Concrete Cost Per Square Foot (Slab, 2026)
Part of Concrete & Masonry
Quick answer
A poured concrete slab costs about $6–$15 per square foot installed (US national average, June 2026). Plain gray with a broom finish is cheapest; colored, exposed-aggregate and stamped finishes run higher. The concrete itself is only $125–$165 per cubic yard — most of the per-foot price is gravel base, reinforcement, forming and finishing labor.
Flatwork — patios, slabs, pads and walkways — is quoted per square foot installed because that one number bundles the concrete, the compacted base, the rebar or wire mesh, the forms and the finishing labor. Concrete is bought by the cubic yard, but you don't pour a yard; you pour an area at a thickness.
Installed cost per square foot by finish
| Finish | Installed / ft² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain gray (broom) | $6–$10 | Standard patio/pad |
| Colored / pigmented | $8–$12 | Integral or topical color |
| Exposed aggregate | $10–$15 | Washed to show stone |
| Stamped / decorative | $12–$18 | Patterned, mimics stone/brick |
Typical project cost (plain slab)
| Project | Area | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio | 200 ft² | $1,200–$2,000 |
| Standard patio | 400 ft² | $2,400–$4,000 |
| Shed / equipment pad | 120 ft² | $720–$1,200 |
| Garage floor | 400 ft² | $2,400–$4,000 |
To price your own slab: get the cubic yards from the concrete calculator (area × thickness), cost the concrete at $125–$165 per yard, then add base, mesh and finishing labor — or just multiply the area by a per-ft² figure above. A 4-inch slab is standard for patios and pads; step up to 5–6 inches for vehicle loads. Source: US national average installed-cost references. Last verified: June 2026.
FAQs
How much does a concrete patio cost per square foot?
A plain concrete patio runs about $6–$10 per square foot installed; stamped or colored patios run $10–$18. A 400 ft² patio is roughly $2,400–$4,000 plain, or $4,000–$7,200 stamped.
Why is concrete more per square foot than the concrete costs?
Because the slab price isn't just the mix. The ready-mix is $125–$165 a cubic yard — about $1.50–$2 per square foot of a 4-inch slab — and the rest of the $6–$15 per foot is the gravel base, reinforcement, forms, finishing labor and overhead.
Is it cheaper to pour concrete yourself?
For a small slab, yes — DIY drops the cost to mostly material (bags or a short-load delivery) plus your time. But finishing concrete well is skilled, time-sensitive work; a bad finish or cracked slab is expensive to redo.