Concrete Yardage Calculator (2026) – Cubic Yards & Truck Sizing
Calculate cubic yards for slabs, footings, columns, and walls. Includes ready-mix truck load sizing, short-load fee estimate, and 2026 cost by US region.
$140–$225 in 2026
Yardage Results
Live calculation active
0.00 yd³
Cubic Yards to Order
—Cubic Feet
—Est. Material Cost
—Net (no waste)
—80 lb Bags Alt.
Ready-Mix Truck Guide
Full truck minimum8–10 yd³
Short-load fee$15–$25/yd³ under min
Your order vs. min—
Est. short-load fee—
Est. total incl. delivery—
*Delivery fee and short-load vary by supplier. Always confirm with your local ready-mix plant.
How to Calculate Cubic Yards of Concrete
Cubic Feet = Length × Width × Thickness (all in feet)
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27
With waste = Cubic Yards × (1 + Waste%/100)
Key conversions: Always convert thickness to feet before calculating. 4 inches = 0.333 ft · 6 inches = 0.5 ft · 8 inches = 0.667 ft · 12 inches = 1.0 ft.
💡 Round columns / post holes: Volume = π × r² × height. A 12-inch diameter × 3-ft deep column = 3.1416 × (0.5)² × 3 = 2.36 ft³ = 0.087 yd³.
Ready-Mix Truck Load Guide
| Order Size | Truck Type | Short-Load Fee | Best Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 yd³ | N/A — use bags | N/A | Use 80 lb bags; ready-mix not cost-effective |
| 1–3 yd³ | Short load / mini mix | $15–$25/yd³ under 8 yd³ | Ask for leftover from nearby pour; use bags if gap <$100 |
| 3–7 yd³ | Standard truck (partial) | $15–$25/yd³ short-load | Order ready-mix; factor short-load fee into budget |
| 8–10 yd³ | Standard truck (full) | None — at minimum | Most economical per-yard price |
| 10+ yd³ | Multiple trucks | None | Schedule back-to-back pours; don't let first truck set |
Timing is critical with ready-mix: You have 90 minutes from batching to place and finish concrete before it starts setting. For large pours, have your entire crew and all tools staged before the truck arrives. Never add extra water to "loosen" concrete — it weakens the mix.
2026 Ready-Mix Concrete Cost Guide
| Region | $/yd³ (3,000 PSI) | $/yd³ (4,000 PSI) | Delivery Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $175–$225 | $195–$250 | $150–$300 |
| West Coast | $165–$215 | $185–$240 | $150–$275 |
| Mountain West | $150–$190 | $170–$215 | $125–$250 |
| Midwest | $140–$175 | $155–$195 | $100–$225 |
| South | $130–$165 | $145–$185 | $100–$200 |
Yardage FAQ
How many yards of concrete for a 20×20 slab at 4 inches?
20 × 20 × (4/12) = 133.3 ft³ / 27 = 4.94 yd³ net. With 10% waste = 5.43 yd³. This is under the typical 8 yd³ truck minimum, so expect a short-load fee of roughly $60–$135 above the base material cost.
How many yards of concrete per 80 lb bag?
One 80 lb bag yields 0.60 ft³ = 0.0222 cubic yards. To find bags needed: divide your cubic yards by 0.0222. Or: multiply cubic yards by 45 to get 80 lb bag count (before waste factor).
What is the minimum ready-mix concrete order?
Most US ready-mix suppliers have a minimum charge equivalent to a full truck — typically 8–10 cubic yards. If you need less, you pay a short-load surcharge of $15–$25 per yard for the difference. For orders under 3 yards, bags are usually more cost-effective once the short-load fee is factored in.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards of concrete?
Divide cubic feet by 27. There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³). Example: a 10×12 slab at 4 inches thick = 10 × 12 × 0.333 ft = 40 ft³ / 27 = 1.48 yd³. Always add 5–10% for waste before placing your order.
How long does a ready-mix truck take to unload?
Most ready-mix contracts allow 60–90 minutes from when the truck arrives on site before overtime charges kick in. After that, expect $1–$3 per minute in wait time fees. Have your entire crew staged, tools ready, and forms completely set before the truck arrives — there is no way to pause a pour once concrete starts flowing.
How much does a yard of concrete cost in 2026?
Ready-mix concrete costs vary by region in 2026: South $130–$165/yd³, Midwest $140–$175/yd³, Mountain West $150–$190/yd³, West Coast $165–$215/yd³, Northeast $175–$225/yd³. Delivery fees add $100–$300 per load depending on distance to the plant. High-strength mixes (4,000+ PSI) or specialty mixes (air-entrained, fiber, accelerated) cost $10–$30/yd³ more.
What does a short-load fee mean for concrete?
