Concrete Calculator

Concrete Patio Calculator

concrete patio calculator. Cubic yards, bags, and cost for poured concrete patios of any size and shape.

The Short Answer: A 12x20 patio at 4 inches thick needs about 2.96 cubic yards of concrete — roughly 134 bags of 80 lb mix or one ready-mix truck delivery. Add a 4-inch gravel base beneath.

Concrete Patio Calculator

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Concrete Patio Planning Guide

A poured concrete patio is one of the most durable outdoor surfaces you can build — properly installed, it lasts 25–30 years with minimal maintenance. The key variables are size, thickness, and whether you need a gravel base (you do).

Thickness by Use

Every concrete patio needs a compacted gravel base beneath it — typically 4 inches of crushed stone. This prevents frost heave, provides drainage, and gives the concrete a stable, level surface to cure on. Use the Gravel Calculator to estimate the base material separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 inches is standard for residential patios with normal foot traffic. Use 5–6 inches with rebar if the patio will support a hot tub, outdoor kitchen, or any concentrated heavy load. For a simple patio with chairs and a table, 4 inches with wire mesh is more than adequate.

Materials only: about ( per cubic yard for ready-mix, or \–9 per bag if hand-mixing. A 12×20 patio (2.96 yards) costs (–600 in concrete alone. Installed by a contractor: \–12 per square foot total including base prep, forming, pouring, and finishing. A 240 sq ft patio: \,440–2,880 installed.

Yes, for small patios (under 100 sq ft or about 1 cubic yard). Larger patios should use ready-mix delivery because hand-mixing 45+ bags is exhausting and the concrete may start setting before you finish. For any patio, the critical DIY skills are: building level forms, compacting the gravel base, placing wire mesh, screeding the surface, and finishing before the concrete sets. Watch the weather — don't pour if rain is forecast within 24 hours.

The Bottom Line

Free concrete patio calculator. Cubic yards, bags, and cost for poured concrete patios of any size and shape. Accurate measurements prevent over-ordering and under-ordering — both cost you money and time. Enter your project dimensions above, add 10% for waste, and order with confidence.