Concrete cost calculator
Enter the slab and your local prices to compare the material cost of ready-mix and bags. The prices filled in are only examples — replace them with quotes from your area.
Enter your measurements
More options: Extra · Other
- Bagged total
- $1,638.00
- Ready-mix cost per sq ft
- $2.36
- Bag cost per sq ft
- $4.10
- Bags cost per cubic yard
- $315.00
- Ready-mix ordered (rounded up to ¼)
- 5.25 cu yd (142 cu ft)
- Bags needed
- 234 bags · 80 lb bag
- Cheaper on materials
- Ready-mix, by about $693
20 ft × 20 ft × 4 in + 5% → order 5.25 cu yd
Ready-mix: 5.25 cu yd × $180.00/cu yd = $945.00
Bags: 234 bags × $7.00 = $1,638.00
- Material only. Labor, finishing, excavation, permits and inspections are extra — and for most slabs, labor is a large share of the price.
- 234 bags is a great deal of mixing. Even if bags look cheaper, count the mixer rental and the day of work.
Material cost at other thicknesses (prices as entered)
| Thickness | Ready-mix total | Bagged total | Bags needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 in | $855.00 | $1,435.00 | 205 bags |
| 4 in | $945.00 | $1,638.00 | 234 bags |
| 5 in | $1,170.00 | $2,044.00 | 292 bags |
| 6 in | $1,440.00 | $2,450.00 | 350 bags |
Concrete prices change by region, season, mix strength and order size, so this calculator doesn’t pretend to know yours. Put in a quote from a local ready-mix plant and the shelf price of a bag, and it does the rest: how much to order, the total for each route, and the cost per square foot so you can compare against contractor bids.
How the cost is worked out
ready-mix cost = yards ordered (rounded up) × price per yard + fees bag cost = bags needed × price per bag cost per sq ft = total ÷ slab area bag price per yard = price per bag × 27 ÷ bag yield (cu ft)
The last line is the fairest comparison. At a yield of 0.6 cu ft, an 80 lb bag costs 45 times its price per cubic yard of concrete; a 60 lb bag, 60 times. Compare that with the plant’s price per yard plus its fees spread over the order.
What else to budget for
- Base and forms. Gravel under the slab (gravel base calculator), form boards, stakes and screws.
- Reinforcement. Rebar or mesh if your plans call for it — see the rebar calculator and wire mesh calculator.
- Delivery extras. Short-load fees on small orders, charges when the truck waits too long, and a pump or buggy if the chute can’t reach.
- Finishing and curing. Tool rental, curing compound or sealer (sealer calculator), and control-joint cutting.
- Permits and inspections where your area requires them.
Getting a real price
Call two or three plants and tell them the volume, the use (patio, driveway, footing), the strength they recommend, and when you need it. Ask for the price per yard, the minimum order, the short-load fee below that minimum, how much unloading time is included and what extra time costs. For bags, check whether the store discounts by the pallet. The ready-mix vs bags calculator shows the same comparison with weight and truckloads.
What you’ll need
- Portable electric concrete mixerPremium price
A small drum mixer turns a long day of hand-mixing into batches of two or three 80 lb bags. Check the drum size against the bag count you need.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Bull float with handleMid-range price
Smooths and levels a slab you can’t reach across, right after screeding. Rent or buy one for anything wider than about 6 ft.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Aluminum screedMid-range price
A straight, light screed strikes off the concrete level with the forms. A straight 2×4 works too if it really is straight.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of concrete cost?
It depends on where you live, the mix and the order size, so the calculator uses your own quote. Ask the plant for the price per yard and any short-load or delivery fees; those fees can matter more than the per-yard price on a small order.
What does an 80 lb bag of concrete cost per yard of concrete?
Multiply the bag price by 45 — that is how many 80 lb bags make a yard. For 60 lb bags, multiply by 60.
Does this include labor?
No. It covers the concrete and any other material costs you enter. For a contractor-poured slab, labor and finishing are usually a large share of the total.
Related guides
Sources
- NRMCA Concrete in Practice 31 — Ordering Ready Mixed Concrete (opens in a new tab) — Truck mixers carry 8 to 12 cubic yards (about 6 to 9 m³); order 4–10% more than the plan estimate; a loaded truck weighs about 80,000 lb; fresh concrete can cause severe chemical burns.
- Quikrete Concrete Mix (No. 1101) data sheet (opens in a new tab) — Yields: 40 lb ≈ 0.30, 50 lb ≈ 0.375, 60 lb ≈ 0.45, 80 lb ≈ 0.60, 90 lb ≈ 0.675 cu ft; unit weight ≈ 140 lb/cu ft; for pours 2 in thick or more; 6–9 pints of water per 80 lb bag; control joints every 6–8 ft; cure 5 days at 70 °F or above, 7 days at 50–70 °F; protect from freezing for 48 hours.