Concrete Slab Cost in 2026: What You'll Actually Pay
The most practical dimension-by-dimension reference for residential concrete slabs in the US. Real 2026 contractor rates, every standard size, plus a cubic-yard calculator for ordering ready-mix or bagged concrete.
Tell us your slab size.
We'll tell you what it costs.
Enter dimensions for a low/mid/high installed estimate. Optional inputs adjust thickness, reinforcement, finish, and region. Cubic-yard output for ordering ready-mix.
Concrete Slab Cost Calculator
Cost by Standard Slab Size
The 18 most-searched residential slab dimensions. Low = 4-inch plain broom finish, no reinforcement. Mid = 4-inch wire mesh, broom finish. High = 6-inch rebar grid, reinforced. All installed cost. Regional variation ±20–30%.
| Slab Size (ft) | Sq Ft | Low / Plain | Mid / Mesh | High / Rebar | Cu Yd (4") | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8×8 | 64 | $256 | $480 | $768 | 0.79 | Shed pad, AC unit |
| 10×10 | 100 | $400 | $750 | $1,200 | 1.23 | Small shed, hot tub |
| 10×16 | 160 | $640 | $1,200 | $1,920 | 1.98 | Single car parking |
| 10×20 | 200 | $800 | $1,500 | $2,400 | 2.47 | Small patio |
| 12×12 | 144 | $576 | $1,080 | $1,728 | 1.78 | Patio / storage |
| 12×16 | 192 | $768 | $1,440 | $2,304 | 2.37 | Small patio |
| 12×20 | 240 | $960 | $1,800 | $2,880 | 2.96 | Standard patio |
| 14×14 | 196 | $784 | $1,470 | $2,352 | 2.42 | Patio |
| 16×16 | 256 | $1,024 | $1,920 | $3,072 | 3.16 | Medium patio |
| 16×24 | 384 | $1,536 | $2,880 | $4,608 | 4.74 | Large patio |
| 18×18 | 324 | $1,296 | $2,430 | $3,888 | 4.00 | Medium patio |
| 20×20 | 400 | $1,600 | $3,000 | $4,800 | 4.94 | Large patio / small garage |
| 20×30 | 600 | $2,400 | $4,500 | $7,200 | 7.41 | Large patio / RV pad |
| 24×24 | 576 | $2,304 | $4,320 | $6,912 | 7.11 | 2-car garage floor |
| 24×30 | 720 | $2,880 | $5,400 | $8,640 | 8.89 | Large garage |
| 30×30 | 900 | $3,600 | $6,750 | $10,800 | 11.11 | Large garage / workshop |
| 30×40 | 1200 | $4,800 | $9,000 | $14,400 | 14.81 | 3-car garage / outbuilding |
| 40×60 | 2400 | $9,600 | $18,000 | $28,800 | 29.63 | Small commercial |
Cost by What You're Pouring
Patio Slab
Driveway
Garage Floor
Foundation
Shed Pad
Stamped Concrete
Cost Factors
DIY Pour
What Moves the Number on Your Quote
Five line items account for almost all the spread between a low quote and a high quote. Match the spec to your project, not to the cheapest bid.
Slab Thickness
+$1.50/sqft per 2 inches4-inch is standard for patios, walkways, shed pads. 6-inch is required for driveways and garage floors. 8-inch and above is for foundations and heavy commercial. Thickness drives concrete volume directly: a 6-inch slab uses 50% more concrete than a 4-inch slab of the same area.
PSI Strength
+$10–$25/cu yd per step3,000 PSI is the residential default. 3,500-4,000 PSI is standard for driveways and garage floors with freeze-thaw exposure. 4,500+ PSI is for foundations in poor-soil regions and any exterior surface in hard winter climates. Higher PSI also resists chemical attack from de-icing salt.
Reinforcement
+$0.35–$3/sqft installedWire mesh ($0.35/sqft) is adequate for patios and small slabs in stable soil. Rebar grid ($1-$3/sqft) is required for vehicle loads, structural slabs, and most slabs over 200 sqft per code. Fiber mesh adds crack resistance and is often used alongside rebar in high-spec applications.
Site Prep
$1–$3/sqft, can reach $5+4-6 inches of compacted gravel base is standard ($1-$2/sqft). Excavation depth and grading depend on existing terrain ($1-$2/sqft for typical sites). Vapor barrier ($0.10-$0.30/sqft) is required under foundation slabs and recommended for any slab inside a building envelope. Sloped or rocky sites can push site prep to $5+/sqft.
Finish & Decorative
+$0–$15/sqftBroom finish is standard and included in base pricing. Brushed and exposed-aggregate add $0.50-$1/sqft. Stamped concrete adds $4-$10/sqft and requires sealing every 2-3 years. Acid stain adds $2-$5/sqft. Polished concrete (typically interior) adds $4-$15/sqft depending on grit level and number of passes.
Permit & Inspection
$50–$500 by jurisdictionFoundation slabs always require permits and pre-pour inspection in every US jurisdiction. Garage and driveway slabs typically require permits ($100-$300). Patios and detached shed pads under a code-defined size threshold often do not. Skipping a required permit creates resale and insurance issues; verify locally before pouring.
The Quote Sheet Checklist
Your contractor's quote should itemise every line below. A single per-square-foot number with no breakdown is the single biggest red flag in residential concrete. Bring this list to every estimate meeting.
A flat "$5/sqft installed" quote with no spec sheet means the contractor is making assumptions you haven't agreed to. Common omissions: gravel base, rebar, expansion joints, curing compound, cleanup.
- ▢Concrete PSI grade
- ▢Slab thickness in inches
- ▢Reinforcement type & spacing
- ▢Excavation depth & disposal
- ▢Gravel base depth & compaction
- ▢Vapor barrier (if required)
- ▢Forming materials & method
- ▢Expansion / control joint plan
- ▢Finish type (broom, stamp, etc.)
- ▢Curing compound or method
- ▢Cleanup & site restoration
- ▢Permit fee (included or excluded?)
- ▢Cubic yards quoted
- ▢Short-load fee disclosed
- ▢Warranty terms (years, scope)
- ▢Payment schedule & milestones