How Much Does Rebar Cost?
Standard Grade 60 carbon steel rebar costs roughly 0.45 to 1.35 dollars per linear foot in 2026, with the common #4 bar averaging about 0.55 to 0.85 dollars per foot. Priced by the ton, plain steel rebar runs about 1,000 to 2,000 dollars. Below are current prices by bar size, grade and coating, what a 20 foot stick costs, cheaper alternatives, and a calculator that turns your dimensions into linear feet, weight and cost.
Key takeaways
- Plain Grade 60 steel rebar costs about 0.45 to 1.35 dollars per linear foot in 2026; #4 bar averages 0.55 to 0.85 dollars per foot.
- A standard 20 foot stick runs about 10 dollars for #4, 16 dollars for #5 and 23 dollars for #6 at retail.
- Per ton, plain steel rebar is roughly 1,000 to 2,000 dollars; bulk orders cut the per-foot cost 20 to 30%.
- Grade 60 costs about 10 to 40% more than Grade 40; coatings add more: galvanized and epoxy-coated run 1.20 to 1.80 dollars per foot, stainless 3.50 to 8 dollars.
- Fiberglass (GFRP) rebar, about 0.65 to 2.50 dollars per foot, is the main rust-proof alternative for coastal or wet pours.
Rebar cost per foot by size in 2026
Rebar is priced two ways: per linear foot for small jobs and per ton for bulk orders. For plain, untreated steel rebar, expect about 0.45 to 1.35 dollars per linear foot across common sizes in 2026, with the half inch #4 bar, the workhorse of residential slabs and footings, averaging around 0.55 to 0.85 dollars per foot.
Bar size drives the price because thicker bars hold more steel. The numbering is simple: the size number is the diameter in eighths of an inch, so a #4 bar is four eighths, or half an inch. Heavier bars like #6 cost more per foot because they weigh more.
| Bar size | Diameter | Weight (lb/ft) | Cost per foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 | 3/8 in | 0.376 | 0.30 to 0.55 |
| #4 | 1/2 in | 0.668 | 0.55 to 0.85 |
| #5 | 5/8 in | 1.043 | 0.80 to 1.10 |
| #6 | 3/4 in | 1.502 | 1.10 to 1.50 |
To turn your slab or footing into total feet of rebar, bar weight and a cost estimate, enter the layout in the rebar calculator instead of pricing each piece by hand.
What a 20 ft stick of rebar costs
Rebar is sold in standard 20 foot lengths, and a 20 ft stick is the unit most home centers and yards quote. In early 2026 a national supplier survey put a 20 foot #4 stick at about 10 dollars, a #5 at about 16 dollars, and a #6 near 23 dollars, before tax and delivery.
| 20 ft stick | Approx. price | Cost per foot |
|---|---|---|
| #3 | 5.64 | 0.28 |
| #4 | 9.99 | 0.50 |
| #5 | 15.63 | 0.78 |
| #6 | 22.73 | 1.14 |
For 10 feet of rebar, simply halve those figures: about 5 dollars for #4 or 8 dollars for #5. Buy in full 20 foot lengths where you can, because supplier cut charges of 1.50 to 3 dollars per cut quietly raise your real cost per foot on short pieces.
Grade 40 vs grade 60 rebar pricing
Grade refers to the minimum yield strength of the steel, not its size. Grade 60 rebar has a 60,000 psi yield and is the default for most slabs, driveways and structural pours, while Grade 40 rebar at 40,000 psi suits patios and light, non-structural work.
Grade 60 typically costs about 10 to 40% more than Grade 40, depending on the supplier and the market. The weight per foot is identical between grades, so the premium buys tensile strength, not more steel. Many yards now stock mostly Grade 60 because it covers nearly every residential need.
Cost of coated and stainless steel rebar
Plain carbon steel rebar is fine for most dry, inland concrete, but it can rust where moisture and chlorides reach the steel. In humid or coastal areas, coated and alloy rebar resist corrosion and last far longer, at a higher price per foot.
| Rebar type | Cost per foot | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel | 0.40 to 1.25 | Standard dry slabs and footings |
| Galvanized (zinc) | 1.20 to 1.60 | Moderate corrosion resistance |
| Epoxy-coated | 1.20 to 1.80 | Driveways, pavement, bridges |
| Stainless steel | 3.50 to 8.00 | Coastal, marine, 75+ year life |
Galvanized rebar runs about 10 to 15% over plain steel, while the epoxy coating adds roughly 30 to 40%. Stainless is the premium choice at six to eight times the price of carbon steel, but the alloy can shrug off rust for 75 years or more, which makes it economical in harsh, hard to repair locations.
Rebar price per ton for bigger projects
For a big project, buying rebar by the ton beats per stick retail. Plain steel rebar runs roughly 1,000 to 2,000 dollars per ton in 2026, and large orders can land wholesale rates 20 to 30% below small retail pricing.
Converting between weight and length is where most estimates go wrong. One ton of #4 covers about 2,994 linear feet at 0.668 lb per foot, while a ton of #5 covers about 1,917 feet at 1.043 lb per foot. The breakdown in our rebar weight per foot chart shows how to move between feet, pounds and tons for any size.
If you are still choosing a bar size for a slab or driveway, the rebar size chart lays out diameter, weight and typical spacing so you order the right steel before you price it.
Cheaper alternatives and how to estimate your job
The most common cheaper alternative to rebar is welded wire mesh, which costs less and installs faster for thin, non-structural slabs like patios and sidewalks. For a rust-proof option, fiberglass (GFRP) rebar runs about 0.65 to 2.50 dollars per foot, weighs a quarter of steel, and never corrodes, though it is not a drop-in substitute where high tensile strength is required.
Welded wire mesh and fiber additives reinforce against shrinkage cracking, but they do not replace properly sized rebar in footings, retaining walls or anything carrying load. Match the reinforcement to what the pour actually has to hold.
To budget your own pour, multiply your total linear feet of bar by the per foot price for your chosen size, then add about 10% for laps and waste. The rebar calculator does this for slabs and footings, returning the bar count, total weight and an estimated cost so you can compare grades and coatings before you order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average price of rebar?
How much does a 20 ft stick of rebar cost?
What is a cheaper alternative to rebar?
How much does 10 feet of rebar cost?
Is grade 60 rebar worth the extra cost over grade 40?
References
- Rebar (Wikipedia)
- ASTM A615: Carbon-Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
- Harris Supply: A615 Grade 60 Rebar Specifications
- CRSI: Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute