic Feet ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards. (133.3 ÷ 27 = 4.94 cubic yards)
  5. Add Waste Factor: Add 5–10% for overage. For 4.94 yards, order 5.5 cubic yards.

You can also use our dedicated Concrete Volume Calculator to compute bags, sand, gravel, and cement quantities for any project type.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does concrete cost per square foot?

Installed concrete typically costs $4 to $9 per square foot for a standard 4-inch residential slab, including subgrade preparation, concrete placement, and basic finishing. Decorative or stamped concrete runs $8 to $20+ per square foot.

How many yards of concrete do I need for a 400 sq ft patio?

For a 4-inch thick slab: 400 sq ft × (4 in ÷ 12) = 133.3 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 4.94 cubic yards. Always add 5–10% for waste and overage — order approximately 5.5 cubic yards.

What is the difference between ready-mix concrete and bagged concrete?

Ready-mix concrete (delivered by truck) is more cost-effective for projects over 1 cubic yard (27 cubic feet). Bagged concrete mixes are better for small repairs and posts. One 80 lb bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet, so you'd need 45 bags per cubic yard.

Does concrete need rebar reinforcement?

Residential slabs-on-grade (patios, driveways, garage floors) typically use rebar or fiber mesh reinforcement. Structural elements like foundations, columns, and beams always require engineered rebar cages. Wire mesh is sometimes used as an economical alternative for light-duty flatwork.

Related Construction Estimators

Switch to other free calculators to estimate complementary materials for your build.

Related State Cost Pages

Select a state to view localized material costs, labor rates, and custom estimates adjusted for regional price variations.

Related FAQs

How much does concrete cost per square foot?

A poured concrete slab typically costs $5 to $15 per square foot, which includes excavation, gravel sub-base, reinforcement, concrete delivery, and labor.

What is the cost of a ready-mix concrete delivery?

Ready-mix concrete costs between $130 and $165 per cubic yard. suppliers often require a minimum order of 3 to 5 cubic yards to avoid short-load fees.