Concrete Slab Cost Calculator
Enter your slab dimensions and state to see how much concrete you need and what it will cost — as bagged DIY material, ready-mix delivery, or a fully installed slab.
Your slab
Adjusts prices for local labor and material rates.
Your estimate
144 sq ft · 4″ basic slab · national average
DIY with bags suits slabs under ~80 sq ft. Above that, ready-mix delivery is cheaper per yard and cures more evenly.
Concrete slab prices in 2026
As of July 2026, ready-mix concrete averages $150–$185 per cubic yard delivered in most of the US, and a professionally installed slab runs $6–$12 per square foot for a basic broom finish. Decorative finishes cost more: stamped concrete typically lands between $13 and $22 per square foot installed.
| Slab type | Typical size | Installed cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Patio (4″) | 12 × 12 ft | $1,150 – $1,600 |
| Shed base (4″) | 10 × 20 ft | $1,500 – $2,200 |
| Single-car driveway (5″) | 12 × 40 ft | $4,300 – $6,200 |
| Two-car garage (6″) | 20 × 24 ft | $4,800 – $7,000 |
| Stamped patio | 15 × 15 ft | $2,900 – $5,000 |
What drives the price up or down
- Thickness. Going from 4″ to 6″ adds 50% more concrete. Patios and walkways need 4″; anything a vehicle parks on needs 5–6″.
- Site prep. Excavation, grading, and a gravel sub-base can add $1–$3 per sq ft if your site isn’t level.
- Reinforcement. Wire mesh (~$0.50/sq ft) is standard for patios; rebar (~$1.25/sq ft) for driveways and garages.
- Finish. Broom finish is baseline. Stamping adds $5–$10/sq ft in labor and materials.
- Your location. Labor in California or New York runs 20–30% above the national average; much of the South runs 10–15% below. The calculator adjusts for all 50 states.
- Access. If a mixer truck can’t reach the pour site, pumping adds $150–$300.
DIY vs hiring a contractor
For a small slab (under about 80 sq ft), pouring it yourself with bagged concrete can cut the cost roughly in half — the trade-off is heavy labor and a short working window before the mix sets. For anything larger, ready-mix delivery is the practical DIY route, but most delivery companies charge a short-load fee (typically $75–$150) for orders under 4–5 yards.
Driveways and garage slabs are usually worth hiring out: they need correct sub-base compaction, control joints, and a consistent pour that’s hard to achieve solo. A failed slab costs more to demolish and re-pour than the original contractor quote.
How this calculator works
Volume is calculated as length × width × thickness, converted to cubic yards, plus a 10% waste allowance (industry standard for spillage and uneven sub-grade). Material prices reflect national ready-mix and bagged-concrete averages surveyed in July 2026, and installed costs combine material with prevailing regional labor rates. Your state selection applies a local cost index to every figure. Estimates are for planning — always confirm with local quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How many 80 lb bags of concrete are in a cubic yard?
How thick should a concrete slab be?
Is it cheaper to pour concrete yourself?
How long before I can use a new slab?
Do these prices include removal of an old slab?
Related calculators
Concrete Slab cost by state
Prices are adjusted for each state’s construction wages, permit costs, and local code requirements.