Knowing how to calculate how much concrete you need for your project is crucial for success. An accurate concrete estimate helps you buy the right amount of concrete so you don’t run out halfway through the job or have too much left over after completion. Planning and calculating your concrete needs properly takes time and effort but is well worth it in the long run. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn how to accurately estimate how much concrete you need for any project.
Determine the Concrete Volume Needed
The first step in figuring out how much concrete you need is calculating the volume of concrete required in cubic feet or cubic yards. You need to carefully measure the area that will be poured with concrete and determine the depth the concrete needs to be.
Here are the basics of calculating concrete volume:
- Measure the length, width and depth of the area to be poured in feet. For irregular shapes, break the area down into rectangles and triangles to get the total square footage.
- For slabs and flatwork, multiply the length by the width by the thickness in inches divided by 12 to get volume in cubic feet.
- For footings and foundations, calculate the cubic feet for each section then add them together.
- For walls, multiply the length by the height by the thickness in inches divided by 12.
- Convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing cubic feet by 27. This gives you the concrete volume needed in the typical unit of measurement for ready mix delivery.
Performing these volume calculations correctly is critical for getting an accurate concrete quantity estimate. Take your time to measure precisely and calculate the volume needed for each section of your project. Once you know the cubic yards or cubic feet required, you can move on to the next steps.
Estimate Concrete Weight in Pounds
Now that you know the volume of concrete necessary, this must be converted to the weight in pounds of concrete required. This is done by multiplying the cubic yards by the density of concrete.
There are two standard densities used:
- 150 pounds per cubic foot – This is a good standard density to use for general concrete projects and will give you a good middle-ground estimate.
- 145 pounds per cubic foot – For lighter duty concrete work, such as 4,000 psi residential slabs, sidewalks and steps, 145 lbs per cubic foot density is commonly used.
- 160 pounds per cubic foot – For heavy structural concrete used in foundations, retaining walls and heavy industrial work, 160 lbs density more accurately reflects the heavier concrete mix required.
For most residential and commercial concrete projects using regular 4,000 psi mixes, the 150 pound per cubic foot density value is recommended.
To find the total weight in pounds, multiply the cubic yards of concrete by 150. This will tell you the estimated weight for the amount of concrete you need.
So for example, if you calculated you need 6 cubic yards of concrete, you would multiply:
6 cubic yards x 150 lbs per cubic foot = 900 lbs (6 cubic yards at standard density)
Use the density appropriate for the concrete strength and mix required for your particular project. Heavier mixes require heavier density standards.
Factor in Mix Design and Required Strength
Another consideration for your concrete quantity estimate is the mix design that achieves the required strength and performance for your project.
- For standard 2500-3000 psi concrete used in residential settings, a typical batch mix proportion is 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and 3 parts stone.
- For commercial projects and structural concrete, a 3000-4000 psi mix is more common, often with a 1:2:3 or 1:1.5:2.5 cement-sand-stone ratio.
- High strength concrete above 4500 psi for heavy industrial applications often uses more cement in a 1:1:2 proportion.
The sand, stone and water in the mix make the cement heavier per cubic yard, so a higher strength mix design weighs more than a standard residential mix.
While you don’t have to calculate exact mix proportions yourself, understanding the differences can help you accurately estimate how much you need for your particular project and application. Consult your ready mix supplier for the precise mix designs and proportions they recommend.
If you require high early strength concrete or certain performance specifications, discuss options with your concrete contractor or ready mix producer when estimating quantities and budgeting for your project.
Add 5-10% Extra as Safety Factor
An important tip when calculating how much concrete you need is to add 5-10% as a safety factor. Having slightly more concrete than your measurements indicate is smart buffer for a few reasons:
- It allows for a margin of error in your measurements and volume calculations.
- The truck may not be able to deliver or discharge the exact final amount needed.
- Some concrete can be lost in pump lines and equipment when pumping or conveying long distances.
- It provides a small buffer for overages in subgrade depth or formwork volume.
- Leftover concrete can be used for small footings, spillways or ends of slabs.
Adding 5-10% to your estimate helps avoid coming up short, as well as having unused leftovers and waste. Any extra concrete after finishing your planned pours can be used for secondary needs, or returned to the plant in limited quantities if unused.
Estimate Total Bags of Concrete Needed
For smaller DIY projects, it’s helpful to calculate the number of concrete bags needed.
- Most standard concrete bags contain 60 lbs of dry concrete mix.
