Patio cost per sq ft breakdown
Concrete Patio Cost per Square Foot Calculator
Answer first: concrete patio costs $6–$12 per square foot installed in 2026. Plain concrete: $6–$10/sq ft. Stamped: $12–$22/sq ft. A 12x12 patio: $864–$1,728. A 20x20 patio: $2,400–$4,800. Use this calculator to get total installed cost from any patio size.
12x12 patio (144 sq ft)
$6–$12/sq ft = $864–$1,728 installed
Plain broom finish. 4-in slab on 4-in gravel base. This is the most common patio size for urban lots. Ready-mix is not required at this size — bags are practical.
20x20 patio (400 sq ft)
$6–$12/sq ft = $2,400–$4,800 installed
Largest common residential patio. 5.43 yd³ with waste — ready-mix recommended. Add $1,200–$4,000 for stamped concrete, $500–$1,500 for drainage, or $800–$2,000 for a step-down.
Cost per sq ft by finish type
Plain: $6–$10 | Exposed aggregate: $8–$13 | Stamped: $12–$22/sq ft
Stamped concrete costs 2–3× more than plain but far less than natural stone ($20–$40/sq ft). Factor in resealing every 2–3 years ($1–$3/sq ft) when comparing long-term costs.
Total cost by patio size × finish type (2026)
12x12 plain: $864–$1,728 | 12x12 stamped: $1,728–$3,168 | 20x20 plain: $2,400–$4,800 | 20x20 stamped: $4,800–$8,800
These four scenarios cover 80% of residential patio requests. For comparison: 20x20 ft pavers cost $6,000–$12,000 installed — more expensive than concrete but easier to repair individual sections.
Interactive workflow
Run the numbers, then save or export the project
How much does a concrete patio cost per square foot?
A concrete patio costs $6–$12 per square foot installed in 2026 for a plain broom finish. Exposed aggregate: $8–$13/sq ft. Stamped concrete: $12–$22/sq ft. The 2026 national average for a standard patio is about $8–$9/sq ft. A 12x12 patio (144 sq ft) runs $864–$1,728 plain or $1,728–$3,168 stamped.
What is included in the per-sq-ft patio cost?
A complete per-sq-ft patio cost includes: excavation and grading, 4-in compacted gravel base, vapor barrier (if needed), 4-in concrete slab, reinforcement (mesh or rebar), finish (broom, trowel, or decorative), control joints every 8–12 ft, curing, and cleanup. Permits, landscaping restoration, drainage modifications, and decorative lighting are typically separate.
Is concrete cheaper than pavers per square foot?
Concrete is cheaper to install ($6–$12/sq ft vs $15–$30/sq ft for pavers). But pavers allow individual piece replacement when damaged, while a cracked concrete patio requires a visible patch. Over 20 years, the total cost of ownership is often comparable when you factor in concrete resealing vs occasional paver resetting.
What size patio do I need?
General guidelines: a 4-person dining set needs 12x12 ft (144 sq ft). A 6-person set with grill: 16x20 ft (320 sq ft). An outdoor living area with seating and dining: 20x20 ft (400 sq ft) minimum. If you have a hot tub, add 100–150 sq ft. Plan for at least 3 ft clearance around furniture and 5 ft from the house to any fire feature.
How long does a concrete patio last?
A properly installed concrete patio lasts 25–50 years. Lifespan factors: quality base prep (poor compaction is the top failure cause), control joints every 8–12 ft (without them, random cracking is likely), annual inspection and prompt crack sealing, and resealing every 3–5 years. In freeze-thaw climates, avoid de-icing salt — it causes surface scaling.
Why is my concrete patio quote higher than $12 per square foot?
Common reasons quotes exceed $12/sq ft: (1) Stamped finish — adds $3-$10/sq ft on top of base cost. (2) Poor site conditions — clay soil or tree roots add $2-$5/sq ft for extra prep. (3) Remote location — ready-mix delivery fee adds $100-$300. (4) Permit required — typically $100-$300. (5) Small job size — contractors often charge more per sq ft for jobs under 200 sq ft because setup and mobilization cost the same regardless of size.
How much more does a 20x20 patio cost than a 12x12 patio?
A 20x20 ft patio (400 sq ft) costs $2,400–$4,800 installed vs $864–$1,728 for a 12x12 ft (144 sq ft) — roughly 2.8× more in total, but the per-sq-ft cost is similar since the same equipment setup and mobilization is required. For stamped concrete, a 20x20 costs $4,800–$8,800 vs $1,728–$3,168 for a 12x12. The larger area actually gives you better per-sq-ft pricing since contractors price the small size at the higher end of the range.