CONCRETE
How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost?
Break down the cost of a concrete slab: cubic yards, ready-mix price, forming, rebar and finishing — with the free concrete calculator.
A concrete slab is priced on three things: the volume of concrete you order, the local ready-mix price per cubic yard, and the labor and extras to form and finish it. This guide walks through each part and embeds the calculator so you can price a slab with your own numbers.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
A 4-inch concrete slab runs about $6–$12 per square foot installed, and the concrete material alone is about $120–$170 per cubic yard. A 20 × 10 ft slab (2.5 yd³) costs roughly $375 in concrete material before forming, rebar and finishing.
What drives the price of a concrete slab
The biggest cost is concrete volume, which comes from length, width and thickness. After that, the ready-mix price per yard, delivery minimums and your region set the material bill.
Labor and extras — forming, rebar or wire mesh, vapor barrier and finishing — can match or exceed the material cost on small slabs. Get those quoted separately so the total is realistic.
- Slab area and thickness (4 in is standard for light duty)
- Ready-mix price per cubic yard and delivery minimums
- Forming and stakes
- Rebar or wire mesh
- Finishing and curing labor
Concrete is sold by the cubic yard
Ready-mix is sold by the cubic yard — 27 cubic feet. Multiply length × width × (thickness in inches ÷ 12) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for yards. Add 5–10% for waste and order in full yards.
Try the calculator below with your exact dimensions.
Material vs. installed cost
The concrete material is only part of the bill. On a typical small slab, forming, rebar, finishing and cleanup can double the total. Always compare an installed price per square foot with a line-item breakdown so you know what you are paying for.
Keep the estimate honest
Order concrete with the waste allowance included, confirm the ready-mix plant minimums (some charge a short-load fee), and agree on finishing scope before the pour starts.