Planning to pour a new sidewalk? Our Concrete for Sidewalk Calculator helps you quickly estimate how much concrete you’ll need for your project — saving time, money, and reducing waste. Whether you’re a DIY homeowner or a contractor, this simple tool provides accurate results in just seconds.
Formula to Calculate Concrete for Sidewalk
To calculate the volume of concrete required for a sidewalk, use the formula for volume:
Volume=Length×Width×Thickness
Convert Thickness to Feet (if needed)
If your thickness is given in inches, convert it to feet before multiplying:
Thickness (ft)=12Thickness (in)
Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards
Since concrete is usually sold by the cubic yard, convert your result as follows:
Volume (cu yd)=27Volume (cu ft)
Estimate Number of Bags of Concrete
If you’re using pre-mixed bags of concrete, you can calculate how many bags are needed using this formula:
Number of Bags=Volume per Bag (cu ft)Total Volume (cu ft)
For reference:
- A 40 lb bag covers about 0.30 cu ft
- A 60 lb bag covers about 0.45 cu ft
- A 80 lb bag covers about 0.60 cu ft
Example Calculation
Let’s calculate concrete for a sidewalk that is:
- Length = 20 ft
- Width = 4 ft
- Thickness = 4 in
Step 1: Convert thickness to feet
Thickness (ft)=124=0.3333ft
Step 2: Calculate volume in cubic feet
Volume=20×4×0.3333=26.66cu ft
Step 3: Convert to cubic yards
Volume (cu yd)=2726.66=0.99cu yd
Step 4: Calculate number of 80 lb bags
Number of Bags=0.6026.66≈45
Result: You’ll need approximately 0.99 cubic yards of concrete, or 45 bags (80 lb each) for your 20 ft × 4 ft × 4 in sidewalk.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How thick should a concrete sidewalk be?
A standard residential sidewalk is typically 4 inches thick (10 cm). However, for areas with heavy foot traffic or occasional light vehicle use, a thickness of 5–6 inches may be recommended for extra durability.
3. How many 80 lb concrete bags make one cubic yard?
It takes approximately 45 bags of 80 lb concrete to make 1 cubic yard.
- 60 lb bags → about 60 bags per cubic yard
- 40 lb bags → about 90 bags per cubic yard
4. How much does it cost to pour a concrete sidewalk?
The average cost to pour a concrete sidewalk ranges between $5 to $10 per square foot, depending on location, material quality, and labor charges.
5. What type of concrete is best for sidewalks?
Use ready-mix concrete with a compressive strength of 3,500 to 4,000 psi for sidewalks. It provides a good balance between durability and workability for outdoor conditions.
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