AsphaltTons.com — asphalt tonnage calculator

How Much Concrete for a 15x48 Slab?

For a 15x48 slab poured 4 inches thick, plan on about 8.89 cubic yards of concrete. That comes from 720 square feet times 0.333 feet of depth, divided by 27. How much concrete for a 15x48 slab at other thicknesses is in the table below.

Concrete calculator →

The math for a 15x48 slab

  1. Area: 15 ft × 48 ft = 720 sq ft.
  2. Thickness in feet: 4 in ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
  3. Volume: 720 × 0.333 = 240.0 cubic feet.
  4. Cubic yards: 240.0 ÷ 27 = 8.89 yd³.
  5. With 10% extra: 9.78 yd³.

The concrete calculator runs the same steps for any size and thickness.

Concrete for a 15x48 slab by thickness

ThicknessCubic feetCubic yardsYards +10%80 lb bags60 lb bags
4 in240.08.899.78400534
5 in300.011.1112.22500667
6 in360.013.3314.67600800

Bag counts assume about 0.60 cubic feet per 80 lb bag and 0.45 per 60 lb bag, rounded up.

Thickness for this job

Four inches is the usual thickness for patios, walks and shed floors. Slabs that carry cars or a heavy hot tub are often poured at 5 to 6 inches, and edges are sometimes thickened where loads concentrate.

Ordering ready-mix

Ready-mix is priced and batched by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet). Plants commonly add a small-load fee when an order is under a set minimum, so ask about it when you call. Ordering a little extra costs far less than a second truck.

Base and forms

Uneven ground is the main reason pours run short. Every half inch of extra depth across the slab adds concrete you did not plan for. Screed the base flat, check it with a string line and set the forms to finished height before the truck arrives.

Joints, mesh and rebar

Plan the joints before the pour. Panels close to square crack less than long, narrow ones, and joint spacing around 12 feet is typical for a 4-inch slab. Cut joints with a groover while the concrete is soft or with a saw within the first day.

Questions people ask

How many yards of concrete for a 15x48 slab at 4 inches?

About 8.89 cubic yards, or 9.78 with 10 percent extra.

How many yards for a 15x48 slab at 6 inches?

About 13.33 cubic yards.

How many 80 lb bags for a 15x48 slab?

About 400 bags at 4 inches thick, before any waste allowance.

How many square feet is a 15x48 slab?

720 square feet.

Should I add extra for waste?

Yes. Adding 5 to 10 percent covers uneven base, spillage and form bulges.

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.

Related guides

Open the concrete calculator → Asphalt tonnage calculator →

As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.

Related answers