PROJECT COST

Concrete Cost Calculator

Estimate the installed cost of a rectangular concrete slab by dimensions and thickness.

Updated: September 2026National EstimateMethodology & sources ↓
01

Your project details

Enter your measurements and scope.

National planning estimate. No ZIP code or personal details needed.

YOUR PROJECT ESTIMATEExample inputs

Estimated cost

$2,800

Typical · range midpoint

Low$2,400
Typical$2,800
High$3,200
Published unit assumption
$6–$8 per sq ft installed
Installed slab cost
$2,400–$3,200
Project area
400 sq ft

The selected thickness is a cost input, not a structural recommendation. Confirm thickness, base and reinforcement for the intended load and site conditions.

User inputs
Slab length (ft)
20
Slab width (ft)
20
Slab thickness
4-inch slab
Calculation assumptions
  • Installed slab range by thickness. Four inches is a source pricing category, not a design recommendation.
  • 20 ft × 20 ft = 400 sq ft, multiplied by the selected 4-inch slab installed rate. Typical is the arithmetic midpoint, not a measured average.
  • National Estimate. Actual labor and material costs vary significantly by location. High is a planning figure, not a price ceiling.
  • No unverified regional or project-detail price adjustments are applied.
Main cost drivers
  • Slab area and selected thickness determine the modeled installed range.
  • Base preparation, reinforcement and access can materially change a contractor quote.
  • Decorative finishes and removal of existing concrete need separate, non-overlapping prices.

Updated: September 2026 · National Estimate

For planning purposes only. Actual prices depend on local labor, materials, scope, access, permits and code requirements. Get a professional quote before committing to work.

UNDERSTAND YOUR ESTIMATE

How this calculator works

Multiply slab length by width to get square footage, then multiply that area by the published installed rate for the selected thickness. Demolition, grading, reinforcement, finish and access are intentionally left out of the form until compatible non-overlapping adjustments are verified.

Major factors affecting the result

  • Slab area and selected thickness determine the modeled installed range.
  • Base preparation, reinforcement and access can materially change a contractor quote.
  • Decorative finishes and removal of existing concrete need separate, non-overlapping prices.

Typical project ranges

2-inch slab

$4–$6 per sq ft installed

A pricing band, not a recommendation for structural use.

4-inch slab

$6–$8 per sq ft installed

Common source category for residential slab pricing.

6-inch slab

$8–$10 per sq ft installed

Thicker slab pricing before project-specific extras.

8-inch slab

$10–$12 per sq ft installed

Structural design and reinforcement remain outside the model.

A WORKED EXAMPLE

Put the numbers in context

A 20 × 20 ft slab has 400 sq ft. At the published 4-inch installed rate of $6–$8 per sq ft, the planning range is $2,400–$3,200 and the midpoint is $2,800.

What is not included

Demolition, disposal, grading, gravel base, reinforcement, pumping, permits, drainage corrections and decorative finishes are not added separately. The selected thickness is a pricing input, not an engineering recommendation.

When to get a professional quote

Use the result to organize your questions and compare the same scope across written quotes. Confirm inclusions, exclusions and site conditions with the person doing the work. For structural, electrical, HVAC or tree-hazard decisions, consult a qualified professional.

Frequently asked questions

Does this tell me how thick the slab should be?

No. Choose a thickness only after confirming the intended load, soil, reinforcement and local requirements with a qualified professional.

Are grading and old-concrete removal included?

No. They are excluded from the estimate and are not shown as calculator inputs until a verified non-overlapping adjustment is available.

Can I use this for irregular shapes?

Break the plan into rectangles, calculate each area separately and add the ranges. Curves and complex formwork may increase the quote.

Data sources & methodology

Last reviewed: September 2026.

Low and high use the linked published ranges. Typical is the arithmetic midpoint only when both bounds are closed. If a source prints an upper value with “+”, Typical is not calculated. No regional, material-quality or difficulty multiplier is applied. Source ranges may describe different scopes and should not be treated as guarantees.

2-inch slab

$4$6 per sq ft installed · HomeGuide cost guide

Installed slab range by thickness. The calculator does not determine whether 2 inches is suitable for the intended load.

Published February 3, 2026 · Accessed September 17, 2026 · Typical: derived midpoint

4-inch slab

$6$8 per sq ft installed · HomeGuide cost guide

Installed slab range by thickness. Four inches is a source pricing category, not a design recommendation.

Published February 3, 2026 · Accessed September 17, 2026 · Typical: derived midpoint

6-inch slab

$8$10 per sq ft installed · HomeGuide cost guide

Installed slab range by thickness. Reinforcement, base preparation and site conditions still require a project quote.

Published February 3, 2026 · Accessed September 17, 2026 · Typical: derived midpoint

8-inch slab

$10$12 per sq ft installed · HomeGuide cost guide

Installed slab range by thickness. Structural requirements must be confirmed for the intended use.

Published February 3, 2026 · Accessed September 17, 2026 · Typical: derived midpoint

Itemized charges without a verified, non-overlapping basis remain unpriced. “Quote needed” does not mean free. An installed baseline is never silently split into invented cost percentages.