A concrete footing calculator tells you how much concrete you need for a strip footing by length, width, and depth. A typical 40-foot footing at 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep needs about 1.3 cubic yards of concrete – roughly 80 60-pound bags, or about $230 of ready-mix material plus delivery.
Enter your footing length, width, and depth below to get the volume, bag count, and a ready-mix comparison with your local prices.
Concrete for footings
Your concrete quantity
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total volume | - |
| Cubic yards | - |
| 60 lb bags | - |
| 80 lb bags | - |
| Estimated bag cost | - |
| Ready-mix comparison | - |
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Concrete footing volume by size
The table shows the concrete volume for common footing sizes per 10 linear feet, plus the 60-pound bag count. A 60-pound bag yields about 0.45 cubic feet; an 80-pound bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet.
| Footing size (width x depth) | Volume per 10 ft | 60 lb bags per 10 ft |
|---|---|---|
| 12 x 6 inches | 5.0 cu ft | 12 |
| 12 x 8 inches | 6.7 cu ft | 15 |
| 16 x 8 inches | 8.9 cu ft | 20 |
| 18 x 8 inches | 10.0 cu ft | 23 |
| 24 x 12 inches | 20.0 cu ft | 45 |
How much does footing concrete cost?
Bags cost about $5 to $8 each, so a 40-foot 16-by-8-inch footing runs roughly $400 to $640 in bags. The same volume in ready-mix is about $230 of material at $175 per yard, plus a delivery fee – usually cheaper once you pass about one cubic yard, and much less labor. The calculator shows both so you can compare.
How deep and wide should a footing be?
Footing depth should reach below the local frost line and at least 6 to 8 inches into undisturbed soil. Width is typically at least twice the wall thickness – a 2×4 framed wall usually sits on a 12-inch-wide footing, while masonry walls need 16 inches or more. Building codes set minimums, so check locally before pouring.
What the estimate includes and does not include
This calculator covers concrete volume and material cost only. It does not include excavation, forms, rebar, vapor barriers, gravel, or labor. Structural footings should be designed and inspected per local code.
Frequently asked questions
Bags or ready-mix for a footing?
Ready-mix is usually cheaper and faster once the pour is close to one cubic yard or more. Below that, bags are simpler to handle and avoid short-load fees.
Does a footing need rebar?
Yes. Footings typically carry two continuous horizontal bars, with vertical bars tying into the wall or pier above. Use the rebar calculator to estimate material.
What concrete strength do footings need?
Residential footings commonly use 3,000 to 4,000 PSI concrete. Higher-strength mixes are needed only for engineered or heavy-load designs.
How much does a poured footing cost installed?
Installed footing work, including excavation and forms, commonly runs $20 to $40 per linear foot for a typical 16-by-8-inch residential footing. Get written quotes for anything structural.
Related tools
- Concrete column calculator – vertical pours above the footing
- Rebar calculator – reinforcement quantities
- Post hole concrete calculator – small pier pours
- Concrete price per yard – ready-mix costs and delivery
Sources and update policy
Estimate transparency
How this estimate was prepared
- Prepared by
- GoHomeCost Cost Data Team
- Last reviewed
- August 24, 2026
- Update cycle
- Public price inputs checked monthly
Calculation method: Project quantity is multiplied by editable low, typical, and high unit rates. Selected location adjustments, waste, fixed charges, and minimum-job rules are then applied and shown in the result.
Public references used on this page:
This is a planning estimate, not a quote or structural specification. Check product yields, local code, site conditions, and written contractor bids before purchasing materials or building.
Read the full methodology Report a price or calculation issue