Enter the total length of the run and the curb's cross-section (the height and width you'd see if you sliced through it).
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How to Estimate Concrete for a Curb
A curb is a long, narrow run of concrete, so the volume is its cross-sectional area multiplied by its length. Measure the height and width of the curb's profile, then the total distance it runs.
Curb Formula
Divide the result by 27 to get cubic yards. The calculator above does this for you and adds a 10% allowance for waste.
Typical Curb Sizes
- Landscape / garden curb: 4–6 in high × 4–6 in wide — separates beds from lawn
- Mountable street curb: 4–6 in high × 6–12 in wide with a sloped face
- Barrier (standup) curb: 6–8 in high × 6–8 in wide
- Parking lot wheel curb: 6 in high × 6 in wide is common
Curb and Gutter
If your curb includes an integral gutter pan, calculate the curb here, then add the gutter separately: gutter width × thickness × length, converted to cubic feet. Add the two volumes together for your total order.
Curb Concrete Cost Guide
Concrete curbing is usually priced per linear foot. Continuous "extruded" landscape curbing is a popular DIY and contractor option.
- DIY materials: roughly $1–$3 per linear foot for a small landscape curb
- Professional landscape curbing: $6–$14 per linear foot installed
- Street / structural curb & gutter: $15–$30+ per linear foot installed
| Curb Run | Approx. Concrete | DIY Material Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft × 6 in × 6 in | ~0.5 cu yd | $50–$150 |
| 100 ft × 6 in × 6 in | ~0.9 cu yd | $100–$300 |
| 150 ft × 6 in × 8 in | ~1.8 cu yd | $150–$450 |
Curb Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
Pro Tips
- Use a stiff mix. A low-slump (drier) mix holds the curb's shape as you form and tool it; a soupy mix slumps and loses the profile.
- Tie the sections together. Run a length of #3 rebar or drive steel pins through the curb to link segments and resist frost heave.
- Dampen the subgrade. Wet the base before placing so the dry soil doesn't pull water out of the mix.
- Joint it. Tool contraction joints roughly every 10 feet and add expansion joints where the curb meets structures or slabs.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Too-wet concrete. Excess water slumps the curb and weakens it — the most common curb-forming mistake.
- No base prep. A soft or frost-susceptible base lets the curb crack and lift.
- Forgetting the gutter volume. On curb-and-gutter, calculate the gutter pan separately and add it to your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate concrete for a curb?
Multiply the curb length (in feet) by its height and width (in feet), which gives cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. For a 50 ft run of 6 in × 6 in curb, that's 50 × 0.5 × 0.5 = 12.5 cubic feet, or about 0.46 cubic yards before overage.
How much concrete is in 100 feet of curb?
A 100-foot curb measuring 6 inches high by 6 inches wide contains about 25 cubic feet, or 0.93 cubic yards of concrete. A larger 6 × 8 inch curb of the same length holds roughly 1.2 cubic yards.
What mix should I use for landscape curbing?
A standard 3,000–4,000 PSI concrete mix works for most curbs. Continuous decorative curbing is usually made with a sand-heavy curb mix; bagged high-strength or crack-resistant concrete is fine for hand-formed curbs.
Do I need rebar in a concrete curb?
Short landscape curbs generally don't need rebar, though a length of #3 rebar or steel pins run through the curb adds strength and helps prevent heaving. Structural street curbs typically include rebar per local specs.