Concrete Calculator — Cubic Yards, Bags & Cost

    Calculate exactly how much concrete you need for slabs, footings, columns, and stairs. Get instant results in cubic yards, number of pre-mixed bags (40, 60, and 80 lb), total weight, and estimated cost. Free to use — no signup required.

    $/ yd³

    How to Use

    1. Select your project type — slab, column, or stairs.
    2. Choose the unit your measurements are in.
    3. Enter your dimensions — fields adapt to your project type.
    4. Pick a waste factor — 10% is recommended for most pours.
    5. Optionally enter a price per cubic yard to get a cost estimate.
    6. Hit Calculate and get your results instantly.

    See our concrete coverage table for quick volume lookups. Planning a patio? See our full concrete patio cost guide for 2026 pricing.

    Quick Reference

    Common slab sizes at standard depth (no waste factor).

    SizeDepthCubic Yards
    4 × 4 ft4"0.20
    8 × 10 ft4"0.99
    10 × 10 ft4"1.23
    12 × 12 ft4"1.78
    20 × 20 ft4"4.94
    10 × 10 ft6"1.85

    Example Calculation

    Planning a 10×10 foot patio slab at 4 inches thick? You would need approximately 1.24 cubic yards of concrete. That works out to about 56 bags of 80-lb mix, 75 bags of 60-lb mix, or 112 bags of 40-lb mix. At a typical ready-mix price of $125–$175 per cubic yard, expect to spend roughly $155–$217 on materials. For anything over 1 cubic yard, calling your local batch plant for ready-mix delivery is usually cheaper and faster than mixing bags by hand.

    Common Concrete Volumes

    ProjectVolume
    4" slab, 10×10 ft1.24 yd³
    4" slab, 12×12 ft1.78 yd³
    6" slab, 10×10 ft1.85 yd³
    4" walkway, 3×20 ft0.74 yd³
    12" tube, 4 ft tall0.12 yd³
    Footing, 1×1×20 ft0.74 yd³

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many bags of concrete do I need for a 10×10 slab?

    For a 4-inch thick 10×10 slab, you need approximately 56 bags of 80-lb concrete mix, 75 bags of 60-lb mix, or 112 bags of 40-lb mix. That's about 1.24 cubic yards total.

    How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?

    Approximately 4,050 pounds, or roughly 2 tons.

    Should I use bags or order ready-mix?

    For jobs under 1 cubic yard, bags are practical and cost-effective. Over 1 yard, ready-mix delivery from a local batch plant is usually cheaper and saves significant labor.

    How much extra concrete should I order?

    Add 10% to your calculated amount to account for spillage, uneven subgrade, and form movement. Coming up short mid-pour is far more expensive than having a little extra.

    What thickness should a concrete slab be?

    4 inches is standard for patios, walkways, and most residential slabs. Use 5–6 inches for driveways and garage floors that support vehicle weight.

    How many 80-lb bags are in a cubic yard?

    Approximately 45 bags. Each 80-lb bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet, and there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard.

    Typical Results

    Sidewalk(4" thick × 3' wide × 20' long)0.75–1.0 cubic yards
    Patio(4" thick × 10' × 12')1.5–2.0 cubic yards
    Driveway(5" thick × 10' × 20')3.0–4.0 cubic yards
    Post hole(10" dia × 36" deep)0.03–0.05 yd³~1 bag

    💡 If your result seems too high, check that you entered thickness in inches, not feet.

    Common Mistakes

    • Entering thickness in feet instead of inches (4 feet vs 4 inches is a 12× difference)
    • Forgetting that post holes are cylinders, not rectangles
    • Not accounting for the sloped subgrade eating extra concrete at edges