Sidewalk Concrete Calculator

Sidewalk Length (feet):

Sidewalk Width (feet):

Sidewalk Thickness (inches):

Waste Factor (%): (Recommended: 5-10% for waste, spillage, uneven subgrade)

Calculation Results:

Volume (Cubic Feet): —

Volume (Cubic Yards): —

Approx. 80lb Bags: —

Approx. 60lb Bags: —

function calculateSidewalkConcrete() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sidewalkLength').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sidewalkWidth').value); var thicknessInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sidewalkThickness').value); var wasteFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wasteFactor').value); // Validate inputs if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(thicknessInches) || isNaN(wasteFactor) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || thicknessInches <= 0 || wasteFactor < 0) { document.getElementById('sidewalkConcreteResult').innerHTML = '

Calculation Results:

Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.'; return; } // Convert thickness from inches to feet var thicknessFeet = thicknessInches / 12; // Calculate volume in cubic feet var volumeCubicFeet = length * width * thicknessFeet; // Apply waste factor var totalVolumeCubicFeet = volumeCubicFeet * (1 + (wasteFactor / 100)); // Convert to cubic yards (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet) var totalVolumeCubicYards = totalVolumeCubicFeet / 27; // Approximate number of concrete bags // 1 80lb bag yields approx 0.6 cubic feet // 1 60lb bag yields approx 0.45 cubic feet var bags80lb = Math.ceil(totalVolumeCubicFeet / 0.6); var bags60lb = Math.ceil(totalVolumeCubicFeet / 0.45); // Display results document.getElementById('resultCubicFeet').innerHTML = 'Volume (Cubic Feet): ' + totalVolumeCubicFeet.toFixed(2) + ' cu ft'; document.getElementById('resultCubicYards').innerHTML = 'Volume (Cubic Yards): ' + totalVolumeCubicYards.toFixed(2) + ' cu yds'; document.getElementById('result80lbBags').innerHTML = 'Approx. 80lb Bags: ' + bags80lb + ' bags'; document.getElementById('result60lbBags').innerHTML = 'Approx. 60lb Bags: ' + bags60lb + ' bags'; }

Understanding Your Sidewalk Concrete Needs

Building a new sidewalk or repairing an existing one requires careful planning, and one of the most critical steps is accurately estimating the amount of concrete you'll need. Ordering too little can cause delays and extra delivery fees, while ordering too much leads to unnecessary waste and cost. Our Sidewalk Concrete Calculator simplifies this process, ensuring you get the right amount for your project.

How to Use the Calculator

To get an accurate estimate, you'll need a few key measurements:

Sidewalk Length (feet): Measure the total length of your sidewalk in feet. If your sidewalk has turns or irregular shapes, break it down into rectangular sections, calculate each, and sum them up.
Sidewalk Width (feet): Measure the width of your sidewalk in feet. Ensure this is consistent across the entire length.
Sidewalk Thickness (inches): The standard thickness for residential sidewalks is typically 4 inches. For areas with heavier foot traffic or light vehicle access, you might consider 5 or 6 inches.
Waste Factor (%): It's always wise to account for some waste due to spillage, uneven subgrade, or minor miscalculations. A waste factor of 5-10% is generally recommended. Our calculator defaults to 10% to be safe.

What the Results Mean

Once you input your measurements and click "Calculate," the tool will provide you with:

Volume (Cubic Feet): This is the raw volume of concrete required for your sidewalk.
Volume (Cubic Yards): Concrete is typically ordered from suppliers in cubic yards. This is the most important number for placing your order. (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet).
Approx. 80lb Bags / 60lb Bags: If you're tackling a smaller DIY project, you might be mixing concrete from bags. This estimate tells you how many pre-mixed bags you'll need, rounded up to the nearest whole bag.

Example Calculation

Let's say you're pouring a new sidewalk with the following dimensions:

Length: 50 feet
Width: 3 feet
Thickness: 4 inches
Waste Factor: 10%

Using the calculator:

First, convert thickness to feet: 4 inches / 12 = 0.333 feet.
Calculate base volume: 50 ft * 3 ft * 0.333 ft = 49.95 cubic feet.
Apply waste factor: 49.95 cu ft * (1 + 0.10) = 54.945 cubic feet.
Convert to cubic yards: 54.945 cu ft / 27 = 2.035 cubic yards.
For 80lb bags (approx. 0.6 cu ft/bag): 54.945 / 0.6 = 91.575, rounded up to 92 bags.
For 60lb bags (approx. 0.45 cu ft/bag): 54.945 / 0.45 = 122.1, rounded up to 123 bags.

Based on these inputs, you would need approximately 2.04 cubic yards of concrete, or about 92 (80lb) bags or 123 (60lb) bags.

Additional Considerations for Your Sidewalk Project

Sub-base: A well-compacted gravel or crushed stone sub-base (typically 4-6 inches thick) is crucial for drainage and preventing cracking. This calculator only estimates concrete volume, not sub-base material.
Reinforcement: For added strength and crack resistance, consider using rebar or wire mesh within your concrete slab.
Expansion Joints: Place expansion joints every 10-15 feet to allow for concrete expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, preventing random cracking.
Concrete Strength (PSI): While not affecting volume, the PSI (pounds per square inch) rating of your concrete mix is important. For sidewalks, 3000-4000 PSI is common. Discuss this with your concrete supplier.
Curing: Proper curing (keeping the concrete moist for several days after pouring) is essential for achieving maximum strength and durability.

By using this calculator and considering these tips, you'll be well on your way to a successful and long-lasting sidewalk project!