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.