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🔩 Rebar Reference

Rebar sizes, weights, grades, and specifications.


Rebar Size Chart

Standard Sizes (Imperial)

Bar SizeDiameter (in)Area (sq in)Weight (lb/ft)
#30.375 (3/8")0.110.376
#40.500 (1/2")0.200.668
#50.625 (5/8")0.311.043
#60.750 (3/4")0.441.502
#70.875 (7/8")0.602.044
#81.000 (1")0.792.670
#91.128 (1-1/8")1.003.400
#101.270 (1-1/4")1.274.303
#111.410 (1-3/8")1.565.313
#141.693 (1-3/4")2.257.650
#182.257 (2-1/4")4.0013.60
Size Naming

Bar numbers (#3, #4, etc.) represent the diameter in eighths of an inch.

  • #3 = 3/8"
  • #4 = 4/8" = 1/2"
  • #5 = 5/8"

Metric Rebar Sizes

Metric SizeDiameter (mm)Area (mm²)Weight (kg/m)Imperial Equiv
10M11.31000.785~#3
15M16.02001.570~#5
20M19.53002.355~#6
25M25.25003.925~#8
30M29.97005.495~#9
35M35.710007.850~#11
45M43.7150011.775~#14
55M56.4250019.625~#18

Rebar Grades

Standard Grades (ASTM A615)

GradeYield StrengthUse
Grade 4040,000 psiLight duty, non-structural
Grade 6060,000 psiMost common, general construction
Grade 7575,000 psiHigh-strength applications
Grade 8080,000 psiSeismic, high-load applications

Identification Marks

Rebar has rolled-in marks showing:

  1. Mill symbol - Manufacturer
  2. Bar size - Number
  3. Steel type - S = Carbon, W = Low-alloy, A = Axle
  4. Grade - One line = 60, Two lines = 75

Standard Lengths

TypeLength
Standard stock20 ft
Also available30 ft, 40 ft, 60 ft
CoilsContinuous (for spirals)

Coverage Requirements

Minimum Concrete Cover (Typical)

LocationCover
Concrete against earth3"
Concrete exposed to weather (#6 or larger)2"
Concrete exposed to weather (#5 or smaller)1-1/2"
Not exposed to weather (slabs, walls)3/4" to 1-1/2"
Columns, beams1-1/2"
Footings3"

Spacing Requirements

Minimum Clear Spacing

ConditionMinimum
Between parallel bars1" or bar diameter (larger)
Between layers1"
Bundled barsMust fit aggregate

Maximum Spacing (Typical)

ElementMaximum
Slab bars18" or 3× slab thickness
Wall bars18"
Temperature steel5× slab thickness or 18"

Lap Splice Lengths

Class B Splices (Most Common)

Bar SizeGrade 60 (Normal Concrete)
#312"
#415"
#519"
#623"
#727"
#830"
#939"
#1049"
#1160"

Actual splice length depends on concrete strength and bar location


Development Length

Minimum length bar must extend into concrete for full strength.

Bottom Bars (Grade 60, 3000 psi concrete)

Bar SizeDevelopment Length
#312"
#412"
#515"
#618"
#721"
#824"
#930"
#1038"
#1147"

Top bars require 1.3× these lengths


Bend Requirements

Standard Hook Dimensions

Bar Size90° Hook (Extension)180° Hook (Extension)Min Bend Diameter
#36"4"2-1/4"
#48"5"3"
#510"6"3-3/4"
#612"7"4-1/2"
#714"8"5-1/4"
#816"9"6"
#919"11"9"
#1022"13"10-1/8"
#1124"14"11-1/4"

Estimating Quantities

Weight per 100 LF

Bar SizeWeight (lbs)
#337.6
#466.8
#5104.3
#6150.2
#7204.4
#8267.0
#9340.0
#10430.3
#11531.3

Quick Estimating

Slab on grade (typical):

  • Light duty: 0.5-1.0 lb/SF
  • Normal: 1.0-1.5 lb/SF
  • Heavy duty: 1.5-2.5 lb/SF

Footings (typical):

  • 2-4 lb/SF of footing area

Walls:

  • 1-2 lb/SF of wall area

Welded Wire Reinforcement (WWR)

Common Styles

StyleWire SizeSpacingWeight (lb/100 SF)
6×6-W1.4×W1.4Light6"×6"21
6×6-W2.1×W2.1Medium6"×6"30
6×6-W2.9×W2.9Heavy6"×6"42
4×4-W1.4×W1.4Light4"×4"31
4×4-W2.1×W2.1Medium4"×4"44
4×4-W2.9×W2.9Heavy4"×4"62

Style format: Spacing × Spacing - Wire Size × Wire Size


Epoxy-Coated Rebar

When Required

  • Parking structures
  • Bridge decks
  • Marine environments
  • Corrosive conditions

Handling Notes

  • Don't drag on ground
  • Repair damaged coating
  • Use coated tie wire
  • Extra development length required