How to Measure Concrete for Patios

Stamped Concrete Patio

Measuring the amount of concrete needed to make a patio involves volumetric calculations that can be done with any basic calculator. Then you have to convert these measurements to a volumetric amount that any concrete provider will understand. For this article, we will plan a concrete patio that is 25 feet long, 18 feet wide and 4 inches thick. Then we will determine how much concrete we need to order to build this patio.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure Calculator Pencil Paper

Instructions

How to Measure Concrete for Patios

1. Determine the dimensions of the patio.
   Have a helper hold one end of a tape measure at one end point of the patio site. Pull the reel end of a tape measure to the other end point of the length of the patio site and make a note of this length (25 feet long for this example). Do the same to measure the width of the patio site and make a note of the width (18 feet wide for this example). Then determine the desired thickness of the patio. For most patios, a 4-inch thickness is sufficient. If the patio will be used to store heavy objects or vehicles, a 5- or 6-inch thickness may be necessary.
   For this example, the patio measures 25 feet long x 18 feet wide x 4 inches thick.

2. Convert feet measurements into inch measurements:
   25 feet x 12 inches per foot = 300 inches
   18 feet x 12 inches per foot = 216 inches

3. Multiply each measurement to find the volume in inches:
   300 inches x 216 inches x 4 inches = 259,200 cubic inches

4. Convert the volume in cubic inches to the volume in cubic feet:
   12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches = 1 cubic foot
   12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches = 1728 cubic inches
   259,200 cubic inches / 1728 cubic inches = 150 cubic feet

5. Convert the volume in cubic feet to the volume that you need to order in cubic yards:
   3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet = 1 cubic yard
   3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet = 27 cubic feet
   150 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet = 5.556 cubic yards
   This is the amount of concrete required to make a 25 foot x 18 foot x 4 inch concrete patio.
   Concrete is sold and transported by the cubic yard. If you plan to have the concrete delivered on-site, this is the amount of concrete you need to order from your local concrete dealer.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchasing concrete in even cubic yard amounts could be less expensive than buying it in fractions of a yard. Use the remaining concrete for other projects around the yard.