Concrete Footing Calculator

Free calculator. Work out the concrete for a continuous wall footing or square pads under posts and piers.

A B C
A Total length
ft
in
Add up every side of the footing.
in
in
Your prices (for the cost estimate)
$
$
These are example prices. Change them to what your local supplier charges. Ready-mix delivery fees are extra.
You need
–
–80 lb bags
–60 lb bags
–50 lb bags
–40 lb bags
Ready-mix order–
Weight–
Cost, ready-mix–
Cost, 80 lb bags–

Concrete for strip footings, per 10 ft

Width × depthcu ftyd³80 lb bags
12 × 6 in5.000.199
16 × 8 in8.890.3315
20 × 10 in13.890.5124
24 × 12 in20.000.7434
Per 10 ft of footing, before extra for waste.

Concrete for square footing pads

Pad sizecu ft80 lb bags
12 × 12 × 8 in0.672
16 × 16 × 8 in1.192
18 × 18 × 10 in1.884
24 × 24 × 12 in4.007
30 × 30 × 12 in6.2511
Per pad, before extra for waste.

How to calculate a footing

Length (ft) × Width (in) ÷ 12 × Depth (in) ÷ 12 = cubic feet
40 ft × 16 in × 8 in: 40 × 1.333 × 0.667 = 35.6 cu ft
35.6 ÷ 27 = 1.32 yd³

For a footing that wraps around a building, measure along the center of the footing on every side and add them up, so the corners aren't counted twice.

Footing size basics

Home footings are often 16 to 24 inches wide and 8 to 12 inches deep, with the bottom below the frost line. The right size depends on the load and your soil, so check your local building code or permit drawings before you dig.

Common questions

How much concrete do I need for a footing?

Multiply length by width by depth, all in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 40 ft long footing that is 16 in wide and 8 in deep needs about 1.32 cubic yards.

How deep should a concrete footing be?

Deep enough to sit below the frost line and on firm soil. In mild climates that can be 12 in; in cold climates it can be 4 ft or more. Your local building department sets the requirement.

How many bags of concrete for a 24×24 footing?

A 24 × 24 in pad that is 12 in deep holds 4 cubic feet, so about 7 bags of 80 lb.

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