Concrete Calculator
Estimate the volume and weight of concrete needed to cover a given area or fill a form. Purchasing slightly more than the calculated result reduces the chance of running short on site.
FAQ for this calculator
- How many 80 lb bags equal one cubic yard?
- This tool assumes about 0.6 ft³ yield per 80 lb bag (~45 bags per cubic yard). Bag labels and mix design change yield—always round up and confirm with your supplier.
- Can I mix feet, inches, and meters in one calculation?
- Yes. Each dimension converts internally to feet before volume is computed, so you can enter metric thickness with imperial length, for example.
- Should I order exactly what the calculator shows?
- Usually no. Add waste (often 5–10%) for spillage, over-excavation, and pump line residue. Ready-mix plants also have minimum load sizes—call ahead.
- Is this enough for a structural permit package?
- No. Use it for planning and material takeoffs only. Engineered slabs, rebar schedules, PSI specs, and inspections still require licensed professionals and approved drawings.
How to use the Concrete calculator
This calculator estimates volume, weight, and premix bag counts for five common pour shapes. Each field has its own unit selector; results include an optional waste allowance.
- Choose a shape tab: Slab / wall, Column, Tube, Curb & gutter, or Stairs.
- Enter every required dimension (length, width, thickness, diameters, riser count, etc.) using ft, in, m, or cm per field.
- Set Quantity for identical pours and Extra waste (%)—5–10% is typical for field spillage and uneven subgrade.
- Tap Calculate to see cubic yards, cubic meters, cubic feet, estimated weight, and rounded-up 80 lb bag counts. Use Clear to reset the active shape.
When to use this calculator
- Backyard patio, garage slab, or rectangular footing before calling the ready-mix plant.
- Round deck piers, fence-post holes, or sonotube columns where diameter and depth are known.
- Donut-shaped footings, circular slabs, or hollow forms where outer and inner diameters differ.
- Street curb and gutter runs along a driveway or parking apron (verify your municipal cross-section detail).
- Entry or basement stairs when you need a ballpark wedge volume plus an optional top landing platform.
Examples & walkthrough
- Slab: 10 ft long × 10 ft wide × 4 in thick, Quantity 1, 5% waste → about 1.30 yd³ (roughly 59 eighty-pound bags).
- Column: 2 ft diameter × 4 ft deep, Quantity 1, 5% waste → about 0.49 yd³ (~22 eighty-pound bags).
- Tube: 4 ft outer diameter, 3 ft inner diameter, 1 ft height for a ring footing—useful when only the annulus is filled.
- Stairs: 5 risers, 7 in rise, 11 in run, 4 ft width, 3 ft platform depth—tap Calculate after switching to the Stairs tab.
Volumes are geometric estimates only—not a substitute for engineered drawings, soil reports, or supplier batch tickets.