What is the minimum thickness of footing?

Author: Miss Citlalli Durgan II  |  Last update: Thursday, August 21, 2025

The minimum footing thickness is 6 inches. 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.

What is the standard thickness of a footing?

Required Footing Sizes

In most cases, a house should have a minimum footing of 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep, with foundations that are 8 to 10 inches thick. This should be enough to support house weight and resist lateral soil and water pressure.

What is the minimum thickness of footing on soil?

In reinforced and plain concrete footings, the thickness at the edge shall be not less than 150 mm for footings on soils.

What is the thumb rule for footing thickness?

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 are the minimum requirements for footings?

The minimum depth of footings below the surface of undisturbed soil, compacted fill material or controlled low strength material (CLSM) shall be 12 inches (305 mm). Where applicable, the requirements of CBC Section 1809.5 shall also be satisfied. The minimum width of footings shall be 12 inches (305 mm).

How to decide the size of footing? | Area of footing | Design of RCC footing | Civil Tutor

How deep do footers need to be?

Depth of Footings

Footings should extend to a minimum depth of 12 inches below previously undisturbed soil. Footings must also extend at least 12 inches below the frost line (the depth to which the ground freezes in winter) or be frost-protected.

How thick should a column footing be?

They are made not less than 1 1/2 times the projection of the slab beyond the face of the pier or column or the edge of the baseplate of a steel column. It should in no case be less than 150mm thick.

How wide and thick should a footer be?

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.

What is the minimum size of footing?

Concept: For footing: i) The thickness at the edge shall not be less than 150 mm for footings on soil and not less than 300 mm for footing on piles. ii) The depth of the foundation should be a minimum of 500 mm.

What is the minimum thickness for a spread footing in inches?

Spread footings shall be at least 8 inches (203 mm) in thickness.

What is the minimum depth of concrete in 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 difference between a footing and a foundation?

The footing is what's actually in contact with the ground, while the foundation is the structure that transfers the load to the earth. A simple way to visualize the difference when comparing it to the human body would be to view the footing as the actual feet of the legs and the foundation being the legs themselves.

What is the minimum thickness of a shallow foundation?

What is the minimum depth of shallow and deep foundations? Shallow foundations have a minimum depth of around 1 metre, while deep foundations usually start at depths exceeding 3 metres.

What is the minimum thickness at the edge of footing?

In reinforced and plain concrete footings, the thickness at the edge shall be not less than 150 mm for footings on soils. For footings on piles, the thickness at the edge shall be not less than 300 mm (30 cm) above the tops of piles.

How deep should footings be for steps?

Footings Required Where The Stairs Meet The Ground
  1. Footing Depth: 12" mimimum or to frost line.
  2. Footing Size: 10"x10" square, 12" diameter.
  3. Is This Necessary?

What is the minimum concrete cover for a footing?

Footings generally have a covering of 50 to 75 mm.

What is the minimum depth of a footing below the soil?

❖ Footings are required to extend below the ground surface a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm). This is considered a minimum depth to protect the footing from movement of the soil caused by freezing and thawing in mild climate areas.

What is the rule of thumb for concrete footing size?

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 calculate footing thickness?

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 minimum footing size?

Footings shall be a minimum of 8 inches by 24 inches (203 mm by 610 mm) for houses two and one-half stories and less. The footings for a three-story building shall be 10 inches by 24 inches (254 mm by 610 mm).

Do footings need gravel?

Footings typically must extend below the frost line to prevent shifting during freeze-thaw cycles. Dig footing holes about 6 inches deeper than required. Fill the bottom of the hole with 6 inches of gravel and compact the gravel with a 2x4 or wood post.

How thick should a footing be for a block wall?

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 thick do footers need to be?

Thickness shall be at least 8” thick. However, if the projection (P) is > 6”, the thickness shall be equal to P. Note: Where minimum footing width is 12-inches, a single Wythe of solid or fully grouted 12-inch concrete masonry units is permitted to be used.

What is the rule for column footing?

Spread Column Footings are constructed with typical footing heights between 8”-24” (20-61 cm) and footing widths of 24”-96” (61-244 cm). Spread Column Footings are commonly paired with column widths of 8”-24” (20-61 cm).

How deep are normal footings?

Footings need to be 600mm wide x 1m deep minimum,in some cases depending on ground quality/type,proximity of large trees footings are required to be up to 2m deep.

Previous article
How do you dissolve thick grease?
Next article
What size is an end table?