Rebar Spacing & Quantity Calculator

Linear feet of rebar needed for a slab grid, given dimensions and on-center spacing.

Inputs

Common: 12 in for residential slabs, 18 in for sidewalks.

Length lost where rebar pieces overlap; doubled if you have many splices.

Result

Rebar needed
546 linear ft
34 bars total at 12" O.C.
  • Long bars (run along length)13 × 21.0 ft = 273 LF
  • Short bars (run across width)21 × 13.0 ft = 273 LF
  • Slab area240 ft²

Step-by-step

  1. Long bars: ⌈12 ft ÷ 12" spacing⌉ + 1 = 13 bars, each 21.0 ft (incl. overlap).
  2. Short bars: ⌈20 ft ÷ 12" spacing⌉ + 1 = 21 bars, each 13.0 ft.
  3. Total = 273 + 273 = 546 linear feet.

How to use this calculator

  • Enter slab length and width.
  • Set the on-center spacing (typically 12-18 in).
  • Adjust overlap if your slab spans more than one rebar length (rebar comes in 20-ft sticks typically).

About this calculator

A rebar grid for a slab needs one bar at each spacing interval in both directions, plus one at the edges. The overlap accounts for splice length where two pieces meet (typically 40 × bar diameter, or 1-2 ft for #4/#5 bar). Add waste yourself when you order — 5-10% covers cut-offs.

Frequently asked

The distance from the center of one bar to the center of the next. 12" O.C. means a bar every 12 inches.

Related calculators