Concrete Stairs Calculator
Enter the number of steps, the rise, the run and the width to get the concrete needed for solid poured steps, in cubic yards and bags.
Enter sizes greater than zero.
Prices are US national ranges from published sources, checked September 23, 2026. Where the numbers come from.
How the stairs formula works
Solid steps poured on the ground are a stack of blocks. The bottom step is one rise tall, the next is two rises tall, and so on up to the top.
Cubic feet = width (ft) × run (ft) × rise (ft) × n(n + 1) ÷ 2, where n is the number of steps.
A landing at the top adds width × landing depth × the full height. Hollow or cantilevered steps use less concrete, so this is an upper bound.
Concrete for 2 to 6 steps
4 ft wide, 7 in rise, 11 in run, no landing, before waste.
| Steps | Total rise | Volume | 80 lb bags | Ready-mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 14 in | 0.24 cu yd | 11 | $38–$46 |
| 3 | 21 in | 0.48 cu yd | 22 | $76–$93 |
| 4 | 28 in | 0.79 cu yd | 36 | $125–$155 |
| 5 | 35 in | 1.19 cu yd | 54 | $190–$230 |
| 6 | 42 in | 1.66 cu yd | 75 | $265–$325 |
Ready-mix at $160–$195 per cubic yard[1], before delivery and short-load charges, which weigh heavily on loads this small.
Hiring it out: HomeGuide puts poured concrete steps at $200–$500 per step installed[5].
Frequently asked questions
How much concrete do I need for 3 steps?
Three solid steps, 4 ft wide with a 7 in rise and 11 in run, need 12.8 cubic feet: 0.48 cubic yards, or 22 bags of 80 lb before waste.
How do you calculate concrete for steps?
Treat each step as a block from the ground up. Step 1 is one rise tall, step 2 is two rises tall, and so on. Add them up: width × run × rise × (1 + 2 + … + n). The calculator does this and adds an optional top landing.
How much do concrete steps cost to install?
HomeGuide puts poured concrete steps at $200–$500 per step, or $1,000 to $5,000 for 5 to 10 steps. Precast steps cost less.
Sources
- Concrete Network, Concrete prices, updated 2026-07-14. Checked September 23, 2026.
- Quikrete, Concrete Mix No. 1101 data sheet, updated 2022-10. Checked September 23, 2026.
- The Home Depot, Quikrete 80 lb Concrete Mix. Figure as shown in the page's search listing; checked September 23, 2026.
- The Home Depot, Sakrete 80 lb Gray Concrete Mix. Figure as shown in the page's search listing; checked September 23, 2026.
- HomeGuide, Concrete steps cost. Figure as shown in the page's search listing; checked September 23, 2026.