Concrete Yardage

Calculate cubic yards of concrete for a slab.

Result:

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Concrete Yardage Calculator: Determining Your Pour Size

In the construction world, concrete is bought and sold by the "cubic yard." This unit of measurement—a cube that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet tall (27 cubic feet)—is the gold standard for ordering Ready Mix. Our Concrete Yardage Calculator is the essential tool for converting your project's linear measurements (feet and inches) into the volume format that batch plants understand.

How to Calculate Concrete Yardage

The math requires three steps:

  1. Find Volume in Cubic Feet: Multiply Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (ft). Note: You must convert inches to feet first (divide inches by 12).
  2. Convert to Cubic Yards: Divide your total cubic feet by 27.
  3. Add Waste Factor: Always add 5-10% to account for spillage, uneven subgrade, or forms bowing out.

Example: A patio that is 10' x 10' and 4" thick.
4" = 0.33 feet.
10 x 10 x 0.33 = 33 cubic feet.
33 / 27 = 1.22 cubic yards.

Why Yardage Matters

Getting the yardage right is the difference between a profitable job and a disaster.

  • Ordering Too Little: Stopping a pour halfway because you ran out is a nightmare. This creates a "cold joint"—a weak seam where the fresh concrete meets the hardening old concrete. It looks bad and is structurally compromised.
  • Ordering Too Much: You pay for what you order, even if you don't use it. Plus, disposing of excess wet concrete is difficult and often requires an environmental fee.

Bags vs. Trucks

When should you mix it yourself versus ordering a truck?

  • Bagged Mix (Quikrete/Sakrete): Ideal for projects under 1 cubic yard (about 45 bags of 80lb mix). Good for fence posts, small pads, or repairs.
  • Ready Mix Truck: Best for anything over 1 yard. Mixing 50+ bags by hand is back-breaking labor and hard to finish before it sets. A truck delivers consistent quality and massive volume instantly.

Conclusion

Don't guess with concrete. Once it hardens, your mistake is set in stone. Use the Concrete Yardage Calculator to confirm your numbers, communicate clearly with your supplier, and execute a flawless pour.