How Much Concrete for Steps? Yards and Bags by Step Count
Three concrete steps 4 ft wide, each with a 7 in rise and 11 in run, need about 0.52 cubic yards of concrete, which is 24 bags of 80 lb mix (32 of 60 lb), and they weigh about 2,118 lb. Change the numbers in the concrete steps calculator to match your steps.
Part of the project planner: Planning a concrete patio, slab or driveway.
Concrete for 1 to 6 steps
Each step is solid concrete from the ground up, 7 in rise, 11 in run, 10% waste included. The middle column shows the total height climbed:
| Steps | Total rise | 3 ft wide | 4 ft wide | 5 ft wide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 step | 7 in | 0.07 yd³ | 0.09 yd³ (4 bags) | 0.11 yd³ |
| 2 steps | 14 in | 0.20 yd³ | 0.26 yd³ (12 bags) | 0.33 yd³ |
| 3 steps | 21 in | 0.39 yd³ | 0.52 yd³ (24 bags) | 0.65 yd³ |
| 4 steps | 28 in | 0.65 yd³ | 0.87 yd³ (40 bags) | 1.09 yd³ |
| 5 steps | 35 in | 0.98 yd³ | 1.31 yd³ (59 bags) | 1.63 yd³ |
| 6 steps | 42 in | 1.37 yd³ | 1.83 yd³ (83 bags) | 2.29 yd³ |
Bags of concrete for 3 steps
| Steps | Concrete | 80 lb bags | 60 lb bags | 40 lb bags | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 steps, 3 ft wide | 0.39 yd³ | 18 | 24 | 36 | 1,588 lb |
| 3 steps, 4 ft wide | 0.52 yd³ | 24 | 32 | 48 | 2,118 lb |
| 3 steps, 5 ft wide | 0.65 yd³ | 30 | 40 | 59 | 2,647 lb |
Each extra foot of width adds the same amount again. Adding a 3 ft landing at the top of the 3-step, 4 ft wide set takes the total from 0.52 to 1.38 cubic yards.
What else to plan
- Footing and base: compacted gravel under the steps, and a footing below the frost line in cold climates. See the gravel calculator.
- Rise and run: keep every riser the same height; codes limit the rise and require a minimum tread depth. Work them out with the stair calculator.
- Forms: plywood or lumber boards, braced so they do not bow under the wet concrete.
- Rebar: a grid of #3 bars tied into the landing or footing, covered by at least 2 in of concrete.
- Cure: keep the steps damp or covered for about a week and keep traffic off for the time your mix needs.
For a flat landing or pad use the concrete calculator, and see how many bags of concrete you need and how many bags make a yard for the bag charts. Check local code before you pour: this is an estimate, not a design.
Frequently asked questions
How much concrete do I need for 3 steps?
Three steps 4 ft wide, with a 7 in rise and 11 in run, need 0.52 cubic yards with 10% waste, which is 24 bags of 80 lb mix and about 2,118 lb of concrete.
How do you calculate concrete for steps?
Each step is a slab as deep as all the treads below it. Add the volumes of the steps (rise × run × width, stacked), plus any landing, then add 5 to 10% for waste. The calculator does this from the step count, rise, run and width.
How many bags of concrete for 4 steps?
Four steps 4 ft wide need 0.87 cubic yards, or 40 bags of 80 lb mix.
Is it better to use bags or ready-mix for steps?
Bags are fine for one or two small steps. Past about 40 bags, mixing by hand is hard and ready-mix is easier, ordered in quarter-yard steps with a short-load fee for small amounts.
Do concrete steps need rebar or a footing?
Most codes want a footing below the frost line and rebar tied into it, and the step rise and run are limited by code (a rise of 7 3/4 in and a run of at least 10 in is the common residential limit). Check with your building department.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.