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Concrete Calculator — Free 2026

Calculate exactly how much concrete you need for slabs, columns and stairs. Get results in cubic yards, cubic feet and bags.

Cubic Yards
Cubic Feet
Cubic Meters
60-lb Bags
80-lb Bags

How It Works

  1. Select the shape
  2. Enter dimensions
  3. Read your results
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Understanding Concrete Volume Calculations

Whether you are pouring a patio slab, setting fence posts, or building stairs, accurately estimating concrete volume saves money and prevents waste. Concrete is sold by the cubic yard for ready-mix trucks and by the bag for smaller projects. This calculator handles the most common shapes and converts between all standard units automatically.

Slab Calculations

For rectangular slabs — patios, sidewalks, driveways, and garage floors — the formula is straightforward: multiply length by width by depth. The critical detail is converting depth from inches to feet before multiplying. A standard 4-inch slab is just one-third of a foot deep. For larger area calculations, use our square footage calculator to determine the surface area first.

Column and Stairs Calculations

Cylindrical columns use the formula pi times radius squared times height. This calculator handles the inch-to-foot conversion for diameter automatically. For stairs, each step is treated as a rectangular block (width times run times rise), and the volumes are summed across all steps plus a base slab. Always add 5-10% extra material to account for waste, spillage, and form irregularities.

Bags vs. Ready-Mix

For projects under 1 cubic yard, pre-mixed bags are practical. A 60-lb bag yields about 0.45 cubic feet and an 80-lb bag about 0.6 cubic feet of mixed concrete. For larger pours, a ready-mix truck delivery is more cost-effective and ensures consistent mixing. Most suppliers have a minimum order of 1 cubic yard. Use our unit converter to translate between metric and imperial measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate how much concrete I need?
Multiply the length by width by depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. For a standard 4-inch thick slab, multiply the length and width in feet, then divide by 81. Always add 5-10% extra for waste and spillage.
How many bags of concrete are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard of concrete requires approximately 45 bags of 80-pound mix or 60 bags of 60-pound mix. Each 80-pound bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet of mixed concrete, while each 60-pound bag yields about 0.45 cubic feet.
How thick should a concrete slab be?
Standard concrete slab thickness is 4 inches for patios, sidewalks, and light-duty floors. Driveways should be at least 5-6 inches thick. Garage floors are typically 4-6 inches. For heavy equipment or commercial use, slabs may need to be 6-8 inches thick with reinforcing steel.
How do I calculate concrete for a column?
For a round column, use the formula: Volume = pi x radius squared x height. Measure the diameter in feet, divide by 2 to get the radius, square it, multiply by pi (3.14159), then multiply by the height in feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards.

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