Formula and method
Worked example
A 10 ft × 10 ft slab, 4 in thick: 10 × 10 × (4/12) = 33.33 ft³ = 1.235 yd³ (0.944 m³). With no waste that is 56 bags of 80 lb (0.60 ft³ each) and about 5,000 lb of wet concrete. With 5% waste, order 1.30 yd³ or 59 bags.
Assumptions and limits
- Bag yields are the values printed on common US premix bags (80 lb ≈ 0.60 ft³); metric bags use the same yield per kilogram (25 kg ≈ 11.7 L). Brands differ slightly, so check the bag.
- A 5–10% waste allowance covers uneven subgrade, form bulge and spillage; use more on rough ground.
- Site-mix ratios are by volume; the 1.54 dry factor and 0.5 water-cement ratio are estimates. Structural members need a designed mix for the required strength and local code.
- Results exclude rebar, gravel base and formwork; use the rebar weight calculator for steel.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of concrete are in a yard?
1 yd³ = 27 ft³: about 45 bags of 80 lb, 60 bags of 60 lb or 90 bags of 40 lb before waste. One cubic metre takes about 85 bags of 25 kg.
Should I use bags or order ready-mix?
Bags are practical below about 1 yd³ (0.75 m³). Above that, hand mixing becomes heavy work and ready-mix is often cheaper and more consistent. Enter both prices to compare.
How thick should a concrete slab be?
Walkways and patios are commonly 4 in (10 cm), home driveways 4–6 in (10–15 cm); heavy-duty areas need an engineered design.
How much does a cubic metre of concrete weigh?
Normal-weight concrete is about 2,400 kg/m³ (150 lb/ft³, about 4,050 lb/yd³); reinforced about 2,500 kg/m³; lightweight about 1,840 kg/m³.