Concrete Calculator
Calculate how many cubic yards of concrete you need for a slab, footing, column, or stair pour. Includes bag count (60 lb & 80 lb), cost estimate, and weight.
📈 Ready-Mix Concrete Price Guide (2026)
| Type | Price / yd³ | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Ready-Mix (3000 PSI) | $130 | General slabs & footings |
| High-Strength (4000 PSI) | $150 | Driveways & heavy traffic |
| Fiber-Reinforced | $160 | Crack-resistant; walkways |
| Self-Consolidating | $175 | Tight rebar spacing |
| Stamped / Decorative | $200 | Patios; surface finish extra |
Indicative ranges only. Prices vary by region and supplier. Updated January 2026.
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Concrete Volume and Mix Guide
Ordering the right amount of concrete is critical — too little means the job stops and you pay for a second delivery; too much means you're paying for concrete you can't use. Always order 5–10% more than your calculated volume to account for spills, uneven subgrades, and settling.
Concrete Ordering Units
Ready-mix concrete is ordered by the cubic yard in the US (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 0.765 cubic meters). A standard concrete truck holds 8–10 cubic yards. Short loads (under 5 yards) often incur a surcharge of $50–$200. For small projects, consider renting a concrete mixer and ordering dry mix in bags — 60 lb bags yield about 0.45 cubic feet each; 80 lb bags yield about 0.60 cubic feet.
Concrete Thickness by Application
- Sidewalks and patios: 4 inches minimum (5–6 inches recommended)
- Driveways (passenger vehicles): 5–6 inches
- Driveways (heavy trucks): 6–8 inches
- Structural slabs and foundations: 6–12 inches with rebar reinforcement
- Footings: Below frost line + 6 inches deeper than code minimum
Reinforcement is critical for concrete under load. Use #4 rebar (1/2 inch) on 18-inch centers for driveways; 6×6 wire mesh is often sufficient for patios and sidewalks.
How to Calculate Concrete Volume
Concrete volume is measured in cubic yards (US) or cubic meters. For a rectangular slab: Volume = Length × Width × Thickness, then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. For a 10 ft × 12 ft patio at 4 inches thick: (10 × 12 × 0.333) ÷ 27 = 1.48 cubic yards. Always add 10% for waste, spills, and uneven subgrade. For footings (rectangular): Length × Width × Depth. For round columns: π × (radius²) × Height. Most ready-mix concrete companies have a minimum order of 1 cubic yard ($150–300), with per-yard prices of $125–200 depending on mix and region.
Concrete Mix Types and When to Use Them
Standard concrete mixes are rated by PSI (pounds per square inch) strength after 28 days of curing. 2,500 PSI: suitable for walkways and non-structural slabs. 3,000 PSI: the most common mix for residential driveways, patios, and garage floors. 3,500–4,000 PSI: structural foundations, footings, and walls in high-load applications. 5,000+ PSI: commercial applications and high-strength structural elements. For a typical DIY bag mix, an 80-lb bag makes approximately 0.6 cubic feet — you'd need about 45 bags per cubic yard, making bags cost-effective only for very small projects (under 0.5 cubic yards).
Concrete Project Planning Tips
Order concrete for large projects at least 48–72 hours in advance. Make sure your forms (wooden molds) are set and your subgrade is compacted before the truck arrives — ready-mix trucks can charge $1–2 per minute for waiting time. In hot weather (above 90°F), concrete sets faster, so plan for quick placement and use retarding admixtures if needed. In cold weather (below 40°F), concrete needs to be kept above freezing for at least 24 hours or it won't cure properly. Most residential slabs need control joints cut every 8–12 feet to prevent random cracking.
