How Much Concrete for a 24-Inch Round Footing 48 Inches Deep?
24" diameter × 48" deep round footing — 12.5664 cu ft, 0.4654 yd³, plus bag counts and planning totals
Exact volume and bag counts for a 24" round sonotube footing 48" deep. Includes 12.5664 cu ft (0.4654 yd³), exact bag counts, and a 10% waste planning total.
At 48 inches deep, this 24" diameter round sonotube footing is a narrow, deep cylinder pour. The finished concrete volume for the hole is 12.5664 cubic feet (0.4654 cubic yards).
Use this page to get the material numbers for one footing: exact bag counts, a 10% waste allowance, and notes on excavation depth and simple reinforcement. Bagged concrete is practical for this single 48" deep tube; plan accordingly if you pour several at once.
Quick Answer
Exact volume: 12.5664 cubic feet (0.4654 cubic yards).
Planning with 10% waste: 13.823 cubic feet (0.5119 cubic yards). Exact bag counts — 42 40-lb bags, 28 60-lb bags, or 21 80-lb bags. Planning counts with 10% waste — 47 40-lb bags, 31 60-lb bags, or 24 80-lb bags.
Need a custom estimate? Use the Footing Calculator. Browse footing size pages. All project pages.
How to Use This Footing Estimate
Quick steps to estimate and order material for this 24" × 48" round footing.
- Confirm the tube depth is 48" and diameter is 24" inside the form.
- Check the exact volume: 12.5664 cu ft per footing and note the 0.4654 yd³ conversion.
- Add a 10% waste allowance for mixing, spillage, and small over-pours.
- Decide between bagged concrete for single pours or bulk for multiple footings.
- If ordering multiple footings, multiply the planning cubic feet and bag counts before placing the order.
- Round up bag quantities to whole bags and schedule delivery/pickup for the day of the pour.
Formula
Use this round footing formula:
Volume (ft³) = π × Radius (ft) × Radius (ft) × Depth (ft)
3.1416 × 1 × 1 × 4 = 12.57 ft³
12.57 ÷ 27 = 0.47 yd³
If you add a 10% waste allowance, you should plan closer to 0.51 cubic yards.
Worked Example
Single footing example: before waste the footing needs 12.5664 cu ft (0.4654 yd³). With a 10% waste allowance plan on 13.823 cu ft (0.5119 yd³), which is 47 40-lb bags, 31 60-lb bags, or 24 80-lb bags.
Multiple footing example (3 footings): before waste the total is 37.6992 cu ft (1.3963 yd³). With 10% waste plan on 41.469 cu ft (1.5357 yd³), and order 141 40-lb bags, 93 60-lb bags, or 72 80-lb bags.
Bag Count Estimate
- 24 bags of 80 lb concrete mix
- 31 bags of 60 lb concrete mix
- 47 bags of 40 lb concrete mix
Always verify the actual yield on the product label before buying materials.
Bag Counts by Waste Buffer for 24" diameter × 48" deep
Pick a buffer based on site conditions: clean forms and accurate measurements can run leaner; rough subgrade or hard-to-reach pours need more cushion.
| Buffer | Volume (ft³) | 80 lb bags | 60 lb bags | 40 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No buffer | 12.57 | 21 | 28 | 42 |
| +5% typical DIY | 13.19 | 22 | 30 | 44 |
| +10% recommended | 13.82 | 24 | 31 | 47 |
| +15% rough conditions | 14.45 | 25 | 33 | 49 |
When Bagged Concrete vs Ready-Mix Makes Sense
For this exact 24" × 48" footing, bagged concrete is often simpler: one person can mix several 40-lb bags on site and finish a single tube without a truck. The exact single-footing counts are 42 40-lb bags (exact) or 47 with waste.
If you have several footings — often more than two or three at this depth — the total volume and handling time may make a small ready-mix delivery worth it. Ready-mix reduces on-site mixing labor but requires a minimum order and a place for the truck to discharge.
Common Uses for This Footing Size
This 24" diameter by 48" deep footing works for isolated post supports where a narrow, deep cylinder fits the layout: pergola posts, deck or porch post locations, sign posts, and similar single-point supports that need a small footprint.
Limits depend on applied load, soil bearing capacity, frost depth at your site, reinforcement (rebar or mesh), and your local permitting. Confirm the required depth and reinforcement with a design or building official before finalizing structural decisions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common estimating and ordering mistakes for this tube-style footing:
- Mixing inches and feet when calculating volume.
- Using the tube outer diameter instead of the poured inside diameter.
- Forgetting the 48" excavation depth when checking material needs.
- Ordering exact bags without adding a waste allowance.
- Underestimating the number of bags when rounding up to whole bags.
- Assuming the same approach for one footing and several — multiply first, then add waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact concrete volume for a 24" round footing 48" deep?
The exact volume is 12.5664 cubic feet, which is 0.4654 cubic yards.
How many bags of concrete mix do I need for one tube?
Exact bag counts are 42 40-lb bags, 28 60-lb bags, or 21 80-lb bags. With a 10% waste allowance order 47 40-lb, 31 60-lb, or 24 80-lb bags.
Why add a 10% waste allowance to the footprint volume?
The 10% covers spillage, small over-pours, variation in mixing, and slight measurement differences. It keeps you from running short during the pour.
Is a 24" × 48" footing adequate for a deck or pergola post?
It may work in some cases, especially for moderate loads, but adequacy depends on the load, soil bearing capacity, frost depth, and required reinforcement. Confirm specifics with the project plans or a qualified designer.
Keep Planning Your Concrete Project
Use the calculator, compare more footing pages, and review your estimate before buying materials.
Disclaimer: This page provides planning estimates only. Actual concrete needs vary with excavation accuracy, site conditions, local code requirements, bag yield, and supplier guidance. Always verify measurements before buying materials, and consult a qualified professional for structural or code-sensitive work.