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How Many Bags of Concrete for a 4x10 Slab?

Small pads like a 4x10 suit bagged mix. How many bags of concrete for a 4x10 slab at a standard 4-inch depth: 23 × 80 lb, or 30 × 60 lb, since each bag yields only about 0.6 or 0.45 cubic feet.

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How the bag count is figured

  1. Area: 4 × 10 = 40 sq ft.
  2. Volume at 4 in: 40 × 0.333 = 13.33 cu ft.
  3. 80 lb bags: 13.33 ÷ 0.60 = 22.2, round up to 23.
  4. 60 lb bags: 13.33 ÷ 0.45 = 29.6, round up to 30.

Check the yield printed on your brand’s bag, since it varies a little. The concrete calculator handles other shapes.

Bags by thickness for a 4x10 slab

ThicknessCubic feet80 lb bags60 lb bags40 lb bags
3 in10.00172334
4 in13.33233045
5 in16.67283856
6 in20.00344567

When bags make sense

Bags win on small pads because there is no delivery or short-load charge. The tradeoff is labor: 23 bags of 80 lb mix is 1,840 pounds to lift, pour and mix. A small drum mixer keeps batches consistent, and a helper keeps the pour moving so the edges do not set before the middle.

Before you mix

Dig out sod and soft soil, compact the bottom and add a few inches of compacted gravel. Set 2x4 forms level or with a slight slope for drainage, stake them every couple of feet and check the diagonals so the pad is square. Mix to a stiff, oatmeal-like consistency; extra water makes it easier to place but weaker.

Buying the bags

A pallet of 80 lb bags often holds around 40 to 42 bags, so this job is about 1 pallet or less. Buy one or two extra bags: returning an unopened bag is easier than running out mid-pour.

Questions people ask

How many 80 lb bags for a 4x10 slab?

About 23 bags at 4 inches thick.

How many 60 lb bags for a 4x10 slab?

About 30 bags at 4 inches thick.

How many bags for a 4x10 slab 6 inches thick?

About 34 bags of 80 lb mix or 45 of 60 lb.

How much does an 80 lb bag of concrete yield?

About 0.6 cubic feet of mixed concrete.

How thick should the base under the slab be?

About 4 inches of compacted gravel is common for residential slabs, more on soft or poorly drained soil.

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