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Concrete Calculator

Calculate concrete for slabs, footings, and round columns in cubic yards, cubic feet, or cubic meters. Estimate 40–80 lb bags plus optional safety allowance.

Read the complete step-by-step guide
Live calculator

Estimate cubic yards and premix bags for slabs, footings, and columns—matching Concrete Network. Switching units converts your current project.

Project dimensions

in

4″ is common for many light-duty residential slabs; required thickness depends on loads, soil, and local requirements

ft
ft
×

Number of identical slabs, footings, or columns

%

Many projects add a buffer for uneven subgrade, spillage, and waste

Volume of concrete

Cubic yards1.23 yd³
Cubic Feet33.33 ft³
Cubic Meters0.944 m³
Approx. weight4,938 lb (2,240 kg)

Approximate weight uses a normal-weight concrete density assumption of about 4,000 lb/yd³ (≈148 lb/ft³). Actual density varies by mix.

Tip: for a 4″ slab, yards ≈ square footage ÷ 81 (pro “magic number”).

How many pre-mix bags

40 lb bags112 bags
50 lb bags89 bags
60 lb bags75 bags
80 lb bags56 bags
ft³/bag

Enter the yield printed on your concrete-mix bag

Bag counts use typical approximate yields (40 lb ≈ 0.3 ft³, 50 lb ≈ 0.375 ft³, 60 lb ≈ 0.45 ft³, 80 lb ≈ 0.6 ft³). Verify the yield printed on your specific concrete-mix bag before purchasing. Counts always round up and include any safety allowance.

Formula

The Concrete Calculator estimates volume for slabs, footings, and round columns/piers, then converts to cubic yards, cubic meters, approximate weight, and premix bag counts. SLAB (US Customary) cubic_feet = length_ft × width_ft × (thickness_in ÷ 12) cubic_yards = cubic_feet ÷ 27 cubic_meters = cubic_feet × 0.028316846592 SLAB (Metric) cubic_meters = length_m × width_m × (thickness_cm ÷ 100) cubic_feet = cubic_meters ÷ 0.028316846592 cubic_yards = cubic_feet ÷ 27 FOOTING (US Customary — length in feet; width & depth in inches) cubic_feet = length_ft × (width_in ÷ 12) × (depth_in ÷ 12) cubic_yards = cubic_feet ÷ 27 ROUND COLUMN / PIER radius = diameter ÷ 2 volume = π × radius² × height (Enter diameter and height in the units shown for your unit system; the tool converts before applying the cylinder formula.) QUANTITY & SAFETY ALLOWANCE base_volume = volume_per_item × quantity adjusted_volume = base_volume × (1 + allowance% ÷ 100) BAGS (always round up) bags = ceil(adjusted_cubic_feet ÷ bag_yield_ft³) Typical approximate yields: 40 lb ≈ 0.30 ft³, 50 lb ≈ 0.375 ft³, 60 lb ≈ 0.45 ft³, 80 lb ≈ 0.60 ft³. Verify the yield on your bag. CONVERSIONS 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³ 1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³ APPROXIMATE WEIGHT weight ≈ volume_yd³ × 4,000 lb/yd³ (normal-weight density assumption ≈ 148 lb/ft³). Actual density varies by mix.

How to Calculate

How to calculate 1. Choose Slab, Footing, or Round Column/Pier. 2. Choose US Customary (ft, in) or Metric (m, cm). 3. Enter the project dimensions for the selected mode. 4. Enter Quantity if you need multiple identical slabs, footings, or columns. 5. Optionally add Extra / safety allowance (%) for uneven excavation, spillage, or waste. 6. Review cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters. 7. Review premix bag estimates (40 / 50 / 60 / 80 lb) and optional custom bag yield. 8. Verify bag yield and order quantities with your supplier before purchasing. Calculation notes Only the active mode’s dimensions affect the result. Intermediate math keeps full precision; display values are rounded separately. Bag counts always use Math.ceil so you do not under-order. Switching units converts the same physical project. Thickness note 4 inches is common for many residential patios, walkways, and light-duty slabs, but required thickness depends on project type, loads, soil conditions, reinforcement, engineering, and local requirements. This tool estimates volume—it does not replace structural design. How much area does one cubic yard of concrete cover? Thickness | Approx. coverage per yd³ 2 in | 162 sq ft 3 in | 108 sq ft 4 in | 81 sq ft 5 in | 64.8 sq ft 6 in | 54 sq ft 8 in | 40.5 sq ft 12 in | 27 sq ft Typical bag yields (verify your product label) Bag | Approx. yield | Approx. bags per yd³ 40 lb | 0.30 ft³ | 90 50 lb | 0.375 ft³ | 72 60 lb | 0.45 ft³ | 60 80 lb | 0.60 ft³ | 45

