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Concrete Steps Calculator

Use this concrete steps calculator to find how much concrete a set of solid steps takes, in cubic feet, cubic yards and pounds, with an optional landing slab.

  • Instant answer as you type
  • Nothing you type is sent anywhere
  • Worked example with clear steps

Your measurements

The limit of 50 is ours.
in
Fractions are fine, e.g. 7 3/4. 7 is an example value, not a recommendation: for code limits see the stair calculator. The limit of 24 is ours.
in
The tread depth. 11 is an example value, not a recommendation. The limit of 48 is ours.
in
The limit of 480 is ours.
%
Typical value, not a standard
Landing and cost (optional)

A landing slab at the top or bottom, and your supplier's price per cubic yard. Fill in all three landing boxes or none. We store and show no prices.

ft
ft
in
$ per yd³

Result

Calculated live
Concrete to order 10% extra, 14.12 ft³
0.52 yd³
Volume as measured 12.83 ft³
0.48 yd³
The steps alone 3 steps, each poured solid to the grade
12.83 ft³
Weight of the pour 0.95 tons at 4,000 lb per yd³, no extra
1,901 lb

Based on NIST SP 811 NRMCA CIP 31 NRMCA CIP 11 QUIKRETE data sheet Full list of sources

Assumptions and constants

You can change

The limits on the other boxes, such as the largest size you can enter, are ours, not from a source.

Extra concrete to order Typical value

%
Same as the box in the form above

NRMCA says to order about 4% to 10% more concrete than the plan dimensions give. 10% is the top of that range.

Allowed range: 0 to 100 %.

Weight of one cubic yard of concrete Typical value

lb per yd³

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association says one cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4000 lb (2 short tons). A bagged mix can weigh a little less: check your bag or supplier.

Allowed range: 3,000 to 5,000 lb per yd³. The limits are ours.

Fixed values (exact definitions and references)

These are exact definitions and cannot be edited.

Cubic feet in a cubic yard Reference [1]

27 ft³ per yd³

3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft.

Inches in a foot Reference [1]

12 in per ft

The foot is 0.3048 m and the inch is 0.0254 m, both exact, so 12 inches make a foot.

How to use the concrete steps calculator

  1. Enter the Number of steps, the Rise of one step and the Run of one step, in inches.
  2. Enter the Width of the steps, in inches.
  3. Check Extra to order. For a landing, open Landing and cost (optional) and fill in all three landing boxes.
  4. Read Concrete to order and Volume as measured.
  5. Use Copy result or Print, and confirm the amount with your concrete supplier.

How to calculate concrete for steps

Solid steps are poured as one mass on firm ground. Step 1 is one rise tall, step 2 is two rises tall, step 3 is three, and so on. So the volume is width x rise x run x (1 + 2 + ... + n), with width, rise and run in inches, divided by 1,728 (12 x 12 x 12) for cubic feet. [1] Divide by 27 for cubic yards.

How much concrete for steps?

NRMCA says to order about 4% to 10% more concrete than a calculation of the plan dimensions gives, and that concrete is sold by the cubic yard. [2] This calculator starts at 10%, the top of that range.

Worked example

3 steps, each 7 in high and 11 in deep, 48 in wide. Step 1 is 1 rise tall, step 2 is 2 rises and step 3 is 3 rises, so the mass is 48 x 7 x 11 x (1 + 2 + 3) = 22,176 cubic inches. 22,176 / 1,728 = 12.83 cubic feet, which is 0.48 cubic yards. Adding 10% extra gives 0.52 cubic yards to order. At 4,000 pounds per cubic yard the pour weighs 1,901 pounds, or 0.95 tons.

Concrete steps from the side: rise 7 in, run 11 in, 3 steps A side view of three solid concrete steps rising from left to right. Each step is the same height and the same depth, and the steps are solid down to the ground. The height of one step, 7 in, is marked at the left and the depth of one step, 11 in, is marked below it. From the side Rise 7 in Run 11 in
Drawn to scale for a rise of 7 in and a run of 11 in. The steps are solid concrete down to the ground, which is how the calculator counts them. The width, 48 in, runs into the page.

