Concrete Steps Calculator
This concrete steps calculator finds how much concrete you need for a set of solid concrete steps. Enter the number of steps, the step width, the rise and run, and an optional top platform, and the concrete steps calculator returns the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet plus the number of 80 lb and 60 lb bags, with a waste allowance.
Results
The Concrete Steps Calculator is part of our Concrete collection. Browse more concrete to size, convert, and check your work alongside this tool.
What the concrete steps calculator does
Solid concrete steps form a staircase of stacked blocks: the bottom step runs the full depth of the stair, and each step above is one tread shorter. The concrete steps calculator adds those blocks, plus any top landing, to get the total volume. It converts the result to cubic yards for a ready mix order and to bags for a small pour, and it adds the waste allowance you set to cover spillage, uneven ground, and form bulge.
Concrete steps formula
Step i from the top sits on a column i risers high, so the volumes add up as a triangle number:
Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards. An 80 lb bag of concrete yields about 0.60 cu ft and a 60 lb bag about 0.45 cu ft.
Concrete steps calculator example
Four steps, 36 in wide, with a 7 in rise, an 11 in run, no platform, and 10% waste:
That is 30 bags of 80 lb concrete or 40 bags of 60 lb concrete. Three 48 in wide steps of 7 × 12 in with a 36 in landing take 38.5 cu ft, or 1.426 cu yd, so ready mix makes more sense.
How to use the concrete steps calculator
Enter the number of steps, the width of the steps, the rise of each step, and the run, or tread depth, in inches. If the top step leads to a landing or platform, enter its depth beyond the last tread. Set a waste allowance, 10% is common, and press Calculate. The calculator assumes solid steps on a flat base; if the steps sit against a wall or slab, the volume is the same.
Reading how much concrete for steps
The cubic yard figure is what you order from a ready mix plant; most have a minimum load and charge a short load fee below it, so compare with bags. Around 0.5 cu yd, about 23 bags of 80 lb concrete, bags are usually cheaper and easier; past 1 cu yd, the mixing time makes a truck worth it. The total height and run let you check the stair against the opening and the forms before you pour.
When to use a concrete stairs calculator
- Pricing new front or back entry steps
- Choosing between bags and ready mix for a small pour
- Building forms for steps up to a porch or deck
- Estimating concrete for garden and patio steps
- Checking the volume of steps with a landing
Common concrete steps calculator mistakes
- Mixing feet and inches. Enter every size in inches.
- Forgetting the landing. A top platform often holds more concrete than the steps.
- Skipping waste. Form bulge and uneven ground use 5 to 10% more.
- Uneven risers. Keep every rise equal within 3/8 in for safety.
Tips for pouring concrete stairs
- Pour the bottom step first and work upward.
- Use a step edger and a broom finish for grip.
- Keep the steps damp for several days while they cure.
How to calculate concrete for steps by hand
Think of a stair as stacked slabs. With four steps, the bottom slab is four treads deep and one riser high, the next is three treads deep, and so on, but it is easier to stand it the other way: the front step sits on a column one riser high, the second on two risers, up to four risers at the back. The total is width × rise × run × (1 + 2 + 3 + 4), and 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 equals n × (n + 1) ÷ 2, or 10. That is the whole formula. A platform at the top is one more block, as deep as the landing and as tall as the full stair. If your steps rest on a sloped grade, measure the rise from the lowest point and the result covers the extra, or use the concrete calculator for any thick footing under them.
Concrete steps and building practice
Before you pour, set the forms on a compacted base and check the total rise against the door threshold: the landing at the top should sit no more than 1-1/2 inches below the threshold of the door. Bevel the bottom of each riser form so you can finish the tread to the edge, and slope each tread about 1/8 inch per foot so water runs off. Add rebar or wire mesh for steps more than two or three high, and tie them to the house foundation only if your local code allows it. Use a 4,000 psi mix or a bagged mix rated for steps and outdoor slabs in freeze thaw climates, and compare bag sizes with the concrete bag calculator before you buy.
Concrete for steps chart
Concrete for solid steps 36 in wide with a 7 in rise and 11 in run, no waste allowance:
| Steps | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 80 lb bags | 60 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.60 | 0.059 | 3 | 4 |
| 2 | 4.81 | 0.178 | 9 | 11 |
| 3 | 9.62 | 0.356 | 17 | 22 |
| 4 | 16.04 | 0.594 | 27 | 36 |
| 5 | 24.06 | 0.891 | 41 | 54 |
| 6 | 33.69 | 1.248 | 57 | 75 |
Concrete Steps Calculator FAQ
How much concrete do I need for steps?
Multiply width × rise × run × n × (n + 1) ÷ 2 in inches, divide by 1,728 for cubic feet, and add 10% waste. Four 36 in steps with a 7 × 11 in profile need about 17.65 cu ft.
How many bags of concrete for 3 steps?
Three 36 in wide steps with a 7 in rise and 11 in run need about 17 bags of 80 lb concrete before waste, or 18 with 10% added.
What is a good rise and run for concrete steps?
Residential codes commonly cap the rise at 7-3/4 in and require at least a 10 in tread. A 7 in rise with an 11 in run is comfortable for most people.
Can I fill the steps with gravel to save concrete?
Yes. Many builders fill the core of large steps with compacted gravel or rubble and keep at least 4 to 6 in of concrete on every face, which cuts the concrete volume a lot.