How Many Bags of Concrete for a 12×20 Slab?
A 12×20 foot slab — 240 square feet — at the standard 4-inch thickness needs 3.26 cubic yards of concrete: 147 bags of 80 lb or 196 bags of 60 lb, including 10% waste.
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Answer at a glance — 12×20 ft slab (240 sq ft)
| Thickness | Cu yards | 80 lb bags | 60 lb bags | 40 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5" | 2.85 cu yd | 129 | 172 | 257 |
| 4" | 3.26 cu yd | 147 | 196 | 294 |
| 5" | 4.07 cu yd | 184 | 245 | 367 |
| 6" | 4.89 cu yd | 221 | 294 | 441 |
All counts include 10% waste, rounded up.
How we calculated it
- Area = 12 × 20 = 240 sq ft
- Volume = 240 × 4 ÷ 12 = 80 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 80 ÷ 27 = 2.96 cu yd
- With 10% waste = 3.26 cu yd
- 80 lb bags (45 per cu yd) → 147 bags
Bags vs. ready-mix
At 3.26 cubic yards, ready-mix delivery is almost always cheaper and faster than bags. Budget for a pump truck if the pour site isn't truck-accessible.
Thickness reference
| Use | Recommended thickness |
|---|---|
| Sidewalk, path | 4 inches |
| Patio, shed base | 4 inches |
| Driveway (cars) | 5 inches |
| Driveway (trucks/RVs) | 6 inches |
| Garage floor | 4–6 inches + rebar |
Use the Concrete Calculator to enter your exact dimensions and get a precise bag count and cost estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of concrete for a 12x20 slab?
A 12×20 ft slab (240 sq ft) at 4 inches thick needs 147 bags of 80 lb concrete or 196 bags of 60 lb. Includes a 10% waste factor.
How many cubic yards of concrete for a 12x20 slab?
At 4 inches thick: 3.26 cubic yards (with 10% waste). At 6 inches: 4.89 cu yd.
Should I use ready-mix or bags for a 12x20 slab?
At 3.26 cubic yards, get a ready-mix quote. Most suppliers have a minimum order — compare the per-yard price vs. bag costs before deciding.
How thick should a 12x20 concrete slab be?
For a patio or shed base: 4 inches. For a driveway with passenger cars: 5 inches. For heavy vehicles: 6 inches. Garages typically use 4–6 inches with wire mesh or rebar.
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