Calculate concrete volume, materials, and costs for your patio project. Supports rectangular and circular shapes with five finish options. Get accurate estimates for bags, cubic yards, wire mesh, and total installed cost.
Patio Details
Patio Shape
Finish Type
10% typical for patios
Ready to calculate
Enter your patio dimensions for a full cost estimate
Last updated March 2026 by our expert review team
Includes materials, labor, and finish. Prices reflect national averages for 2025 to 2026.
Ehsan Ghazanfari
Licensed Structural Engineer
FISE-certified structural engineer with 11+ years designing bridges, retaining walls, and foundations. MSc from Aalto University.
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Certified Cost & Estimating Professional
AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.
See full profileUpdated March 2026
How we verify our calculators4 inches of concrete is the standard minimum for a patio. Go with 6 inches if you plan to put heavy furniture, a hot tub, or a fire pit on it.
Use our concrete slab calculator to estimate exact cubic yards before ordering a ready-mix truck. Over-ordering by even half a yard wastes $75 to $100.
Check our concrete cost calculator to compare patio costs against driveways, sidewalks, and other project types side by side.
Broom finish is the best value for patios. It costs almost nothing extra, provides good slip resistance when wet, and hides minor surface imperfections.
Stamped concrete mimics stone, brick, or slate at 40 to 60% less cost than real pavers. Budget for resealing every 2 to 3 years at about $0.50/sq ft.
Always slope your patio 1/8 inch per foot away from the house for drainage. A 12-foot patio needs a 1.5-inch drop from the house side to the far edge.
Replacing an old patio? Our concrete removal calculator estimates demolition and haul-away costs before the new pour.
Choose rectangular or circular shape. Enter your patio dimensions, thickness, and preferred finish type.
The calculator computes the patio area, then multiplies by thickness and your waste factor to get concrete volume in cubic feet and cubic yards.
Get bag counts (60-lb and 80-lb), wire mesh area, and a total installed cost range based on your selected finish.
Formulas
Rectangular: Area = Length x Width
Circular: Area = pi x (Diameter / 2)^2
Volume = Area x (Thickness / 12) x Waste Multiplier
Cubic Yards = Volume in cu ft / 27
How much does a concrete patio cost?
A standard broom-finish patio costs $8 to $14 per sq ft installed. A 192 sq ft (16x12) patio runs $1,536 to $2,688. Stamped or stained finishes increase this to $12 to $28 per sq ft.
How thick should a concrete patio be?
4 inches is the minimum for foot traffic and patio furniture. Use 6 inches if you plan to park a grill, hot tub, or heavy planters on it. Thicker concrete costs more but lasts decades longer.
Is stamped concrete worth it for a patio?
Stamped adds $7 to $14 per sq ft over broom finish but looks like natural stone or brick. It costs 40 to 60% less than real pavers. The tradeoff is resealing every 2 to 3 years.
How long does a concrete patio take to cure?
You can walk on it after 24 to 48 hours. Light furniture after 7 days. Full cure takes 28 days. Do not place heavy items or drive on it before then.
Do I need a permit for a concrete patio?
Most cities require a permit for patios over 200 sq ft or those attached to the house. Check your local building department. Permits typically cost $50 to $200.
What base prep does a concrete patio need?
Remove 6 to 8 inches of soil, then compact 4 inches of crushed gravel as a sub-base. This prevents settling, cracking, and frost heave. Skipping the base is the top cause of early patio failure.
What slope should a patio have for drainage?
Slope the patio 1/8 inch per linear foot away from the house. A 12-foot-wide patio should drop 1.5 inches from the house side to the far edge. This prevents water pooling and foundation damage.
Should I DIY my concrete patio or hire a pro?
DIY saves 40 to 50% on labor but requires renting a mixer, building forms, and finishing before the concrete sets. Patios under 100 sq ft are manageable for experienced DIYers. Larger patios or stamped finishes should be left to professionals.
100 sq ft at $8-14/sq ft. Perfect for a bistro table and two chairs. About 1.2 cubic yards of concrete with 10% waste.
192 sq ft at $8-14/sq ft. Fits a dining set for 6 with room for a grill. About 2.3 cubic yards of concrete with 10% waste.
320 sq ft at $15-28/sq ft. Full outdoor living space with dining, lounge, and cooking zones. About 3.9 cubic yards with 10% waste.
About 154 sq ft at $12-20/sq ft. Great around a fire pit or as a focal point in the yard. About 1.9 cubic yards with 10% waste.
Pouring too thin
A 3-inch patio will crack within a year under furniture and foot traffic. 4 inches is the absolute minimum. Use 6 inches for hot tubs or heavy planters.
Skipping the drainage slope
A flat patio pools water against your foundation. Always slope 1/8 inch per foot away from the house. A 12-foot patio needs a 1.5-inch drop.
Forgetting control joints
Concrete shrinks as it cures and will crack randomly without joints. Cut control joints every 8 to 10 feet in both directions within 24 hours of the pour.
Pouring in extreme weather
Temperatures below 40F or above 90F cause curing problems. Cold weather weakens the slab, hot weather causes surface cracking. Pour in spring or fall between 50 and 80 degrees.
No base preparation
Pouring directly on soil leads to settling and cracking. Remove 6 to 8 inches of topsoil, add 4 inches of compacted gravel, and use a plate compactor before forming.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.