Concrete Steps Calculator
Enter the number of steps, width, rise and run to get the concrete, bags and form material for solid poured steps, with an optional landing at the top, and a check against the building code.
Three steps 4 ft wide with a 7 in rise, an 11 in tread and a 3 ft landing at the top hold 1.38 cubic yards of concrete with 10% waste, which is 63 bags of 80-lb mix. Concrete for that runs about $485; a contractor charges about $300 to $700 per step, so $900 to $2,100 for three.
Concrete Steps
Meets IRC limits: rise ≤ 7.75 in, tread ≥ 10 in, width ≥ 36 in.
How Step Concrete Is Calculated
Large steps use a lot of concrete for their size. To save some, contractors often fill the core of a tall set of steps with compacted gravel or clean broken concrete, keeping at least 4 in of concrete over and around it. The calculator assumes solid steps, so it gives the most you would need.
Building Code Limits (IRC R311.7)
- Riser height: 7.75 in maximum, and all risers within 3/8 in of each other.
- Tread depth: 10 in minimum, front to back.
- Width: 36 in minimum.
- Landing: at least 36 in deep at the top, outside an exterior door.
- Handrail: needed with four or more risers.
A 7 in rise and 11 in tread is comfortable and passes everywhere. Local codes can differ; check before you pour.
What Concrete Steps Cost
| Steps (4 ft wide) | Concrete | 80-lb bags | DIY concrete | Contractor price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 steps (14 in rise) | 0.26 yd³ | 12 | $153 (bags) | $600–$1,400 |
| 3 steps (21 in rise) | 0.52 yd³ | 24 | $231 (bags) | $900–$2,100 |
| 4 steps (28 in rise) | 0.87 yd³ | 40 | $335 (bags) | $1,200–$2,800 |
| 5 steps (35 in rise) | 1.31 yd³ | 59 | $459 (bags) | $1,500–$3,500 |
Most of a contractor's price is the form work: each riser needs a board, and both sides need a stepped form braced against the pressure of wet concrete. Tearing out old steps, a handrail and a stamped or exposed-aggregate finish are extra.
Building Them to Last
- Use 3,500 PSI air-entrained concrete; steps are exposed to weather and de-icing salt.
- Tie the steps to the house foundation with rebar dowels, or leave a gap with expansion joint material so they can move on their own.
- Set them on compacted gravel, and in cold climates on footings below the frost line.
- Slope each tread about 1/8 in toward the front so water runs off.
- Form the risers with a 1 in bevel at the bottom so the trowel can finish the tread behind them.
Pouring a landing pad or walkway too? Price it with the slab cost calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Three solid steps 4 ft wide with a 7 in rise and 11 in tread take 0.52 cubic yards with 10% waste, or 24 bags of 80-lb mix. A 3 ft landing at the top raises that to 1.38 yd³ (63 bags).
About $300 to $700 per step for 4 ft wide steps built by a contractor, so $900 to $2,100 for three. Doing it yourself, the concrete alone for three steps with a landing costs about $485.
Under the IRC, risers can be at most 7.75 in and treads at least 10 in deep, on stairs at least 36 in wide. A 7 in rise and 11 in tread is a comfortable choice.
Yes, a few #3 or #4 bars in each step and dowels into the foundation keep cracks tight and tie the steps to the house. Unreinforced steps tend to crack and pull away.