Estimate concrete, gravel base, reinforcement, forms, joints, and cost for a shed or small equipment pad.
The shed-pad calculator opens the Slab / Pad planner with a shed-specific preset: a 10 × 12 ft slab at 4 inches thick over a 4-inch gravel base. It calculates concrete volume with a 5% order allowance, then reports bag quantities, ready-mix planning, base volume and weight, wire mesh or rebar, form lumber, control joints, and a rough material cost range. Enter the slab dimensions required by the shed manufacturer rather than relying on nominal shed size alone.
A basic pad may be enough for a light storage shed, while larger buildings, masonry walls, vehicle storage, heavy equipment, or concentrated point loads can require thickened edges, footings, higher concrete strength, or engineered reinforcement. Verify the required slab footprint, anchor layout, edge distance, and any recesses before forming.
Strip organic soil, prepare and compact the subgrade, and direct water away from the slab. In frost-prone areas, local rules may require a frost-protected foundation rather than a floating pad. The calculator estimates the rectangular slab and base only; add separate quantities for turned-down edges, ramps, piers, or footings.
At 4 inches thick, the design volume is about 1.48 cubic yards. With the preset’s 5% allowance, plan on about 1.56 cubic yards.
Use the foundation dimensions and anchor requirements supplied by the shed manufacturer. Nominal building size may not equal the required concrete footprint.