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Length imperial. Weight lb. Currency USD. Weight uses 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg. Currency converts US-dollar planning prices and does not change volumes, counts, or geometry.

8 by 20 ft slab at 4 inches

Calculate the requirements for a residential concrete slab measuring 8 ft by 20 ft at 4 in thickness with #4 bars at 18 in spacing. Ensure compliance with IRC R506 standards.

Formula SSC-2026.1

Formula SSC-2026.1 · 4,000 PSI

Order volume

2.17 yd³

1.661 m³ placed+waste

Order weight

8,800 lb

3,992 kg

80 lb bags

98

3 pallets at 42 bags

60 lb bags

131

0.45 ft³ yield each

Rebar

232.00 ft

20 × 20 ft · 26 × 6 m · 170 lb

Ready-mix vs bags

$483.52

Truck $483.52 · 80 lb bags $661.50

Slab footprint and rebar gridLive scaled blueprint
8.00 ft20.00 ft#4 / 12 mm at 18 in OC · 4 in slab

Grid lines are equalized so the drawing stays readable. The order count uses on-center spacing with a bar at each end of the layout, then holds concrete cover in the field.

Bill of materials and shopping list
ItemNetWasteOrderUnit priceLine totalSource Spec Material / Tool
Ready-mix concrete1.98 yd³10%2.17 yd³ / 1.661 m³USD$358.52Source Spec Material / Tool
Short-load feeUnder 4 yd³—1 truck @ 10 yd³USD$125.00Source Spec Material / Tool
80 lb pre-mix bags88.9 bags10%98 bagsUSD$661.50Source Spec Material / Tool
60 lb pre-mix bags118.5 bags10%131 bagsUSD$707.40Source Spec Material / Tool
#4 rebar sticks, 20 ft20 sticks10%22 sticks / 26 × 6 mUSD$308.00Source Spec Material / Tool
Rebar chairs84 crossings10%93 chairsUSD$26.04Source Spec Material / Tool
Tie wire rolls84 ties10%1 rollsUSD$8.00Source Spec Material / Tool

Source links open a product search on the Amazon storefront for the selected currency. SiteSpecCalc may earn a commission. The link does not change the quantities above.

Ready-mix truck

$483.52

0.22 nominal 10 yd³ loads · 1 to order

80 lb bags

$661.50

60 lb alternative $707.40 · delivery weight 8,800 lb

Side-by-side thickness comparison at the same footprint
ThicknessOrder yd³Order m³80 lb bagsRebar ftReady-mix80 lb cost
4 in2.171.66198255$483.52$661.50
5 in2.722.077123255$573.15$830.25
6 in3.262.492147255$662.78$992.25
Show the deterministic formula

Slab ft³ = L × W × thickness ÷ 12. Thickened-edge extra = footing band × (footing depth − slab thickness), with corner squares counted once.

yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27. m³ = ft³ × 0.0283168. Weight uses 150 lb/ft³, then the header converts that pound total at 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg. 80 lb bags yield 0.6 ft³ and 60 lb bags yield 0.45 ft³. Currency changes the price labels only.

Bars across a span = floor(span ÷ spacing) + 1. Order sticks = that count, plus 10, 5, or 15 percent waste, cut from 20 ft and 6 m stock. Chairs = one per grid intersection.

Engineering notes

This calculator assists in determining the specifications for a residential concrete slab measuring 8 ft by 20 ft with a thickness of 4 inches. The design incorporates #4 rebar placed at 18-inch intervals to enhance structural integrity.

Please note that soil design considerations are excluded from this calculation. For complete compliance, refer to the International Residential Code (IRC) R506 for guidelines on concrete slabs.

Code reference

IRC R506

Field questions

What is the purpose of using #4 bars in the slab?
Using #4 bars helps to reinforce the concrete, providing additional strength and preventing cracking under load.
Why is soil design excluded from this calculation?
Soil design is a separate consideration that depends on the specific site conditions and should be evaluated by a qualified professional.
What thickness is recommended for a residential slab?
A thickness of 4 inches is commonly recommended for residential slabs, but this can vary based on load requirements and local codes.

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