Primary material
62 bags
80 lb concrete mix
Use the calculated bag count as your buying starting point, then verify yield and pallet limits with the store.
12 x 12 concrete slab
A 12 ft by 12 ft slab is 144 square feet. At 4 inches thick it needs about 1.96 cubic yards or 88 bags of 80 lb mix with 10% waste. Adjust thickness, waste, and price below, or see the 4/5/6 inch breakdown.
12 x 12 x 4 in
1.96 yd³
88 bags at 80 lb
Area
144 sq ft
12 ft x 12 ft
Material cost (4 in)
$293
ready-mix, material only
Estimated result
Concrete needed
1.36 yd³
36.7 ft³ with waste
80 lb bags
62
60 lb bags
82
Estimate only, not a quote. Verify product yield and price with your supplier.
12x12 by thickness
Thickness drives the volume. Patios and shed pads often use 4 inches; driveways and heavier loads step up to 5 or 6 inches. All figures include the default 10% waste.
| Thickness | Cubic yards | 80 lb bags | 60 lb bags | Ready-mix material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 in | 1.96 yd³ | 88 | 118 | $293 |
| 5 in | 2.44 yd³ | 110 | 147 | $367 |
| 6 in | 2.93 yd³ | 132 | 176 | $440 |
Want installed cost?
The figures here are material only. For labor, base prep, forms, and finishing, the concrete cost calculator gives a full installed range.
Shopping list
Use the calculated quantities as a starting cart, then compare store availability, delivery fees, pallet limits, and local ready-mix minimums before buying.
Primary material
62 bags
80 lb concrete mix
Use the calculated bag count as your buying starting point, then verify yield and pallet limits with the store.
Large pours
Ready-mix quote check
For high bag counts, compare the bagged route against local ready-mix minimums, delivery, access, and unload time.
Optional base
Gravel base
Base depth is project-specific. Estimate it separately before adding bags or bulk gravel to the order.
Optional forms
Forms and stakes
Plan lumber, stakes, screws, release, and bracing around the perimeter and any step-downs or curves.
Store buttons open retailer search results for now. Confirm exact product yield, pickup, delivery, and pallet rules before ordering.
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MeasureTwice may earn from display ads, retailer links, or contractor lead partners. Calculator results and formulas are not changed to favor a vendor. Read the disclosure.
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Formula shown
1. Area is fixed at 144 sq ft
12 ft x 12 ft = 144 sq ft
2. Volume in cubic feet
144 sq ft x (thickness in / 12)
3. Yards, waste, and bags
yd³ = ft³ / 27; bags = ceil(ft³ x (1 + waste) / bag yield)
Watch the edges
A thickened edge, a low subgrade spot, or over-excavation adds concrete fast. Bump the waste percentage up if the base is rough, and estimate any beam or haunch separately.
Sources
Reviewed for estimating accuracy
Last updated: June 25, 2026
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MeasureTwice may earn from display ads, retailer links, or contractor lead partners. Calculator results and formulas are not changed to favor a vendor. Read the disclosure.
FAQ
Bags, cubic yards, thickness, cost, and bags-vs-ready-mix for a 12 ft by 12 ft slab.
A 12 ft by 12 ft slab at 4 inches thick needs about 1.96 cubic yards with the default 10% waste. That is roughly 88 bags of 80 lb mix or 118 bags of 60 lb mix. At 5 inches it rises to 2.44 yd³ and at 6 inches to 2.93 yd³.
About 88 bags of 80 lb concrete mix for a 4 inch slab with 10% waste, 110 bags at 5 inches, and 132 bags at 6 inches. At that bag count most people order ready-mix instead.
A 12x12 slab is 144 square feet. At 4 inches that is about 1.96 cubic yards including 10% waste — typically a 2 to 2.5 yard ready-mix order once you round up. Check the supplier minimum load.
Material alone for a 4 inch 12x12 slab is roughly $293 by ready-mix or $506 in 80 lb bags at typical prices. Installed cost adds labor, base prep, forms, and finishing and varies by region — use the concrete cost calculator for a full installed range.
A 4 inch 12x12 slab needs around 88 bags, which is heavy mixing for one day. A slab this size is usually easier and more consistent with ready-mix, but compare the bag total against the ready-mix minimum and delivery fee.