The Concrete Footing Material Requirements Estimator calculates concrete volume for continuous rectangular footings using total footing length, footing width, and footing depth. It then applies an optional waste allowance and reports both cubic yards and cubic feet.
This is suited to early quantity takeoffs for strip footings and other continuous rectangular footing runs. Enter the combined centerline or measured footing length that matches your takeoff method, along with the specified width and depth. Pads, piers, steps, keyways, enlarged sections, and irregular excavation should be calculated separately when they are not represented by the same rectangular section.
1. Total the footing length
Add the continuous footing runs included in the takeoff and enter the combined length in feet.
2. Enter footing width
Use the designed footing width in inches.
3. Enter footing depth
Use the designed concrete depth in inches.
4. Set the waste allowance
Add a percentage if you want the planning quantity to exceed the theoretical volume.
5. Review base and adjusted volume
Use the base volume for geometric verification and the adjusted volume for material planning.
Total length — combined footing run length in feet
Width — rectangular footing width in inches
Depth — rectangular footing depth in inches
Waste % — optional material allowance
Assumptions: Each footing run is assumed to use the same rectangular cross-section represented by the entered width and depth.
The main result is the continuous-footing concrete volume after applying the selected waste allowance.
Calculate isolated pads, stepped footings, piers, or varying footing sizes separately and add them to the takeoff.
Given
Calculation
Width = 24 / 12 = 2.0 ft
Depth = 12 / 12 = 1.0 ft
Base volume = 180 × 2.0 × 1.0 = 360 ft³
Base volume = 360 / 27 = 13.333 yd³
Total = 13.333 × 1.07 = 14.267 yd³
Result
14.27 cubic yards including waste
Interpretation
The rectangular footing runs require 13.33 yd³ theoretically and about 14.27 yd³ after a 7% allowance.
Use the length convention that matches your takeoff and avoids double-counting at intersections. The calculator does not correct overlaps automatically.
Only if they share the same width and depth. For mixed sizes, calculate each section separately and sum the resulting volumes.
No. It calculates only the rectangular footing section represented by the entered length, width, and depth.
Break the stepped work into sections with their own lengths and dimensions, calculate each volume, and add the results.
Ready-mix concrete is commonly planned in cubic yards in U.S. construction. The calculator also displays cubic feet for cross-checking and smaller-quantity planning.