How much concrete is in a linear foot of curb and gutter?

A standard 6-inch barrier curb with 18-inch gutter pan uses about 1.0 ft³ per linear foot (curb: 0.25 ft³ + gutter: 0.75 ft³). This equates to roughly 0.037 cubic yards per linear foot.

What type of curb profile should I use?

Barrier curbs (vertical face) are used on streets and highways. Rolled curbs are common in residential subdivisions where driveway access is needed. Mountable curbs allow vehicles to drive over them and are used in parking lots and medians.

What PSI concrete is used for curb and gutter?

Curb and gutter typically uses 3,000–3,500 PSI air-entrained concrete. The air entrainment (5–7%) is critical for freeze-thaw durability since curbs are constantly exposed to moisture and deicing chemicals.

How long does curb concrete take to set?

Slipformed curb concrete sets quickly — the curb machine extrudes concrete that must hold its shape immediately. Typical set time is 4–6 hours before the curb can resist light contact, with full cure at 28 days.

Standard residential curb and gutter often uses no rebar or just a single #4 bar for continuity. Commercial and highway curbs may require #4 bars at 12–18 inch centers. Check your project specifications.

How are control joints placed in curb and gutter?

Control joints (tooled or sawed) are placed every 10 feet in straight runs and at tangent points of curves. Expansion joints are placed at structure connections and every 100–200 feet.

Concrete Curb & Gutter Calculator

Calculate concrete volume for curb and gutter installations. Enter cross-section dimensions and linear footage to get cubic yards.

Curb Height

Curb Width

Gutter Width

Gutter Thickness

Total Linear Length

Waste Factor

Cross-Section Area

1.000 ft²

Per Linear Foot

1.000 ft³

Total Volume

7.41 yd³

200.0 ft³

With Waste

7.78 yd³

Order this amount

Planning notes, formulas, and examples

About the Concrete Curb & Gutter Calculator

Curb and gutter systems manage stormwater runoff while defining road edges, parking lots, and driveways. Whether you're installing barrier curbs for a street project, rolled curbs for a residential development, or mountable curbs for a commercial parking lot, you need an accurate concrete volume estimate before placing your order.

This calculator takes the cross-section dimensions of your curb and gutter profile and multiplies by the total linear footage to compute the volume in cubic yards. Different curb profiles — barrier, rolled, and mountable — have different cross-sectional areas, and This calculator accounts for the most common configurations.

Curb and gutter work is typically performed by specialized contractors using curb machines (slipform extruders) or manual forms. Either way, you need to know the total volume to schedule your concrete delivery.

When This Page Helps

Curb and gutter profiles have irregular cross-sections that make manual volume calculation error-prone. This calculator breaks the profile into simple geometric shapes, computes the total cross-sectional area, and multiplies by your linear footage for a reliable volume estimate.

How to Use the Inputs

Enter the curb height (face height) in inches.
Enter the curb width (top to back) in inches.
Enter the gutter width in inches.
Enter the gutter thickness in inches.
Enter the total linear feet of curb and gutter.
Set a waste factor and review the total cubic yards.

Formula used

Curb area = Curb height × Curb width
Gutter area = Gutter width × Gutter thickness
Total cross-section = (Curb area + Gutter area) / 144
Volume (ft³) = Cross-section (ft²) × Length (ft)
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27

Example Calculation

Result: 3.89 cubic yards

Curb cross-section: 6 × 6 = 36 in². Gutter cross-section: 18 × 6 = 108 in². Total = 144 in² = 1.0 ft². At 200 linear feet: 200 ft³ = 7.41 yd³. With 5% waste: 7.78 yd³.

Tips & Best Practices

Standard barrier curb profiles are 6 inches tall with a 6-inch base; gutter pans are 18–24 inches wide.
Rolled curbs have a curved face and are typically 4–6 inches tall — use a slightly larger cross-section estimate.
Slipform curb machines can place 200–500 linear feet per day, so plan your concrete deliveries accordingly.
Order concrete with a 4–5 inch slump for machine placement; hand-formed curbs can use standard 4-inch slump.
Include extra length for curb returns at intersections and driveways.
Set control joints every 10 feet for straight runs to prevent random cracking.

Types of Curb and Gutter Profiles

Barrier curbs have a vertical or near-vertical face and are 6–8 inches tall. They prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway. Rolled curbs have a rounded profile that vehicles can mount at low speed, common in residential areas. Mountable curbs are low-profile (4 inches) and allow vehicle crossings.

Slipform vs. Hand-Formed Curbs

Slipform curb machines extrude concrete in a continuous operation, placing 200–500 LF per day. This is efficient for long runs. Hand-formed curbs use lumber or metal forms and are practical for short runs, curves, and speciality profiles.

Curb and Gutter Specifications

Most municipalities have standard curb and gutter details in their construction standards. Always verify the required profile, concrete strength, air entrainment, and joint spacing with the local jurisdiction before ordering materials.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated: February 8, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 6-inch barrier curb with 18-inch gutter pan uses about 1.0 ft³ per linear foot (curb: 0.25 ft³ + gutter: 0.75 ft³). This equates to roughly 0.037 cubic yards per linear foot.