AsphaltTons.com — asphalt tonnage calculator

How Much Concrete for a 20x24 Patio?

For a 20x24 patio poured 4 inches thick, plan on about 5.93 cubic yards of concrete. That comes from 480 square feet times 0.333 feet of depth, divided by 27. How much concrete for a 20x24 patio at other thicknesses is in the table below.

Concrete calculator →

The math for a 20x24 patio

  1. Area: 20 ft × 24 ft = 480 sq ft.
  2. Thickness in feet: 4 in ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
  3. Volume: 480 × 0.333 = 160.0 cubic feet.
  4. Cubic yards: 160.0 ÷ 27 = 5.93 yd³.
  5. With 10% extra: 6.52 yd³.

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

Concrete for a 20x24 patio by thickness

ThicknessCubic feetCubic yardsYards +10%80 lb bags60 lb bags
4 in160.05.936.52267356
5 in200.07.418.15334445
6 in240.08.899.78400534

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 standard for a patio that sees foot traffic and furniture. Slope it about 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot away from the house so rain runs off, and go thicker under a hot tub or outdoor kitchen.

Placing the order

A cubic yard of concrete is 27 cubic feet and weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. Most ready-mix trucks carry up to about 9 to 10 yards, though local trucks and rules vary. If your total is under a yard or two, bagged mix or a short-load supplier may be cheaper.

Getting the ground ready

Uneven ground is the main reason pours run short. Every half inch of extra depth across the patio 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

Reinforcement does not stop cracks, but it holds them tight. Wire mesh or rebar set mid-depth on chairs is common for a patio that carries vehicles; fiber-reinforced mix is an option for light-duty slabs. Joints about 8 feet apart control where cracks form.

Questions people ask

How many yards of concrete for a 20x24 patio at 4 inches?

About 5.93 cubic yards, or 6.52 with 10 percent extra.

How many yards for a 20x24 patio at 6 inches?

About 8.89 cubic yards.

How many 80 lb bags for a 20x24 patio?

About 267 bags at 4 inches thick, before any waste allowance.

How many square feet is a 20x24 patio?

480 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