Updated for 2025
Concrete Yardage Calculator
Calculate exactly how many cubic yards of concrete you need for slabs, walls, and footings.
Your Results
Cubic Yards Needed1.23yd³
With 10% Waste Factor1.36yd³
60lb Bags Equivalent82bags
80lb Bags Equivalent62bags
Estimated Delivery Cost$177(at $130/yd)
About this calculator
This concrete yardage calculator gives you the exact amount of ready-mix concrete you need for any common project — slabs, walls, footings, and round columns. The calculator automatically adds a 10% waste factor and converts the total into 60-pound and 80-pound bag equivalents in case you are mixing your own.
Most concrete suppliers require you to order in quarter-yard increments, with a minimum delivery typically between 1 and 3 yards. The "with waste factor" number is what you should actually order — concrete that comes up short on a pour is expensive to fix.
How to use it
- Select your project type — slab, wall, footing, or column.
- Enter the dimensions in feet (the calculator automatically converts thickness from inches).
- Set quantity if you have multiple identical pieces — for example, 4 fence post footings of the same size.
- Read the "With 10% Waste Factor" number — that is what to order from the supplier.
- For DIY mixes, use the bag count rows to know how many 60lb or 80lb bags to buy.
Frequently asked questions
Why add 10% waste?▾
Concrete pours always lose some volume to spillage, uneven subgrade, and forms that bow slightly under pressure. Suppliers and contractors universally recommend 10% extra to avoid running short. A short pour means a cold joint or an emergency second batch — both are expensive.
How thick should my concrete slab be?▾
Standard residential slabs are 4 inches thick. Driveways for cars are usually 4 inches. Driveways that need to support trucks or RVs should be 5 to 6 inches. Garage floors, patios, and walkways are typically 4 inches. Anything bearing structural load — like a foundation slab — is engineered to spec.
How many 80-pound bags equal one cubic yard?▾
One cubic yard of concrete equals approximately 45 bags of 80-pound concrete mix. For 60-pound bags, you need approximately 60 bags per cubic yard. Mixing this many bags by hand is extremely labor intensive — most pros recommend ordering ready-mix for anything over 1 cubic yard.
How much does a yard of concrete cost?▾
In 2025, ready-mix concrete delivered to your site averages $125 to $160 per cubic yard, depending on region and current cement prices. Short-load fees apply to orders under 5 yards and can add $50 to $100. Concrete pump trucks for difficult-access pours add $200 to $500 per hour.
Can I mix my own for a small project?▾
For projects under 1 cubic yard, mixing bags is usually cheaper than ordering ready-mix because of short-load fees. Above 1 cubic yard, ready-mix is almost always cheaper and faster. A standard rental mixer can mix about half a yard per hour.
What is the difference between a slab, footing, and footer?▾
A slab is a flat horizontal pour like a floor or driveway. A footing is a wider, deeper pour at the base of a foundation wall or column that spreads load over a larger area. "Footer" is the same thing — regional terminology. Footings are typically 8 to 12 inches thick and twice the width of the wall they support.
Does this account for rebar or wire mesh?▾
No — rebar and wire mesh take up negligible volume. The 10% waste factor in this calculator already covers small displacements. If your project uses heavy structural steel (column cages, mat foundations), reduce your concrete order by approximately 1% for the steel volume.
Disclaimer. Estimates are based on typical ready-mix concrete at 4,000 psi. Actual concrete needs vary based on subgrade compaction, form quality, and pour conditions. Always confirm with your supplier or contractor before ordering.