How Much Ice Melt Do I Need? Pounds per Driveway, Walk or Winter
Part of the project planner: Getting the house ready for winter.
Ice melt only needs to start a layer of brine, so a little goes a long way. A driveway of 480 sq ft takes about 2.4 lb for one treatment at 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft, and 1 bags of 40 lb across 12 treatments. The ice melt calculator does it for your area.
How much for each area
Pounds for one treatment, at the normal rate and for thick ice, with the bags of 40 lb for 12 treatments at the normal rate:
| Area | Size | Normal ice | Thick ice | Bags for 12 treatments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 × 4 ft | 80 sq ft | 0.4 lb | 0.6 lb | 1 |
| 30 × 4 ft | 120 sq ft | 0.6 lb | 1.0 lb | 1 |
| 50 × 4 ft | 200 sq ft | 1.0 lb | 1.6 lb | 1 |
| 20 × 10 ft | 200 sq ft | 1.0 lb | 1.6 lb | 1 |
| 40 × 12 ft | 480 sq ft | 2.4 lb | 3.8 lb | 1 |
| 60 × 20 ft | 1,200 sq ft | 6.0 lb | 9.6 lb | 2 |
| 100 × 20 ft | 2,000 sq ft | 10.0 lb | 16.0 lb | 3 |
How much for each kind of ice
For a driveway of 480 sq ft:
| Ice | Rate per 1,000 sq ft | Pounds | 12 oz mugs |
|---|---|---|---|
| A dusting or thin frost | 3 lb | 1.4 lb | 1.9 |
| Normal snow and ice, cleared first | 5 lb | 2.4 lb | 3.2 |
| Thick ice or packed snow | 8 lb | 3.8 lb | 5.1 |
How many treatments in a winter
| Treatments | Pounds | Bags of 40 lb |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 14 lb | 1 |
| 12 | 29 lb | 1 |
| 20 | 48 lb | 2 |
| 30 | 72 lb | 2 |
Choosing a product
- Rock salt (sodium chloride). Cheap, and works down to about 15°F. It is hard on plants and on new concrete.
- Calcium chloride. Works in much colder weather, to about −25°F, and starts faster. It costs more.
- Blends. Often mix salts for a lower working temperature. Read the label for the rate.
- Sand or grit. Does not melt anything, but gives grip at any temperature.
Using it well
- Shovel the snow first. Ice melt cannot work through a thick pack of snow.
- Spread it thinly and evenly, with a hand spreader if you have one: you should still see the pavement.
- Put it down before a storm if you can, and again if the ice comes back.
- Sweep up what is left after the thaw, to keep it from the lawn and from being tracked indoors.
- Keep pets away from it: the salts can hurt their paws.
See also the weatherstripping calculator and the firewood calculator for getting ready for winter. These rates are typical for a home: follow the label on your product.
Frequently asked questions
How much ice melt do I need for a driveway?
About 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet for normal ice: 2.4 lb for a 480 sq ft driveway. For thick ice, about 8 pounds per 1,000 sq ft, or 3.8 lb.
How much salt do I put on a sidewalk?
A sidewalk of 50 by 4 ft takes about 1.0 lb, which is 1.3 coffee mugs of salt.
How many bags do I need for a winter?
For this driveway and 12 treatments, 1 bags of 40 lb. A snowy winter with 20 treatments takes 2.
At what temperature does rock salt stop working?
At about 15°F. Calcium chloride works to about −25°F, but costs more. Sand gives grip in any cold.
Should I put salt down before or after the snow?
Before a storm if you can, since it stops the snow bonding. After a storm, shovel first and then use a thin layer on the ice that is left.
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.