Concrete & Masonry Calculator interactive tool
What Is Concrete & Masonry?
A concrete materials calculator is a specialized volume estimator used by contractors, landscapers, and DIYers to determine exactly how much concrete is required for slabs, patios, footings, and post holes.
Understanding Cubic Yards
In the construction industry, bulk concrete is ordered and delivered by the cubic yard.
- 1 cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (an area 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet deep).
- A standard ready-mix concrete truck holds between 8 and 10 cubic yards of concrete.
Bags vs. Bulk Delivery
For smaller projects, it is more economical to buy pre-mixed bags of concrete at a home improvement store. Our tool automatically converts your required volume into the number of standard bags you need to buy:
- It takes roughly 60 bags of 60 lb concrete to make one cubic yard.
- It takes roughly 45 bags of 80 lb concrete to make one cubic yard.
Pro Tip: You should always add a 5% to 10% waste factor to your final calculation. Subgrades are rarely perfectly level, forms may bow slightly, and spills happen. Running short on concrete during an active pour can ruin the structural integrity of the entire slab.
How To Use the Concrete & Masonry Calculator
- Choose the shape of your concrete pour (e.g., rectangular slab, circular column).
- Enter the dimensions of your project (length, width, and depth/thickness).
- The calculator will output the exact volume in cubic yards.
- Review the breakdown of how many pre-mixed bags (60lb or 80lb) you would need to buy.