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Concrete Footing Calculator

Continuous footings and foundation trenches. US units, change any unit beside its field.

Measurements

Add up every run of footing.
%
Extra for cuts, breakage and spillage.

About this calculator

Estimate concrete for continuous (strip) footings under walls. Enter the total length of all runs, then the width and depth.

How it’s calculated

Volume = total length × width × depth, plus waste. For a rectangular building, the total length is roughly the perimeter. Measure along the centreline of the footing so the corners aren’t counted twice.

Worked example

With these inputs:

Total footing length
60 ft
Width
16 in
Depth
8 in
Supply as
Pre-mixed bags
Bag size
80 lb
Waste allowance
10%

the result is:

Concrete needed
2.17 cu yd
Net volume
1.98 cu yd
Plan area
80 sq ft
Ready-mix order (to ¼ yd)
2.25 cu yd
80 lb bag
98 bags

Tips from the trade

  • Dug trenches are rarely neat. Allow 10–15% waste, or more in sandy soil where the sides slump.
  • Footing size depends on the load and the soil. The IRC tables give minimums, but follow your plans.
  • Order ready-mix with a little spare. Running short on a footing pour leaves a cold joint.

Common questions

How do I measure a footing perimeter?

Add the centreline lengths of every wall run. For a simple rectangle, that is 2 × (length + width) minus 4 × the footing width.

Results are estimates for planning and pricing. Check quantities against your drawings, the manufacturer’s data and local building codes before ordering.