Concrete by number of steps

The same rise, run and width as the example, for two to six steps. The volume grows faster than the number of steps, because every extra step is taller than the last. The sizes are examples to show the sum, not recommendations.

Concrete for steps, 7 in rise, 11 in run, 48 in wide
Steps Cubic feet Cubic yards With extra (yd³)
2 6.420.240.26
3 12.830.480.52
4 21.390.790.87
5 32.081.191.31
6 44.921.661.83

What rise and run should steps have?

This page does not give rise and run limits. The stair calculator on this site shows the riser and tread limits from the city documents we read, and your local building authority decides what applies.

Steps with a landing, on a slope or against a house

For a landing slab, open Landing and cost (optional) above and fill in all three boxes: the length, the width and the thickness. The landing is length x width x thickness, so a 4 ft x 3 ft landing 4 in thick is 4.00 cubic feet, which the calculator adds to the steps. For steps on a slope, count the rise from the lower ground to the upper floor.

How much do concrete steps weigh?

NRMCA says one cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4000 lb. [2] Multiply the cubic yards by it: the example steps weigh 1,901 pounds.

Pouring and curing

NRMCA says curing should continue for a sufficient period, typically 3 to 7 days. [3] QUIKRETE lists steps among the uses of its Concrete Mix, and says curing should continue for 5 days in warm weather at 70 °F or higher, or 7 days in colder weather at 50 °F to 70 °F. [4]

This page is not a how-to guide. We found no source for when you can walk on new steps, so ask your supplier.

How much do concrete steps cost?

We state no price. Ask local suppliers for a price per cubic yard, then enter it under Landing and cost (optional) above to see the total for the yards to order. The site does not store the prices you type.

Common mistakes and limits

  • Counting every step as one rise tall. In solid steps each step is taller than the one below, so 3 steps are 6 rise blocks (1 + 2 + 3), not 3.
  • Mixing units. Enter the rise, run and width in inches. Only the landing length and width are in feet.
  • Ordering exactly the volume. Ask your supplier how much extra to add for your job. The extra here starts at the top of the NRMCA range.
  • What this tool does not cover: footings, reinforcement, forms, frost advice and the rise and run limits.

Frequently asked questions

Do concrete steps need rebar?

We found no source we can cite for whether steps need reinforcing bar. Ask your local building authority or whoever designed the steps.

Do concrete steps need a footing?

We found no source we can cite for whether steps need a footing. Ask your local building authority.

How thick should concrete steps be?

We found no source we can cite for a thickness. This calculator pours the steps solid, so the rise and run set the volume. A different design, with a hollow under the steps, takes less concrete.

How long before you can walk on new concrete steps?

We found no source for a walking time. NRMCA says curing should continue for a sufficient period, typically 3 to 7 days. Ask your supplier when the steps can take foot traffic. [3]

How is the volume of solid steps worked out?

Step 1 is one rise tall, step 2 is two rises tall, and so on, so the steps are width x rise x run x (1 + 2 + ... + n). For 3 steps that is 6 blocks of rise x run x width.

Sources and references

  1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.8: Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically (SP 811, accessed November 2026). Used for: the inch and foot relationship and the 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard.
  2. National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). CIP 31, Ordering Ready Mixed Concrete (Concrete in Practice, PDF dated 2006, accessed November 2026). Used for: the weight of a cubic yard of concrete, and the 4% to 10% extra.
  3. National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). CIP 11, Curing In-Place Concrete (Concrete in Practice, accessed November 2026). Used for: the typical curing period.
  4. The QUIKRETE Companies. Data Sheet, Concrete Mix, Product No. 1101-40, -50, -60, -80, -90 (revised October 2022, accessed November 2026). Used for: steps as a listed use of the mix, and the curing days it gives.

How we use sources: methodology.

Estimates only. Confirm quantities with your supplier. See the disclaimer. Found a wrong result? Report an error.