Concrete patio calculator — base, concrete & total
A patio is two orders, not one: compacted gravel base, then the slab on top. Enter one set of dimensions and get both — base tons, concrete to order (or bags), and one combined materials cost at August 2026 prices.
Results
Order the base first, compact it in lifts with a plate compactor, form and level — then schedule the concrete.
Common patio sizes, both layers worked out
| Patio | Base (4″ compacted) | Concrete (4″ slab) | 80-lb bags | Materials est.* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 12 ft | 2.6 t | 1.75 yd³ | 67 | $300–$420 | Open › |
| 12 × 16 ft | 4.1 t | 2.75 yd³ | 107 | $473–$659 | Open › |
| 16 × 20 ft | 6.8 t | 4.5 yd³ | 178 | $775–$1,081 | Open › |
*Ready-mix at $145–$195/yd³ plus crusher run at $18–$30/ton — delivery ($50–$200) and short-load fees ($50–$150 under ~4 yd) come on top.
How this calculator works
Prices updated August 2026Slab: length × width × thickness ÷ 12 = ft³; ÷ 27 = yd³; +10% waste, rounded up to the quarter yard (an 80-lb bag yields 0.60 ft³). Base: the same volume math at your base depth, +15% compaction allowance, × 1.5 tons/yd³ for crusher run. Cost: ready-mix $145–$195/yd³ delivered and crusher run $18–$30/ton (August 2026 national ranges — full tables and sources on the slab and gravel calculators, which use identical math).
Common questions
What goes under a concrete patio?
4 inches of compacted road base / crusher run over firm, graded ground. The base is what keeps the slab from settling and cracking — skipping it to save a few hundred dollars is the classic patio mistake.
How much does a 12×16 concrete patio cost in materials?
About $473–$659 in materials at 2026 national averages: 2.75 yd³ of ready-mix to order plus ~4.1 tons of compacted base — before delivery fees and short-load charges. Hiring it out runs $6–$12/sq ft installed (≈$1,150–$2,300).
How thick should a concrete patio be?
4 inches is standard for foot traffic and furniture. Go 5 in where a vehicle could ever park on it, and thicken edges per local practice.
Concrete patio or pavers?
Poured concrete is usually cheaper up front and lower-maintenance; pavers cost more but repair invisibly and drain better. Both need the same compacted base — which this calculator sizes either way.