Slab Flatwork Estimator

Concrete Slab Calculator

Estimate concrete volume, slab cubic yards, concrete bags, and slab material costs using accurate contractor-grade formulas. A dedicated concrete slab estimator for patios, drives, garages, and walks.

  • Slab Estimation Tool
  • Contractor Friendly
  • Instant Results
  • Mobile Optimized

Patio preset — 4 in thick · #3 or #4 at 16–18 in OC typical

Slab Diagram

Plan View L: 10 ft W: 10 ft Side View T: 4 in Reinf: #3/#4 @ 16–18 in OC
Cubic Yards
Est. Cost
80 lb Bags
Truck Loads

Concrete Coverage Chart

Square feet covered per cubic yard at common slab thickness values.

Coverage per cubic yard by slab thickness
Thickness Sq Ft / Cu Yd Typical Use
4 in~81 sq ftPatio, sidewalk, shed
5 in~65 sq ftDriveway (light)
6 in~54 sq ftGarage, driveway
8 in~40 sq ftFoundation mats, heavy flatwork

Practical Slab Examples

Tap to load into this slab concrete calculator.

10×10 Patio

10 ft × 10 ft × 4 in, 10% waste.

Volume
~1.35 cu yd

20×20 Driveway Pad

20 ft × 20 ft × 5 in section.

Volume
~6.2 cu yd

Garage Slab

24 ft × 24 ft × 6 in.

Volume
~11.8 cu yd

Sidewalk Slab

4 ft × 50 ft × 4 in.

Volume
~2.7 cu yd

Slab Volume Formulas

Cu Yd = (L × W × T) ÷ 27 T in feet · add waste% before bags and cost

This slab volume calculator converts your units to feet, computes cubic feet, divides by 27 for yards, then applies waste. Bag count uses standard yields; cost uses your local price per yard.

Cross-check with the concrete yard calculator and concrete volume calculator on the same footprint.

Slab Thickness Guide

ProjectTypical ThicknessNotes
Patio4 inLight foot traffic, broom finish
Driveway5–6 inPassenger vehicles, control joints
Garage5–6 inOften reinforced, check soil report
Sidewalk4 inMay use mesh on residential walks

Contractor Tips

  • Measure inside forms. Outside dimensions over-order concrete on every slab concrete estimate.
  • Match reinforcement to use. Use our rebar calculator and rebar spacing calculator after volume is set.
  • Plan curing before the pour. Hydration matters more than an extra half-yard—schedule water or compound.
  • Compare bags vs ready-mix. Below ~1.5 yards, bags can win; above that, truck delivery usually saves labor.
  • Budget with cost tools. Pair volume with the concrete cost calculator for line-item quotes.

Concrete Slab FAQ

How many cubic yards in a 24×24 garage slab at 6 inches?

Net volume is about 10.67 cubic yards before waste. With 10% waste, plan for roughly 11.7 yards.

Is 4 inches enough for a patio?

Many light-duty patios use 4 inches over compacted gravel. Heavy features like outdoor kitchens may need thicker sections per engineering.

How do 50 lb bags compare to 80 lb?

Fifty-pound bags yield about 0.014 cubic yards each versus 0.022 for 80 lb—you need more bags but lighter lifts.

What is a short load fee?

Ready-mix plants often charge extra below 4–6 yards. This slab tool helps you see when you are near truck minimums.

Should I add rebar to a shed slab?

Small sheds on good soil sometimes use mesh; larger loads or poor soil warrant #3 or #4 grid. Match your permit detail.

How is this different from the main concrete calculator?

This page is tuned for flatwork with slab type presets, thickness guidance, and reinforcement hints. The concrete calculator covers general pours and advanced options.