What is the standard depth of concrete footings?

Author: Joel Heidenreich PhD  |  Last update: Sunday, November 30, 2025

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).

How deep should concrete footings be?

As specified by ACI-318, a minimum of 3 inches of concrete cover over steel reinforcement is required when concrete is in contact with soil. In addition, ACI-318 does not permit a depth less than 6 inches for reinforced footings supported by soil.

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).

What is the minimum depth of 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).

What is the recommended thickness of footings?

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)

How Deep Do Foundations Need To Be For An Extension?

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 should be the depth of footing?

All foundations shall extend to a depth of at least 50 cm below the natural ground level. The minimum depth of footing on sandy soil is 0.8 - 1 m, for rocky soil, it is 0.05 - 0.5 m and for clayey soil, it is 0.9 - 1.6 m. The minimum depth of foundation for the load-bearing wall is 900 mm.

What is the standard footing size for a residential building?

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).

How far apart should rebar be in footing?

Generally, a minimum of two #4 bars are required for residential footing. The rebar should be placed in a grid pattern with a spacing of no more than 18 inches apart.

How far do you dig for footings?

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.

What is the standard mix for concrete footings?

A concrete mix of 1 part cement : 2 parts sand : 4 parts coarse aggregate (by volume) should be used for footings. Concrete must be placed within half an hour of mixing. Brickwork – Place your concrete into your trench. Work the concrete into awkward places and corners using a shovel.

Do you pour footings and slab at same time?

Between your foundation walls and resting on top of the footings lies your foundation slab: the giant piece of concrete which makes up your basement floor or subfloor. Each of these pieces must be poured and cure one at a time: a process that can take up to a week for each step.

What is the difference between a footer and a footing?

Footings are structural supports that are used in addition to a foundation. They help transfer the load's weight from the foundation into the soil. Footers are typically in direct contact with the ground, while the foundation is in contact with the footing.

How deep should footings be for extension?

For single-storey extension foundations, a concrete foundational depth of 150mm will suffice.

What is the minimum grade of concrete for footings?

It is important to note that IS 456 mandates that the minimum grade of concrete has to be M20 for RCC structures and buildings. Though some of the lower grades and its strength can be achieved by volume batching, it has to be designed.

What is the minimum depth of a footing?

Depth of footing above bottom reinforcement shall not be less than 150 mm for footings on soil, nor less than 300 mm for footings on piles.

How deep do concrete footings go?

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 is the maximum spacing between footings?

According to the rule of practice, the minimum allowable rebar diameter in a footing is Ø12 and the maximum acceptable spacing between the reinforcement bars is 150 mm. In certain occasions, the footing may have a reinforcement wire mesh both at its upper surface (see following figures).

How thick is a normal 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 rule of thumb for concrete 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 frost depth for footings?

❖ 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.

Can footings be too deep?

First off: Why you need accurate footings calculations

If you make your foundations too shallow or too deep, there is a risk to the integrity of the build, and a danger that any reinforcement, be it mesh panels or rebar rods, is positioned incorrectly, leading to reduced tensile strength and load-bearing capacity.

How do I know if my footings are deep enough?

You can find out by digging a hole next to the foundation and see how deep they go.

What is the effective depth of wall footing?

Strip Wall Footings are constructed with typical slab depths between 6”-8” (15-20 cm), footing widths of 12”-24” (30-61 cm), and lengths that vary as needed. Strip Wall Footings are commonly paired with column widths of 6”, 8”, 10” (15, 20, 25 cm).

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