Concrete Steps Calculator
For solid poured steps that sit on the ground, such as an entry stoop or garden stairs. Enter the number of steps, the rise and run of each in inches, and the width in feet.
Concrete needed
0.52 cubic yards
14.1 ft³ · 0.40 m³ · includes 10% extra
You need about 0.52 cubic yards of concrete, or 24 bags of 80 lb mix.
Bags of premix
- 4840 lb bags
- 3850 lb bags
- 3260 lb bags
- 2480 lb bags
- —20 kg bags
- —25 kg bags
- Before extra0.48 yd³ (12.8 ft³)
- Weight of bags1,920 lb
- Per hole—
- Ready-mix costAdd a price per yd³
- Bagged costAdd a price per bag
One 80 lb bag makes about 0.60 ft³ (manufacturer's published yield). Bags are rounded up.
At 0.52 yd³ (24 × 80 lb bags, 1,920 lb), bags and a small ready-mix load are both reasonable. Ask local suppliers for their minimum load and short-load fee before deciding.
Estimate only, not a quote or engineering advice. Disclaimer
How steps are calculated
Solid steps are treated as a stack of blocks that each run from the ground up. The bottom step is one rise high, the second is two rises high, and so on. Each block is one run deep and the full width.
= Width × Run × Rise × n × (n + 1) ÷ 2
Example: 3 steps, 7 in rise, 11 in run, 4 ft wide: 4 × 0.917 × 0.583 × 6 = 12.8 ft³, which is 0.48 yd³, or 22 bags of 80-lb mix before waste.
Steps 4 ft wide, 7 in rise, 11 in run
| Steps | ft³ | yd³ | 80-lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 6.42 | 0.24 | 11 |
| 3 | 12.83 | 0.48 | 22 |
| 4 | 21.39 | 0.79 | 36 |
| 5 | 32.08 | 1.19 | 54 |
| 6 | 44.92 | 1.66 | 75 |
Top landing
If the top step is a deeper landing, enter one fewer step here, then add the landing as a slab whose thickness is the full height of the steps. Steps poured against a house wall or with a hollow fill of gravel use less concrete than solid steps.
Building codes limit the rise and require a minimum run for stairs, and they often require handrails. Check local rules before setting your forms.
Frequently asked questions
How much concrete do I need for 3 steps?
Three solid steps 4 ft wide with a 7-inch rise and 11-inch run take about 12.8 ft³ (0.48 yd³) before waste, which is 22 bags of 80-lb mix or 29 bags of 60-lb mix.
How do you calculate concrete for stairs?
Treat each step as a block from the ground to its top, add them, and multiply by the width. The shortcut is width × run × rise × n × (n + 1) ÷ 2 for n steps.
Does this include the footing under the steps?
No. If your steps need a footing, calculate it with the footing calculator and add it.
Related
Sources
- QUIKRETE: Concrete Mix No. 1101 data sheet (Revised Oct 2022; checked Nov 11, 2026)