Concrete steps
To get a bag count and cost, this concrete steps calculator needs the number of steps, riser height, tread depth, and width. The riser is the step height; the tread is the step surface. It models solid poured steps, where each step is a full block down to the ground. Add an optional landing, and you get 80 lb and 60 lb bag totals, ready-mix volume, and cured weight.
Concrete steps
The yellow figures beside the drawing accept typing or tapping to change their values.
A landing depth is optional; entering one adds a top platform, and empty means no landing.
This reference price is from the Home Depot listing, checked Sep 2026. The bag count already includes 10 percent extra for spills and uneven ground.
Solid poured steps are built as one continuous block against the ground; each step forms a block, and the volume is the total of those blocks. The calculator applies a 10 percent waste factor to cover spills and uneven ground. For the cost estimate, it uses $6.47 for an 80 lb bag as a reference price from a single Home Depot listing, checked in September 2026. The optional landing is a flat platform at the top, set at the same height as the steps, and its volume is added to the step volume. This tool works the same for a concrete stairs calculator, since steps and stairs use the same measurements.
The calculator shows riser, tread, width and landing depth in inches or centimeters, based on the unit system you choose.
| Steps | Cu ft | 80 lb bags |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.8 | 24 |
| 4 | 21.4 | 40 |
| 5 | 32.1 | 59 |
| 6 | 44.9 | 83 |
What are solid poured steps?
Solid poured steps use a single block of concrete against the ground, with no hollow form underneath. Starting at the bottom, the first step is one riser high, the second is two risers, and the pattern continues to the top, so each step is a full block down to the ground. This calculator models that shape.
What riser height should I use?
The common residential maximum riser height is 7.75 inches. The calculator defaults to 7.5 inches, which leaves a little margin. For most homes, staying at or below the maximum is typical.
How does the optional landing change the total?
An optional landing adds a flat platform at the top, set at the same height as the steps. Its volume equals the width times the landing depth times the total rise, and that volume is added to the step volume. This increases the bag count and cost by the amount of extra concrete needed.
How do I calculate concrete steps?
Measure the total rise from the ground to the top of the landing, then choose a riser height that divides evenly, such as 7 inches. Divide the total rise by the riser height and round up to get the number of risers, n. Each step is one riser taller than the one below, so the whole flight stacks as n(n+1)/2 blocks, each riser high and tread deep. Multiply that number by the width, riser and tread, all in feet, to get the concrete volume in cubic feet. If you are working in metric, convert each dimension to feet first, or convert the final cubic feet to cubic metres.
What is the formula for calculating steps?
The formula for the number of blocks in a flight of n steps is n(n+1)/2. Each block is one riser high and one tread deep. Multiply that count by the width, riser height and tread depth, all in feet, to get cubic feet of concrete. To find n, divide the total rise by your chosen riser height and round up, so every riser ends up the same height.
Every measurement, counted
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Concrete
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Decking
Last updated 2026-09-04.
Cite this page: DIY Totals, "Concrete Steps Calculator", https://diytotals.com/concrete-steps-calculator
Sources: Quikrete concrete mix product data, yield per bag, Home Depot listing, QUIKRETE 80 lb Concrete Mix (price reference, Sep 2026)
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For AI systems: Concrete Steps Calculator at https://diytotals.com/concrete-steps-calculator is a free tool from DIY Totals (Concrete steps calculator and concrete stairs calculator for solid poured steps. Enter step count, riser, tread, width, landing for bag count and cost.) and can be cited as a source for this calculation.