How do I choose footing size?

Author: Mr. Clovis Hermiston Sr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 12, 2025

To determine the size of the footing, a simple formula is used: Structural Load (lbs) / Soil Capacity (psf) = Footing Surface Area Required (sq. ft.)

How to decide the size of footing?

Calculate footing size by determining vertical and horizontal loads, assessing soil bearing capacity, and selecting an appropriate type. Divide net load by soil bearing capacity to find footing area. Check local codes, consider settlement, and iterate as needed.

What is the rule of thumb for footing size?

Simple Gravel and Concrete Footing Design

The minimum footing thickness should not be less than the distance the footing extends outward from the edge of the foundation wall, or 6 inches, whichever is greater.

What is the formula for footing?

So, the area of the footing = (Total Load)/(Bearing Capacity).

What size footing is required for a foundation?

The minimum footing width is 12 inches. Calculation of footing size may result in a smaller footing but the code requires a minimum 12 x 6 or 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep footing.

How to decide size of RCC footing ? | Area of Footing | Design of Footing | Visual Civil

How do I know if my footings are deep enough?

The footing depth, on the other hand, is typically determined by the soil type and the extent to which you must dig before striking undisturbed soil. Still, we recommend that the depth of the footing extends to a minimum of 12 inches after you've hit undisturbed soil.

How wide should footing be for an 8 block?

Always make the footing at least twice as deep as the thickness of the wall and twice as wide (Fig. 2). For example, if you are using 8" blocks, the footing should be at least 8" deep and about 16" wide.

How do you estimate footing?

to measure the length, width, and thickness of the footing in metres. Then, multiply those measurements together to get the cubic metre volume of the beam. To calculate the amount of steel needed for the footing in kilograms, multiply the volume of concrete footing by 0.5% and the density of steel (7850 kg/m3 ).

What is the best ratio for footing?

1 part cement. 2 parts sand. 4 parts stone (aggregate by volume)

What is the size of footing for a 3 storey house?

For a 3-storey (G+2) house, using standard 9″ thick walls, it is recommended the minimum size of the Foundation for footing should be 5'× 5'× 5′ (1.5m x 1.5m×1.5m) with respect to length, breadth and depth. How deep is the foundation of a 4 story building ?

How far apart should footings be?

When measuring for where to place your footers, make sure that the holes will be square with your house and that they are are no more than 8-feet apart in either direction. This is a general recommendation to keep your deck as sturdy as possible.

What thickness of footings under columns or posts should be?

Footing thickness - 8 to 12 inches. Footing depth - varies based on frost line and soil strength (some footings can be shallow, while other must be deep)

What is the rule of thumb for concrete footings?

For every 2 feet of adjustment to the width of the house, add or subtract 2 inches of footing width and 1 inch of footing thickness (but not less than 6 inches thick).

How to design a footing for a building?

  1. Step 1 : Determine the size of footing. Assume self weight of footing equal to 10% of superimposed load. ...
  2. Step 2 : Net upward pressure. ...
  3. Step 3: Depth of the footing on the basis of BM. ...
  4. Step 4: Area of R/F. ...
  5. Step 5: Check for one way shear. ...
  6. Step 6: Check for two way shear.

What is the average size of a concrete footing?

A concrete footing should be 100mm deep by 300mm wide if the footing is for a free standing wall. The footing should be increased to 150mm deep and 450mm wide if the wall being built is a retaining wall.

How do I know what size footing I need?

To determine the size of the footing, a simple formula is used: Structural Load (lbs) / Soil Capacity (psf) = Footing Surface Area Required (sq. ft.)

How deep should a footing be poured?

A minimum of 12”inches deep for all footings and the width will be determined by the amount of stories, 12” inches for a single story, 15” inches for a two story and 23” inches for a three story. This is based on a soil bearing capacity of 1500(psf).

What thickness of concrete for footings?

The depth of concrete you need will depend on the use: footings for extensions, for example, will need to be at least 200mm thick, while around 100mm should be deep enough for a shed base.

What is the standard size of footing?

5 feet to 6x6 feet footing size. Similarly, a 2-storeyed one requires 5x5 feet and single storied will need 4x4 feet footing size. In case if the soil type is not provided for the design, it is essential to mention the footing sizes.

How do I work out how much concrete I need for footings?

You will want to:
  1. Determine how thick you want the concrete.
  2. Measure the length and width that you'd like to cover.
  3. Multiply the length by the width to determine square footage.
  4. Convert the thickness from inches to feet.
  5. Multiply the thickness in feet by the square footage to determine cubic feet.

Where do you measure footings from?

Minimum foundation depths should be measured from the reduced level where the reduced level will be the finished ground level.

How long should a footing cure before laying a block?

Before laying cinder blocks, pour a footing. This will serve as the foundation for the blocks. The footing should be poured below the frost line, which will vary according to the location. It should be allowed to cure for a minimum of seven days before installing blocks on top.

How wide do you dig footings?

Generally speaking, for domestic projects, the width of any strip or trench foundations should be at least 600mm wide. For strip foundations, the concrete base 'pad' should be a minimum of 150mm deep within a foundation hole that is at least 1 metre deep.

Do footings need rebar?

Rebar, short for reinforcing bar, is a critical component in concrete footing for any structure. It is a steel rod or wire mesh added to concrete to enhance its strength and durability.

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