Examples

Example 1 — 10 × 10 slab, 4 inches thick Inputs: length 10 ft, width 10 ft, thickness 4 in, quantity 1, allowance 0%. cubic_feet = 10 × 10 × (4÷12) = 33.333… ft³ cubic_yards = 33.333… ÷ 27 ≈ 1.23 yd³ (display) cubic_meters ≈ 0.944 m³ 80 lb bags = ceil(33.333… ÷ 0.60) = 56 60 lb bags = 75; 40 lb bags = 112 Example 2 — Continuous footing Inputs: length 20 ft, width 12 in, depth 12 in. cubic_feet = 20 × (12÷12) × (12÷12) = 20 ft³ cubic_yards ≈ 0.74 yd³ 80 lb bags = ceil(20 ÷ 0.60) = 34 Example 3 — Round pier Inputs: diameter 12 in, height 48 in. radius = 0.5 ft; height = 4 ft volume = π × 0.5² × 4 ≈ 3.1416 ft³ ≈ 0.116 yd³ 80 lb bags = ceil(3.1416 ÷ 0.60) = 6 Example 4 — Safety allowance on the 10 × 10 slab Base ≈ 1.2346 yd³. With 10% allowance: 1.2346 × 1.10 ≈ 1.36 yd³. Bag counts use the adjusted cubic feet (always rounded up). Example 5 — Eight identical piers One pier ≈ 3.1416 ft³; eight piers ≈ 25.13 ft³ before allowance. Set Quantity to 8 in Round Column/Pier mode to scale yards and bags automatically.

About this calculator

The Concrete Calculator estimates volume for slabs, footings, and round columns or piers in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters. It supports US Customary and Metric inputs, quantity for identical items, optional safety allowance, premix bag estimates (40/50/60/80 lb plus custom yield), and approximate weight based on a normal-weight density assumption (~4,000 lb/yd³).

Slab, footing & column modes

Switch between slabs, continuous or pad footings, and round columns/piers. Only the active mode’s dimensions affect the result.

Yards, meters, bags & allowance

Review ready-mix yardage alongside bag counts. Quantity and Extra / safety allowance scale the recommended order volume; bag counts always round up.

Transparent assumptions

Bag yields and approximate weight use documented typical values—verify product labels and mix density before you buy. This is a planning estimate, not structural design.

Best for
  • Patios & walkways
  • Driveways
  • Footings & foundations
  • Deck piers
  • Fence posts
  • Garage slabs
  • Concrete pads
  • DIY concrete projects

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about this calculator—how it works, accuracy, and everyday use.

Choose Slab, Footing, or Round Column/Pier, then enter dimensions in US Customary or Metric. Volume for a slab is length × width × (thickness ÷ 12) in cubic feet, then ÷ 27 for cubic yards. For a 10×10 slab at 4 inches, that is about 1.23 yd³—or roughly 56 bags of 80 lb premix before any safety allowance.

At 4 inches thick: 10 × 10 × (4÷12) = 33.333 ft³ ≈ 1.23 yd³ (about 56 eighty-pound bags before allowance). At 6 inches: 50 ft³ ≈ 1.85 yd³ (about 84 eighty-pound bags). Use slab mode for your exact thickness, quantity, and optional safety allowance.

At 4 inches: 12 × 12 × (4÷12) = 48 ft³ ≈ 1.78 yd³. At 6 inches: 72 ft³ ≈ 2.67 yd³. Bag counts depend on bag yield—enter the same dimensions in the calculator for 40/50/60/80 lb estimates.

At 4 inches: 20 × 20 × (4÷12) = 133.333 ft³ ≈ 4.94 yd³. At 6 inches: 200 ft³ ≈ 7.41 yd³. Larger pours are usually ordered as ready-mix by the cubic yard rather than bags.

Cubic feet = length(ft) × width(ft) × (4÷12). Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. A quick planning shortcut for 4-inch slabs is square footage ÷ 81 ≈ cubic yards (because 27 ÷ (4/12) = 81). Always confirm with the full calculator when thickness, quantity, or allowance differs.

Cubic feet = length(ft) × width(ft) × (6÷12) = length × width × 0.5. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. One cubic yard covers about 54 sq ft at 6 inches thick (27 ÷ 0.5 = 54).

