Concrete Calculator
Cubic yards, bags of mix, and cost for slabs, footings, and pads. Updated for 2026.
Last reviewed July 2026 · Free · Nothing you enter is stored
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Planning estimate using standard formulas and 2026 national average prices — confirm quantities with your supplier and get local quotes.
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How this calculator works
Volume is length × width × thickness converted to cubic yards (divide cubic feet by 27), plus a 10% waste allowance for uneven subgrade and spillage — the standard contractor practice. Bag counts use manufacturer yields: 0.60 cu ft per 80 lb bag, 0.45 cu ft per 60 lb bag. Ready-mix pricing uses the current national average of about $135 per cubic yard delivered (short-load fees can apply under 4 yards).
Frequently asked questions
How many 80 lb bags of concrete make a yard?
45 bags. Each 80 lb bag yields about 0.60 cubic feet, and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. For 60 lb bags it's 60 bags per yard. That's why ready-mix delivery usually wins for anything bigger than a small pad.
How thick should a concrete slab be?
4 inches for patios, sidewalks, and shed pads; 5–6 inches for driveways and anything that carries vehicles; 6–8 inches for RV pads, workshops with heavy equipment, and footings (check local code for footing depth).
How much does a yard of concrete cost in 2026?
Ready-mix runs about $119–$180 per cubic yard delivered, with a national average around $135. Small orders often carry a short-load fee of $50–$100. Bagged mix costs roughly $250+ per yard equivalent once you buy 45 bags — plus your mixing labor.
Should I add waste to my concrete order?
Yes — order 5–10% extra. Uneven ground, form deflection, and spillage eat concrete, and coming up half a yard short mid-pour is far more expensive than a little extra.
Local costs by state
Material and labor prices vary widely by region. Pick your state for cost estimates adjusted to local construction pricing:
- Alabama88% of national avg
- Alaska125% of national avg
- Arizona86% of national avg
- Arkansas80% of national avg
- California115% of national avg
- Colorado91% of national avg
- Connecticut118% of national avg
- Delaware105% of national avg
- District of Columbia102% of national avg
- Florida85% of national avg
- Georgia88% of national avg
- Hawaii120% of national avg
- Idaho88% of national avg
- Illinois110% of national avg
- Indiana90% of national avg
- Iowa97% of national avg
- Kansas90% of national avg
- Kentucky87% of national avg
- Louisiana82% of national avg
- Maine86% of national avg
- Maryland93% of national avg
- Massachusetts118% of national avg
- Michigan103% of national avg
- Minnesota106% of national avg
- Mississippi80% of national avg
- Missouri95% of national avg
- Montana91% of national avg
- Nebraska88% of national avg
- Nevada95% of national avg
- New Hampshire93% of national avg
- New Jersey111% of national avg
- New Mexico88% of national avg
- New York118% of national avg
- North Carolina80% of national avg
- North Dakota92% of national avg
- Ohio92% of national avg
- Oklahoma83% of national avg
- Oregon108% of national avg
- Pennsylvania96% of national avg
- Rhode Island107% of national avg
- South Carolina86% of national avg
- South Dakota89% of national avg
- Tennessee85% of national avg
- Texas82% of national avg
- Utah89% of national avg
- Vermont85% of national avg
- Virginia85% of national avg
- Washington105% of national avg
- West Virginia93% of national avg
- Wisconsin99% of national avg
- Wyoming90% of national avg
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