A short-load fee is a surcharge when your order is below the ready-mix supplier's minimum — typically 8–10 yd³. The fee compensates the supplier for dispatching a full-size truck with a partial load. It usually runs $15–$25 per cubic yard of the shortfall. For example, ordering 5 yd³ when the minimum is 8 yd³ = a 3 yd³ shortfall × $20 = $60 short-load fee on top of your material cost. This calculator shows the estimated short-load fee in the results panel.
Can I order concrete by the half yard?
Most ready-mix plants batch in 0.25 yd³ increments but charge the full truck minimum regardless. A few suppliers in larger markets offer "short load" service at a higher per-yard price for orders under 3 yd³. Trailer-mounted mini-mix services (available in some metro areas) can deliver as little as 1 yd³ at a premium — useful for tight-access sites or small repairs. Call your local ready-mix plant to ask about their minimum and any short-pour options.
Worked Examples: Concrete Yardage Calculations
Example 1 — Rectangular Slab (Patio)
A 16×20 ft patio, 4 inches thick:
- Volume: 16 × 20 × (4 / 12) = 16 × 20 × 0.333 = 106.7 ft³
- Convert to yards: 106.7 / 27 = 3.95 yd³ net
- Add 10% waste: 3.95 × 1.10 = 4.34 yd³ — order 4.5 yd³
- Short-load gap: 8.0 − 4.5 = 3.5 yd³ short → fee ~$70
- Total material + short-load: 4.5 × $160 + $70 = ~$790
Example 2 — Round Column (Sonotube)
Four 12-inch diameter × 4-foot deep deck pier tubes:
- Volume per tube: π × (0.5 ft)² × 4 ft = 3.1416 × 0.25 × 4 = 3.14 ft³
- Total for 4 tubes: 3.14 × 4 = 12.57 ft³
- Convert to yards: 12.57 / 27 = 0.47 yd³ net
- Add 10% waste: 0.51 yd³
- 80 lb bags needed: ⌈13.8 / 0.60⌉ = 23 bags
At this volume, bags are far more practical than ready-mix. Even with a short-load fee, the minimum truck charge would be $1,300+. Bags cost roughly $240.
Example 3 — Continuous Footing
A 60-linear-foot garage footing, 18 inches wide × 10 inches deep:
- Width: 18 / 12 = 1.5 ft · Depth: 10 / 12 = 0.833 ft
- Volume: 60 × 1.5 × 0.833 = 75 ft³ = 2.78 yd³ net
- Add 10% waste: 3.06 yd³ — order 3.25 yd³
- Short-load gap: 8 − 3.25 = 4.75 yd³ short → fee ~$95
- Total: 3.25 × $160 + $95 = ~$615
Check whether a local mini-mix service is available — for under 4 yd³, some areas offer trailer-mixed concrete at $200–$240/yd³ with no short-load fee, which would be competitive here.
Example 4 — Large Driveway Pour
A 12×40 ft driveway at 6 inches thick:
- Volume: 12 × 40 × (6 / 12) = 12 × 40 × 0.5 = 240 ft³ = 8.89 yd³ net
- Add 8% waste: 8.89 × 1.08 = 9.6 yd³ — order 10 yd³
- At 10 yd³, this is a full truck load — no short-load fee
- Material cost: 10 × $160 = $1,600 + $150 delivery = ~$1,750
Always specify 4,000 PSI air-entrained concrete for driveways in freeze-thaw climates. The air entrainment (4–7% air voids) prevents surface scaling from de-icing salts and adds roughly $10–$15/yd³.
How to Order Ready-Mix Concrete: A Checklist
Ordering concrete is not as simple as calling and saying "I need 5 yards." Ready-mix plants need specific information to batch the right mix. Use this checklist before calling:
| Item to Specify | Typical Residential Choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume (yd³) | Your calculated amount + waste | Round up to nearest 0.25 yd³ |
| PSI / Strength | 3,500–4,000 PSI | 4,000+ for driveways; 3,500 for patios |
| Slump | 4–5 inches | Higher slump = more workable but weaker. Never exceed 6 inches |
| Air entrainment | Yes (4–7%) in freeze-thaw climates | Required for driveways exposed to de-icing salts |
| Aggregate size | ¾-inch maximum | Smaller (⅜ in) for thin slabs under 3 inches |
| Fiber reinforcement | Optional | Reduces plastic shrinkage cracks; adds ~$8/yd³ |
| Delivery time | As early as possible | Morning pours give more working time before afternoon heat |
| Truck access | Confirm clearances | Chute reach is typically 16–18 ft from the truck; longer pumps available |
💡 Pro tip — ask for the delivery ticket: Every ready-mix truck carries a batch ticket showing the actual mix design, water content, and batch time. Keep it. If the slab ever cracks or fails, the ticket is essential documentation for any warranty claim.