Pros often divide total square footage by 81 to estimate cubic yards for a 4″ pour. Example: 200 sq ft ÷ 81 ≈ 2.47 yd³. Use a safety allowance so you do not run short—required thickness still depends on loads, soil, reinforcement, and local requirements.

For a continuous footing with length in feet and width/depth in inches: cubic feet = length(ft) × (width_in÷12) × (depth_in÷12). Example: 20 ft × 12 in × 12 in = 20 ft³ ≈ 0.74 yd³ (about 34 eighty-pound bags). Use Footing mode and set Quantity for multiple identical pads.

Convert diameter and height to feet, then volume = π × (diameter÷2)² × height. Example: 12 in diameter × 48 in tall → radius 0.5 ft, height 4 ft → ≈ 3.14 ft³ ≈ 0.12 yd³ (about 6 eighty-pound bags). Multiply by Quantity for several identical piers.

Calculate one item, then multiply by Quantity (or set Quantity in the calculator). Eight identical 12 in × 48 in piers need about 8 × 3.14 = 25.13 ft³ before any safety allowance. Bag and yard totals scale with the adjusted volume.

Use Round Column/Pier mode with each pier’s diameter and height (or embedment depth), then set Quantity to the number of posts. Add a safety allowance for uneven excavation. Confirm pier size with your deck plan or local code—this tool estimates volume, not structural design.

It depends on bag yield. At typical approximate yields: about 90 of the 40 lb bags (0.30 ft³), 72 of the 50 lb bags (0.375 ft³), 60 of the 60 lb bags (0.45 ft³), or 45 of the 80 lb bags (0.60 ft³) per cubic yard (27 ft³). Always verify the yield printed on your bag.

An 80 lb bag that yields about 0.60 ft³ needs approximately 45 bags for one cubic yard (27 ÷ 0.60 = 45). Actual yield varies by product—check the manufacturer’s stated yield.

At an approximate yield of 0.45 ft³ per 60 lb bag, one cubic yard requires about 60 bags (27 ÷ 0.45 = 60). Confirm the yield on your specific mix.

At an approximate yield of 0.30 ft³ per 40 lb bag, one cubic yard requires about 90 bags (27 ÷ 0.30 = 90). Product yields differ—use the bag label when ordering.

Coverage depends on thickness. One cubic yard (27 ft³) covers about 162 sq ft at 2 in, 108 at 3 in, 81 at 4 in, 64.8 at 5 in, 54 at 6 in, 40.5 at 8 in, and 27 at 12 in. Formula: coverage_sqft = 27 ÷ (thickness_in ÷ 12).

About 81 sq ft. Calculation: 27 ft³ ÷ (4÷12 ft) = 81 sq ft per cubic yard at 4 inches thick.

About 54 sq ft. Calculation: 27 ft³ ÷ (6÷12 ft) = 54 sq ft per cubic yard at 6 inches thick.

Normal-weight concrete is commonly around 3,900–4,050 lb per cubic yard depending on the mix. This calculator’s approximate weight uses about 4,000 lb/yd³ (≈148 lb/ft³). Actual density varies by mix design and aggregate.

Usually yes. Measurement variation, uneven subgrade, spillage, form variation, and placement loss can leave you short. Use Extra / safety allowance (%) so adjusted volume = base × (1 + allowance% ÷ 100). Many projects use a modest buffer rather than ordering the exact calculated amount.

There is no single correct percent—it depends on site conditions and placement method. Enter a safety allowance in the calculator (often a small percentage for simple pads; more when excavation or forms are irregular). Do not force a non-zero default; choose a buffer that matches your risk of running short.

Divide cubic feet by 27. Example: 33.333 ft³ ÷ 27 ≈ 1.23 yd³. The calculator shows cubic feet, cubic yards, and cubic meters from the same exact volume.

Switch to Metric mode (m / cm inputs) or convert from cubic feet: 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³ and 1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³. Switching units converts your current project rather than replacing it with unrelated defaults.

Larger jobs such as driveways and garage slabs are usually easier with ready-mix by the yard. Smaller pads, footings, and piers are often practical with 40, 50, 60, or 80 lb bags. This tool shows both cubic yards and bag estimates so you can compare options.

It applies standard geometric volume formulas with full internal precision and rounds only for display. Results are planning estimates—real orders also depend on excavation, forms, reinforcement, mix, and placement. Verify bag yields and supplier quantities before purchasing.

Yes. Extra / safety allowance (%) defaults to 0%. When you enter a percentage, bag counts, recommended yards, and approximate weight use the adjusted volume. Base volume before allowance remains visible when an allowance is set.