PourGaugeHow much concrete you actually need, and what to mix into it.

How much concrete for a 8 × 8 ft slab, 4″ thick?

Concrete needed
0.87cubic yards
23.47 ft³ including 10% waste
Plan8 ft8 ft64 ft²SectionConcrete slab — 4″Compacted gravel base — 4″
Slab area64ft²
Volume (exact)before waste21.33ft³
Volume (order this)+10% waste23.47ft³
Ready-mix0.87yd³
40 lb bags0.3 ft³ per bag79bags
60 lb bags0.45 ft³ per bag53bags
80 lb bags0.6 ft³ per bag40bags
Gravel base (4")0.79yd³
Rebar #4 @ 18" grid112linear ft

Notes

  • Under 1 yd³, bagged mix is usually cheaper than a ready-mix delivery once the short-load fee is counted.
  • Figures assume a flat slab on a compacted base. Thickened edges, footings and piers need to be added separately.

How the number is worked out

A 8 × 8 ft slab covers 64 ft². At 4 inches thick that is 23.47 ft³ of concrete once 10% is added for waste — spillage, an uneven base and overfill at the form edges.

Divided by 27, that comes to 0.87 cubic yards.

Bags or ready-mix

Bagged mix is priced per bag and mixed on site; ready-mix arrives in a truck already wet. The crossover sits close to 1 cubic yard. Below it, bags usually win. Above it, the short-load fee on a small delivery is still cheaper than 40 bags and the hours it takes to mix them.

What is not included

These figures are for a flat slab on a compacted base. Thickened edges, footings, piers and any slope have to be added on top.

Nearby sizes

Read more