Concrete Volume Calculator
Concrete Yard Calculator
Calculate cubic yards of concrete for slabs, patios, driveways, footings, walls, round piers, pads, and known-volume projects. Estimate yards before waste, order yards with waste, bags, truckloads, weight, and material cost.
1 cubic yard
27 ft³
Typical waste
5%–10%
Ready-mix unit
yd³
Concrete yard formula
Supplier rules, truck capacity, minimum orders, and short-load fees vary. Confirm final order quantity with your ready-mix supplier.
Calculate concrete yards
Enter your project dimensions and convert concrete volume into cubic yards for ready-mix ordering.
Project note
Best for slabs, patios, driveways, pads, sidewalks, and other rectangular flatwork.
Concrete yards needed
Order quantity
1.96 yd³
1.78 yd³ before waste.
This calculator uses standard estimating assumptions. Actual concrete yield, bag yield, supplier truck capacity, and waste requirements can vary.
Calculate concrete yards
Convert common construction dimensions into cubic yards for ready-mix ordering.
Compare bags and ready-mix
See approximate 40 lb, 60 lb, and 80 lb bag counts to decide when ready-mix is more practical.
Add waste allowance
Account for subgrade variation, form movement, uneven depth, spillage, and ordering safety margin.
How to convert concrete dimensions to yards
Concrete is usually ordered in cubic yards. First calculate the project volume in cubic feet. Then divide cubic feet by 27 because there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.
For slabs, use length × width × thickness. Convert thickness from inches to feet before multiplying. A 4 inch slab is 0.333 feet thick.
After calculating base cubic yards, add a waste allowance. Many small flatwork jobs use 5 to 10 percent extra, but complex pours or uneven subgrades may require more.
Common concrete yard examples
Concrete yard calculator FAQs
What is a yard of concrete?
A yard of concrete means one cubic yard, which equals 27 cubic feet of concrete volume.
How do I calculate yards for a concrete slab?
Multiply slab length by width by thickness in feet to get cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
Should I round concrete yards up?
Usually yes. Concrete orders are commonly rounded up after adding waste because running short during a pour can be expensive.
Is this the same as a concrete calculator?
A concrete yard calculator focuses specifically on cubic yards for ordering. A full concrete calculator may include shapes, cost, bags, reinforcement, and project-specific details.