Concrete Cost Calculator: Estimate Total Project Cost by the Yard
This concrete cost calculator totals your project budget from the cubic yards needed, the ready-mix price per yard, and delivery or short-load fees. Enter your slab size and local rate to see an accurate all-in estimate before you call the plant.
Estimated concrete
Estimates only. Add ~5–10% for waste. Bag yields: 40 lb ≈ 0.30, 60 lb ≈ 0.45, 80 lb ≈ 0.60 cu ft. Concrete ≈ 150 lb per cu ft.
How to Use the Concrete Cost Calculator
- 1
Enter your dimensions
Type the length, width and thickness of your slab, footing or pad and choose your units, feet, inches or meters.
- 2
Get instant volume
See the result in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters, plus weight, the moment you type, no page reloads.
- 3
Buy the right amount
We convert volume into the exact number of 40, 60 and 80 lb bags, truck loads and cost so you order without waste or shortfalls.
The formula
Total cost = (cubic feet ÷ 27 × 1.10 waste) × price/yd + delivery fee, where cubic feet = L(ft) × W(ft) × (T_in ÷ 12)
- ·L = slab length (ft)
- ·W = slab width (ft)
- ·T_in = thickness (inches)
- ·price/yd = ready-mix price per cubic yard (default $145)
- ·delivery fee = truck/short-load charge ($)
The calculator prices the ready-mix material by the yard and adds a delivery fee; it does not include labor, forms, or finishing. Expect the installed price to run well above the material price alone.
Worked examples
Example 1: 20 x 20 ft driveway, 4 in thick
- Cubic feet = 20 × 20 × (4 ÷ 12) = 133.33 ft³
- Yards = 133.33 ÷ 27 = 4.94, +10% waste = 5.43 yd³
- Material = 5.43 × $145 = $787
- Add $80 delivery = $867
Result: About $867 for ready-mix
Example 2: 30 x 40 ft shop slab, 6 in thick
- Cubic feet = 30 × 40 × (6 ÷ 12) = 600 ft³
- Yards = 600 ÷ 27 = 22.22, +10% waste = 24.44 yd³
- Material = 24.44 × $145 = $3,544
- Add $160 delivery (two trucks) = $3,704
Result: About $3,704 for ready-mix
Concrete calculators by project type
Concrete bag yield & coverage
How much mixed concrete a standard bag yields, and how far a cubic yard goes at common slab depths.
| Bag size | Yield (cu ft) | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 0.30 | 90 |
| 60 lb | 0.45 | 60 |
| 80 lb | 0.60 | 45 |
- 40 lb
- 60 lb
- 80 lb
Related guides
Concrete Cost Calculator FAQs
How much does a yard of concrete cost?
Ready-mix concrete typically costs about $125 to $165 per cubic yard, depending on your region and the PSI strength. Prices rise with higher-strength mixes and fuel or material surcharges.
How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway?
Material cost depends on the yards needed, so multiply your volume by the per-yard price and add delivery. A typical two-car driveway needs several cubic yards, and labor often doubles the finished cost.
Are there extra fees on top of the concrete price?
Yes, plants often add delivery charges, short-load fees for orders under a full truck, and sometimes fuel or environmental surcharges. This calculator lets you add those fees for a true total.
Is it cheaper to mix my own concrete with bags?
Bagged concrete can be cheaper for very small jobs, but it gets expensive and labor-intensive past about a cubic yard. It takes roughly 45 eighty-pound bags to equal one cubic yard of ready-mix.
How do I calculate the total cost of my concrete project?
Multiply your cubic yards by the price per yard, then add delivery and any short-load or surcharge fees. Rounding your order up slightly avoids running short mid-pour.
Does concrete strength affect the price?
Yes, higher-PSI mixes use more cement and cost more per yard, so a 4000 PSI mix runs above a 3000 PSI mix. Order only the strength your application actually requires.
What is the difference between the concrete price and the total installed cost?
The price this tool shows is for the ready-mix material delivered to your site, roughly $145 per cubic yard by default. The finished, installed cost also includes labor, forming, grading, reinforcement, and finishing, which often doubles or triples the material figure. Use the material estimate as your starting number, then add contractor labor separately.
How much does labor typically add to a concrete project?
Labor for forming, placing, and finishing commonly runs $3 to $8 per square foot depending on the finish and site conditions. On a simple slab, labor often equals or exceeds the cost of the concrete itself. Decorative finishes like stamping or coloring push the labor cost higher.
Does the price per yard drop for larger orders?
Yes, plants often quote a lower per-yard rate on larger continuous pours because the delivery and setup cost is spread across more volume. Small orders under a full truck usually carry a short-load surcharge instead. Ask your supplier for volume pricing when ordering more than a few trucks.
What is the price per cubic foot of concrete?
At the default $145 per cubic yard, one cubic foot works out to about $5.37 since a yard holds 27 cubic feet. Most suppliers sell and quote by the yard, not the foot, so the tool converts your volume to yards before pricing. Very small jobs are usually cheaper to cover with bagged concrete.
How much waste should I budget into the cost?
The calculator adds 10% by default to cover spillage, uneven subgrade, and over-excavation. Ordering exactly your calculated volume risks coming up short, which forces an expensive second delivery. Ten percent is standard for slabs, and you may want more on rough or sloped ground.
Are concrete pump fees included in the delivery price?
No, a pump truck is a separate rental, typically $600 to $1,200 for a half day, and is only needed when the truck cannot reach the pour directly. The delivery fee in this tool covers the ready-mix truck itself. Add pump costs on top if your site has restricted access.
How does slab thickness change my total cost?
Cost scales directly with volume, so going from a 4-inch to a 6-inch slab increases the concrete needed by 50% and raises the material cost by the same proportion. A 20 x 20 slab jumps from about 5.4 to 8.1 yards with that change. Thickness is set by the load the slab must carry, so do not thin it just to save money.