Concrete Yard Calculator | Free Construction Calculators
Calculate cubic yards of concrete needed for construction projects with instant unit conversions. Our professional concrete yard calculator helps contractors, estimators, and builders convert between feet, inches, cubic feet, and cubic yards for accurate ready-mix concrete ordering. Enter dimensions in your preferred unit and get comprehensive results showing cubic yards, cubic feet, bags needed, total weight, and cost estimates. Essential for ordering ready-mix concrete, estimating material quantities, and ensuring accurate delivery amounts for slabs, footings, foundations, driveways, and all concrete construction applications.
Flexible Units
Enter dimensions in feet or inches for convenient calculations
Ready-Mix Ordering
Get cubic yard results optimized for concrete supplier ordering
Complete Conversions
See cubic yards, cubic feet, bags, and weight in one calculation
How to Use This Calculator
- Measure the length of your concrete area
- Measure the width of your concrete area
- Determine the depth or height of concrete needed
- Select your unit of measurement (feet or inches)
- Click Calculate to see cubic yards and all conversions
- Round up to nearest 0.5 cubic yards when ordering ready-mix concrete
Cubic Yard Conversion Formulas
Cubic feet to cubic yards: Cubic feet ÷ 27 = Cubic yards
Cubic yards to cubic feet: Cubic yards × 27 = Cubic feet
Volume calculation: Length × Width × Depth = Cubic feet
Standard conversion: 1 cubic yard = 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet
About Cubic Yard Calculations
Cubic yards are the standard unit for ordering and delivering ready-mix concrete throughout the construction industry. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet) or approximately 46,656 cubic inches. Ready-mix concrete suppliers price and deliver by the cubic yard, with most requiring minimum orders of 1 cubic yard and delivering in 0.5 cubic yard increments. Understanding cubic yard calculations ensures accurate ordering, prevents material shortages, and avoids expensive short-load fees or wasted excess concrete.
Converting between measurement units is essential for concrete estimation. Blueprints may show dimensions in feet and inches, requiring conversion to decimal feet before calculating volume. For example, 10 feet 6 inches becomes 10.5 feet (6 inches ÷ 12 = 0.5 feet). Always convert all dimensions to the same unit before multiplying to find volume. Small measurement errors compound significantly: a 1-inch error in thickness over 1,000 square feet equals 0.31 cubic yards or approximately $50-75 in concrete costs.
Professional contractors always round up concrete orders to account for waste, spillage, over-excavation, and form irregularities. Order 5-10% extra for most projects: 5% for simple rectangular slabs with experienced crews, 10% for first-time pours, irregular shapes, or complex forms. Ready-mix concrete cannot be returned once delivered, and short-loading requires expensive additional delivery charges (typically $150-300 per return trip plus concrete costs). When in doubt, order the next highest 0.5 cubic yard increment.
Ready-Mix Concrete Ordering Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards of concrete do I need for a 10x10 slab?
For a 10×10 ft slab at 4 inches thick: 10 × 10 × 0.333 ft = 33.3 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 1.23 cubic yards. Round up to 1.5 cubic yards when ordering. At 6 inches thick, the same slab needs 1.85 cubic yards (order 2.0 yards). At 5 inches thick, you need 1.54 cubic yards (order 2.0 yards). Always measure actual slab dimensions and thickness at multiple points, as excavation depth often varies across the area.
What happens if I order too much or too little concrete?
Too little: You must stop the pour partially complete and order more concrete, paying full delivery charges ($150-300) for the second truck plus additional concrete costs. The cold joint where new concrete meets old concrete creates a structural weakness. Too much: Excess concrete under 0.5 yards can fill low areas, thicken slab edges, or create stepping stones. Larger excess must be disposed of properly (not in drains or random locations). Better to have 0.25-0.5 yards extra than run short.
Why is concrete ordered in cubic yards instead of cubic feet?
Cubic yards are the construction industry standard because concrete quantities are typically large enough that cubic feet become unwieldy numbers. A small driveway requiring 270 cubic feet sounds more complex than 10 cubic yards. Concrete supplier equipment, batching systems, and pricing structures all operate in cubic yards. The cubic yard measurement also aligns with truck capacities (8-11 cubic yards) and provides practical order increments. For small projects under 1 cubic yard, you can order in cubic yards or use bagged concrete measured in cubic feet.
How do I convert inches to feet for concrete calculations?
Divide inches by 12 to convert to feet. Examples: 4 inches = 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 feet; 6 inches = 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 feet; 8 inches = 8 ÷ 12 = 0.667 feet; 3 inches = 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 feet. For mixed measurements like 10 feet 6 inches: convert the inches (6 ÷ 12 = 0.5) and add to the feet (10 + 0.5 = 10.5 feet). Always convert all dimensions to the same unit (either all feet or all inches) before multiplying to calculate volume.
How much does a cubic yard of concrete cost delivered?
Ready-mix concrete typically costs $125-175 per cubic yard delivered, varying by region, specifications, and order size. Basic 2500-3000 PSI concrete costs less; 4000+ PSI, colored, fiber-reinforced, or rapid-set mixes cost more. Short-load fees ($50-150) apply for orders under 3-4 cubic yards. Delivery charges increase for distances over 10-15 miles. Saturday delivery adds $50-100. Total project cost includes concrete ($125-175/yd³), delivery charges, potential short-load or extended pour fees, plus finishing labor. Request detailed quotes from multiple suppliers.
Related Concrete Calculators
Professional Ordering Tips
- Measure multiple points: Check depth at 5+ locations as excavation often varies
- Round up to 0.5 yards: Always order next highest 0.5 increment (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, etc.)
- Add 5-10% overage: Account for waste, spillage, and uneven subgrade
- Order early morning: Concrete sets faster in afternoon heat, morning pours allow more working time
- Verify access: Ensure trucks can reach site (gate width, overhead clearance, ground firmness)
- Have overflow plan: Know where to place excess concrete (forms for stepping stones, fill areas)
- Schedule crew appropriately: 1 cubic yard requires 2-3 people, 5+ yards need 4-6 workers
- Check weather: Avoid pouring when temperatures below 40°F or above 90°F, or rain expected
Cubic Yard Quick Reference
Standard Conversions
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
- 1 cubic yard = 46,656 cubic inches
- 1 cubic yard = 0.764 cubic meters
- 1 cubic yard ≈ 4,050 lbs (standard concrete)
- 1 cubic yard ≈ 45 bags of 80-lb concrete
- 1 cubic yard ≈ 201 gallons
Common Thickness Conversions
- 3 inches = 0.25 feet
- 4 inches = 0.333 feet
- 5 inches = 0.417 feet
- 6 inches = 0.50 feet
- 8 inches = 0.667 feet
- 12 inches = 1.0 feet
Coverage per Cubic Yard (by thickness)
- 3 inches thick: 1 cubic yard covers 108 sq ft
- 4 inches thick: 1 cubic yard covers 81 sq ft
- 5 inches thick: 1 cubic yard covers 65 sq ft
- 6 inches thick: 1 cubic yard covers 54 sq ft
- 8 inches thick: 1 cubic yard covers 40 sq ft