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Calculator 01 / Concrete

Concrete Calculator

Figure cubic yards and bag count for slabs, footings, round columns, and stairs. Enter your measurements, pick a shape, and add a waste buffer before you order.


Covers spillage, uneven subgrade, and form overage. 5–10% is typical.

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How this calculator works

Concrete volume is length × width × thickness, converted to cubic feet and then to cubic yards (concrete is sold by the cubic yard for ready-mix, or by the bag for small pours). This tool applies the same formulas ready-mix suppliers and bagged-mix manufacturers use:

Slab / footing: Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Thickness (in) ÷ 12) Round column: Volume (ft³) = π × (Diameter (in) ÷ 24)² × Height (ft) Stairs: Volume (ft³) = [N × (N + 1) ÷ 2] × Riser (ft) × Tread (ft) × Width (ft) Cubic yards: Cubic yards = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27 Bags needed: Bags = [Volume (ft³) × (1 + Waste %)] ÷ Bag yield (ft³)

The stairs formula treats each step as a stacked rectangular block, which is the standard approximation used for a solid stair pour (no separate stringer or void beneath).

How much waste factor should I add?

5–10% covers most slab pours. Add more (10–15%) for uneven or unexcavated subgrade, hand-dug footings, or irregular forms where over-digging is likely.

When should I order ready-mix instead of bags?

As a rule of thumb, pours over roughly 1 cubic yard (about 60–70 bags of 60 lb mix) are usually cheaper and faster with a ready-mix delivery than hand-mixing bags.

Does this account for rebar or wire mesh volume?

No — reinforcement takes up a negligible fraction of pour volume and is not subtracted. This calculator estimates gross concrete volume only.

Estimates only. Confirm final quantities with your ready-mix supplier or bagged-mix manufacturer, and always order slightly more than the calculated minimum.