- First determine the cubic feet or yards required, then divide by 0.45 cubic feet per bag.
- Finally, divide the pounds of concrete required by 60 lbs per bag.
As an example:
- Say you need 3.5 cubic yards of concrete at 150 lbs per cubic foot.
- 3.5 yards x 27 cubic feet per cubic yard = 94.5 cubic feet
- 94.5 cubic feet divided by 0.45 cubic feet per bag = 210 bags
- 3.5 yards x 150 lbs per cubic foot = 4,725 lbs
- 4,725 lbs divided by 60 lbs per bag = 210 bags
This allows you to estimate both cubic feet and weight. Buy enough bags to cover both as a double check. Remember to also add a 10% overage factor.
Order Concrete Based on Your Calculations
Once you have accurately calculated the cubic yards and weight of concrete required, you are ready to order. Provide your estimated concrete quantity needed to your ready mix supplier when requesting delivery.
- Order concrete by the cubic yard for delivery by truck. Partial yard increments can be ordered such as 6.5 or 7.25 yards.
- Order in quantities of full truckloads when possible to avoid small load fees. Typical trucks hold 8-11 yards.
- Order concrete bags in pallet quantities for smaller jobs or hard to access areas.
Your advanced planning, measurement, calculation and ordering of the proper amount of concrete helps avoid waste, unnecessary costs or shortages during your project.
Follow these tips for an accurate takeoff and always order 5-10% extra concrete over your measured quantity to have sufficient material on hand. Carefully planning your concrete needs makes for an efficient and successful pour.
Frequently Asked Questions on Calculating Concrete Needs
Figuring out the right amount of concrete for your project can be confusing. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about estimating concrete quantity:
How do you calculate cubic yards of concrete?
Calculate total volume in cubic feet, then convert to cubic yards by dividing cubic feet by 27. Measure length x width x thickness in feet and inches. For walls, multiply height x length x thickness. Add up totals for all sections to get total cubic feet, then convert to yards.
What is the standard thickness for a concrete slab?
4 inches is the most common thickness for residential concrete slabs. Standard garage floors are 4-5 inches. Commercial building slabs are typically 5-8 inches. Use 6 inches or more for areas with heavy vehicle traffic.
How many cubic yards of concrete are in a truckload?
A typical concrete truck holds between 8-11 cubic yards, with most trucks holding about 9-10 yards. To optimize loads, order concrete in truckload increments when possible. Discuss truck capacity with your ready mix supplier.
How much does a yard of concrete weigh?
The standard estimate is 150 pounds per cubic foot. So one cubic yard will weigh 4,050 lbs. Light mix is 145 lbs per cubic foot, and heavier mix up to 160 lbs per cubic foot depending on the aggregate used.
What does a bag of concrete cover?
One 60-pound bag of concrete will typically cover 0.45 cubic feet when mixed. Bags are easier for small DIY jobs rather than ordering concrete trucks. Estimate your yardage, then divide by 0.45 cf per bag.
How many bags of concrete per cubic yard?
There are typically about 43 sixty-pound bags of bagged concrete per cubic yard. To figure bags needed, calculate total cubic yards required, then multiply by 43 for sixty-pound bags.
Can you return unused concrete?
Leftover concrete may be returned to the batch plant if the truck can get back before the concrete sets up, typically within 90 minutes max. Charges often apply after 60 minutes. Avoid returns by ordering only what you need.
What should my slump be for various projects?
- 4-inch slump for slabs and floors
- 5-inch for standard foundations and flatwork
- 6-inch for pouring walls and equipment bases
- Up to 8-inch for pump mixes. A higher slump aids pumping but reduces strength.
Discuss ideal slump with your concrete contractor for your specific application.
Key Takeaways on Calculating Concrete Quantity
- Carefully measure surface area and thickness then calculate volume in cubic feet and yards
- Convert volume to estimated weight using 150 lbs per cubic foot standard density
- Factor in strength, mix design proportions and any special requirements
- Add 5-10% to your estimate for a safety buffer
- Order concrete by the cubic yard based on your calculations
- For small jobs, divide yards into 60-lb bags using 0.45 cf per bag conversion
- Accurately estimating how much concrete you need helps projects run smoothly
With the techniques in this guide, you can learn how to accurately estimate concrete requirements for any project as a pro. Advanced planning of exact quantities makes concrete work more efficient, prevent shortages, and helps avoid costly overordering.