Concrete Steps Calculator
This works out how much concrete a solid set of outdoor steps needs. Enter the number of steps and their size, and the volume follows.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Each step is a column of concrete one rise high and one run deep, and the columns grow taller toward the top. Adding up the columns gives the rise times the run times the width, times the number of steps times one more than that number, divided by two.
Use the rise and run of the finished steps. A pad or footing under the bottom step is extra, so measure it on its own.
Worked example
A set of 4 steps, each 7 in high and 11 in deep and 36 in wide, takes 0.59 yd³ of concrete.
Questions
Do the steps need a footing?
Often yes, depending on the ground and frost where you live. Check local building rules, since a set of steps may need a footing or pad underneath.
Why does the total grow faster than the steps?
Each step sits on the ones below, so taller steps hold more concrete. The total grows faster than the number of steps.
Is the rise the same as the riser?
Yes. The rise is the height of one step, and the run is how deep each tread is.
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