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🧱 Concrete Calculator

Calculate exactly how much concrete you need for slabs, footings, columns, walls, and stairs. Get accurate cubic yards and bag counts.

Slab / Patio Calculator

Results

2.47 cubic yards
Total Concrete Needed
Cubic Feet
66.67
+10% Waste Factor
2.72 yd×
Area
200 sq ft
Est. Cost @ $125/yd×
$340

Bags Needed (Pre-mixed):

40 lb bags (0.011 yd×) 247 bags
60 lb bags (0.017 yd×) 160 bags
80 lb bags (0.022 yd×) 124 bags

Footing Calculator

Results

3.29 cubic yards
Total Concrete Needed
Cubic Feet
88.89
+10% Waste Factor
3.62 yd×

Bags Needed:

60 lb bags 213 bags
80 lb bags 165 bags

Column / Post Calculator

Results

0.35 cubic yards
Total for All Columns
Per Column
2.36 cu ft
+10% Waste
0.39 yd×

Bags Needed:

60 lb bags 23 bags
80 lb bags 18 bags

Wall Calculator

Results

3.95 cubic yards
Total Concrete Needed
Cubic Feet
106.67
+10% Waste
4.35 yd×
Wall Area
160 sq ft
Est. Cost
$544

Stairs Calculator

Results

0.45 cubic yards
Total Concrete Needed
Cubic Feet
12.2
+10% Waste
0.50 yd×
Total Rise
28 in
Total Run
44 in

Bags Needed:

80 lb bags 23 bags

Understanding Concrete Calculations

Accurate concrete estimation is crucial for any construction project. Order too little and you'll have delays; order too much and you waste money. This calculator helps you get it right.

Basic Formula:

Volume (cubic feet) = Length × Width × Height (all in feet)
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet × 27

Why Add 10% for Waste?

Pro Tip

For large projects, order 5-10% extra. For small projects or complex shapes, order 10-15% extra. It's always better to have a little left over than to run short mid-pour.

Recommended Concrete Thickness

Sidewalks

4 inches

Standard for pedestrian traffic

Patios

4 inches

Adequate for furniture and foot traffic

Driveways (Cars)

4-5 inches

Standard passenger vehicles

Driveways (Heavy)

5-6 inches

RVs, boats, trailers

Garage Floors

4-6 inches

Based on vehicle weight

Foundation Footings

8-12 inches

Depends on load and soil

Concrete Mix Types

Mix Type PSI Strength Best For
Standard Mix 2,500 PSI General purpose, patios, sidewalks
Crack-Resistant 4,000 PSI Driveways, high-traffic areas
High-Strength 5,000+ PSI Foundations, commercial applications
Fast-Setting 4,000 PSI Post setting, repairs (sets in 20-40 min)
Fiber-Reinforced 4,000+ PSI Floors, countertops, thin applications

Bags vs. Ready-Mix Concrete

When to Use Bags

When to Order Ready-Mix

Cost Comparison

Bagged concrete: ~$4-6 per 80 lb bag ($300-450 per cubic yard)
Ready-mix delivered: ~$125-175 per cubic yard (plus delivery fee)

Concrete Coverage & Mix Reference

Standard concrete coverage varies by thickness. Use this table to estimate material for common residential projects. A standard 60 lb bag of concrete mix covers approximately 0.45 cubic feet when mixed:

Thickness100 sq ft coverage60 lb bags needed80 lb bags neededCubic Yards
2 inches (walkway)100 sq ft37280.62
3 inches (patio)100 sq ft56420.93
4 inches (driveway/slab)100 sq ft75561.23
6 inches (heavy pad)100 sq ft112841.85

Concrete Mix Ratios by Application

ApplicationCement : Sand : AggregateTarget PSI
Footings / foundations1 : 3 : 33,000×4,000 PSI
Sidewalks / driveways1 : 2 : 33,500×4,000 PSI
Structural beams/columns1 : 1.5 : 34,000×5,000 PSI
Decorative / repair1 : 3 : 02,000×2,500 PSI
Order tip: Always add 10% extra to account for waste, spillage, and uneven ground. For projects over 1 cubic yard (27 cubic feet), ordering ready-mix concrete by the yard from a truck is typically cheaper and more consistent than mixing bags. Ready-mix costs $120×$200/cubic yard delivered (2026).

? Frequently Asked Questions

How many 80 lb bags of concrete make a cubic yard? +
Approximately 45 bags of 80 lb concrete mix are needed per cubic yard. Each 80 lb bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet, and there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (27 × 0.6 = 45 bags).
How thick should a concrete slab be? +
For most residential applications: 4 inches for sidewalks and patios, 4-5 inches for driveways with regular cars, and 5-6 inches for heavy vehicles or garage floors. Always pour thicker at edges and where heavy loads are expected.
How long does concrete take to cure? +
Concrete reaches about 70% strength in 7 days and 100% in 28 days. You can walk on it after 24-48 hours, drive on it after 7 days, and it's fully cured at 28 days. Keep it moist during the first week for optimal curing.
Do I need rebar or wire mesh? +
Reinforcement helps prevent cracking. Use welded wire mesh for slabs 4" or less, and rebar for thicker slabs or load-bearing structures. Place reinforcement in the middle-to-upper third of the slab thickness.
What's the difference between concrete and cement? +
Cement is just one ingredient in concrete. Concrete is a mixture of cement (binder), sand (fine aggregate), gravel (coarse aggregate), and water. Cement is about 10-15% of the concrete mix by volume.