Standard slab is 4 inches, footings typically 8-12 inches
Ready-mix typically $125-$175/yd delivered
Concrete Needed
Estimated Cost
$370.37
Bag counts assume unmixed volume. For ready-mix delivery, order by cubic yards. Add 10% for waste.
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Concrete Construction Guide
Everything you need to know about calculating, ordering, and pouring concrete in 2026.
Understanding Concrete Quantities
Ordering too little concrete means cold joints and expensive short-load fees. Ordering too much wastes budget on disposal.
Professional contractors typically order 10% overage for residential pours to account for subgrade irregularity and form deflection. On larger commercial pours (50+ yards), overage drops to 3-5%.
Key Takeaways
- Residential pours: Add 10% overage for safety
- Commercial pours: Add 3-5% overage
- Short-load fees apply to orders under 8-10 yards
Concrete Mix Types & Strength (PSI)
Not all concrete is created equal. Most residential work uses 3,000 to 4,000 PSI mixes.
- 3,000 PSI: Standard for patios, sidewalks, and walkways.
- 4,000 PSI: Required for driveways, garage floors, (heavy vehicle loads).
- 5,000+ PSI: Commercial columns and structural foundations.
Consider fiber-mesh reinforcement ($5-$8/yard) to reduce surface cracking without laying wire mesh.
Key Takeaways
- 3,000 PSI = Patios & Walkways
- 4,000 PSI = Driveways & Garages
- Fiber-mesh replaces traditional wire layout for crack control
Standard Slab Thicknesses
Thickness drives cost. A 4-inch slab is standard, but vehicles require more depth.
- 4 inches: Patios, sidewalks, shed floors.
- 5-6 inches: Residential driveways (handles SUVs/Trucks).
- 6+ inches: Heavy equipment floors, car lifts, RV pads.
- 12 inches: Residential footings (standard depth).
Key Takeaways
- 4" slab = standard residential (patios, walkways)
- 5-6" slab = driveways with vehicle traffic
- 12" = standard residential footing depth
2026 Concrete Cost Factors
Ready-mix prices average $130–$170 per cubic yard in 2026, varying by region.
Hidden costs to watch for:
- Short-load fees: $50-$200 extra for orders under 7 yards.
- Pump truck: $800-$1,500/day if the truck can't reach the forms.
- Additives: Accelerators ($10/yd) or retarders ($8/yd) for weather control.
Key Takeaways
- National Avg: $130-$170 / cubic yard concrete cost
- Pump Truck: Adds $400-$800 minimum
- Weekend Delivery: Expect +$150/load surcharges
How to Use This Calculator
Choose what you’re pouring
Pick slab, footing, or column so the concrete calculator uses the right volume formula.
Enter measurements (double-check thickness)
Add length/width/height in feet. Enter thickness in inches (the #1 place people accidentally over/under-order).
Add your ready-mix price per yard (optional)
If you want a budget number, enter your local price per cubic yard (delivery fees and short-load charges can change the total).
Get cubic yards + bag counts
You’ll see total cubic yards of concrete, plus estimated 60 lb and 80 lb bag quantities if you’re mixing small pours.
Concrete Volume Formulas
Slab/Footing: Volume (cu ft) = Length x Width x (Thickness in inches / 12)
Column: Volume (cu ft) = pi x (Diameter / 24)^2 x Height
Cubic Yards = Volume (cu ft) / 27
60 lb Bags = Volume (cu ft) / 0.45
80 lb Bags = Volume (cu ft) / 0.6Where:
- Length / Width
- = Measured in feet
- Thickness
- = Measured in inches (divide by 12 to convert to feet)
- 27
- = Cubic feet in one cubic yard
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards of concrete do I need?
How much concrete do I need for a slab?
How many bags of concrete do I need?
How much does a cubic yard of concrete cost?
Should I order extra concrete?
What is the difference between concrete and cement?
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