BuildCalc

Concrete Calculator

Enter your slab dimensions to get the concrete volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, the number of 60 lb and 80 lb pre-mix bags, and an optional cost estimate. A waste allowance is included because forms over-fill and sub-grades are never perfectly level.

Your measurements

ft
ft
in
%
$

Ready-mix runs roughly $125–$165/yd³. Leave at 0 to skip cost.

Volume

Cubic feet
44 ft³
Total slab area
120 ft²
Includes waste
10%

Materials

60 lb bags
98 bags
80 lb bags
74 bags

Concrete needed

1.63 yd³

≈ 74 × 80 lb bags

Estimates only. Order a little extra for waste and verify against your supplier's coverage figures.

The formula

Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Thickness ft) ÷ 27 × (1 + waste %)

Example: A 10 ft × 12 ft patio at 4 in thick = 10 × 12 × 0.333 = 40 ft³ → 40 ÷ 27 = 1.48 yd³. With 10% waste that's ~1.63 yd³, or about 74 × 80 lb bags.

How it works

  1. 1Convert thickness from inches to feet (divide by 12).
  2. 2Multiply length × width × thickness to get cubic feet.
  3. 3Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards (a yard is 3×3×3 ft).
  4. 4Add a waste allowance (10% is typical) for spillage and uneven sub-grade.
  5. 5Divide the cubic feet by the bag yield (0.45 ft³ for 60 lb, 0.6 ft³ for 80 lb) to get bag counts.

Frequently asked questions

How many 80 lb bags of concrete make a cubic yard?

An 80 lb bag yields about 0.6 ft³ of mixed concrete, and a cubic yard is 27 ft³, so you need 27 ÷ 0.6 = 45 bags per cubic yard.

How thick should a concrete slab be?

4 inches is standard for patios, sidewalks and shed floors. Use 5–6 inches for driveways and anywhere vehicles or heavy loads sit.

Should I order ready-mix or use bags?

Bags are practical up to roughly 1 cubic yard (about 45 × 80 lb bags). Beyond that, ordering ready-mix delivered by truck is usually cheaper and far less labor.