Concrete weight calculator
Enter a volume or a slab size to see how much the concrete weighs, using the published unit weight of normal concrete.
Enter your measurements
- Weight in short tons
- 1.96 tons
- Volume
- 1 cu yd (27 cu ft)
- Unit weight used
- 145 lb/cu ft (3,915 lb/cu yd)
27 cu ft × 145 lb/cu ft = 3,915 lb (1.96 tons)
- Over a ton. Check what will carry it — a trailer, a truck’s payload or a floor — before you plan the pour or the removal.
Quick answers for common sizes
| Example | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does a yard of concrete weigh | About 3,915 lb (140–150 lb per cu ft) |
| How much does a cubic foot of concrete weigh | About 145 lb (140–150 lb range) |
| Concrete weight per square foot | 48.3 lb per sq ft at 4 in thick |
| How much does a 4×4 concrete slab weigh | About 773 lb at 4 in thick |
Weight by volume at the unit weight above
| Volume | Weight | Weight in short tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft | 145 lb | 0.07 tons |
| 5 cu ft | 725 lb | 0.36 tons |
| 13.5 cu ft | 1,958 lb | 0.98 tons |
| 27 cu ft | 3,915 lb | 1.96 tons |
| 54 cu ft | 7,830 lb | 3.92 tons |
| 135 cu ft | 19,575 lb | 9.79 tons |
Normal-weight concrete weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot — Iowa DOT gives a typical range of 140–150 lb/cu ft — so a cubic yard (27 cu ft) weighs roughly 3,780 to 4,050 lb, close to 2 tons. Bagged concrete mix lands near the low end: Quikrete gives about 140 lb/cu ft for its Concrete Mix once mixed.
Concrete weight chart
| Amount | Weight at 145 lb/cu ft | Range (140–150 lb/cu ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft | 145 lb | 140–150 lb |
| 1 cu yd (27 cu ft) | 3,915 lb (1.96 tons) | 3,780–4,050 lb |
| 1 m³ | 2,323 kg | 2,243–2,403 kg |
| 1 sq ft of 4 in slab | 48.3 lb | 46.7–50 lb |
| 1 sq ft of 6 in slab | 72.5 lb | 70–75 lb |
| 80 lb bag, mixed (0.6 cu ft) | ≈ 84 lb at 140 lb/cu ft | — |
The formula
weight (lb) = volume (cu ft) × unit weight (lb/cu ft) slab weight per sq ft = thickness (in) ÷ 12 × unit weight tons = lb ÷ 2,000
Worked examples
- How much does a yard of concrete weigh — the number truck drivers and haulers care about.
- How much does a cubic foot of concrete weigh — the unit weight itself, and why it varies.
- Concrete weight per square foot — slabs at 4 and 6 inches.
- How much does a 4×4 concrete slab weigh — pads you may need to lift or haul away.
Why weight matters
- Hauling bags. Dry mix weighs about as much as the concrete it makes — a cubic yard of 80 lb bags is 3,600 lb. Check your vehicle’s payload sticker.
- Demolition. Broken concrete still weighs about the same per cubic foot, but takes up more space loose. Dumpster companies often limit weight, not just volume.
- Elevated loads. Countertops, planters and slabs on decks or upper floors put real weight on the structure below. An engineer should check anything beyond ordinary countertops.
- Trucks on driveways. NRMCA puts a loaded ready-mix truck at about 80,000 lb.
What you’ll need
- Contractor wheelbarrowMid-range price
A 6 cu ft steel or poly tray with a pneumatic tire moves concrete from the mixer to the forms. Never load it to the brim with wet concrete.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Nitrile-coated work glovesBudget price
Wet concrete and mortar are caustic. Keep the cement off your skin with waterproof gloves, and wash off any that gets in.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Square-point shovelBudget price
Pushes and places concrete, and loads sand and gravel. The flat blade spreads a pour better than a round-point shovel.
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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 wet concrete weigh compared with cured concrete?
Nearly the same. Concrete keeps most of its mixing water chemically or in its pores as it cures; it loses a little to evaporation. For planning, use 140–150 lb per cu ft either way.
How much does a cubic metre of concrete weigh?
About 2,240–2,400 kg for normal-weight concrete (140–150 lb/cu ft), roughly 2.3 tonnes.
How much does a ton of concrete cover?
A ton (2,000 lb) at 145 lb/cu ft is about 13.8 cu ft — roughly 41 sq ft of a 4 in slab.
How much does an 80 lb bag of concrete weigh once mixed?
About 84–89 lb: 80 lb of mix plus the 6–9 pints of water Quikrete calls for. At 0.6 cu ft and about 140 lb per cu ft, that checks out.
Sources
- Iowa DOT Instructional Memorandum 340 — Weight per cubic foot, yield and air content of concrete (opens in a new tab) — Normal-weight concrete is typically 140–150 lb per cu ft at 5 to 8 percent air.
- 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.
- 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.
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General Tables of Units of Measurement (opens in a new tab) — 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; 1 cubic foot = 1,728 cubic inches.