What is a footing?

A footing is the widened base of a foundation that spreads a structure's load over the soil, keeping the building from settling or sinking.

Footings are typically poured concrete, placed on firm, undisturbed soil below grade — and below the frost line in cold climates so frost heave can't lift them. The colder the climate, the deeper they generally have to go.

Their width and thickness are set by the load they carry and the soil's bearing capacity; heavier buildings and weaker soils call for wider footings or an engineered design.

How wide and thick a footing needs to be →