Concrete Cost Calculator
Concrete is priced two ways: per cubic yard delivered, or per bag mixed yourself. This concrete cost calculator prices both at your local numbers and tells you which one wins for your pour.
Bag prices near you (optional — for the bagged-mix comparison)
Ready-mix delivered
$489
material only, per yd³ above
80-lb bags
$871
134 bags × $7
60-lb bags
$890
178 bags × $5
40-lb bags
$961
267 bags × $4
Ready-mix is cheaper for this pour — and you avoid mixing 134 bags by hand.
Formula
Both paths start from the same volume — length × width × thickness:
ready-mix cost = [volume (ft³) ÷ 27] × price per yd³ bagged cost = bags needed × price per bag
- Bags from volume: ft³ ÷ 0.60 for 80-lb, ÷ 0.45 for 60-lb, ÷ 0.30 for 40-lb
- The verdict flips with your inputs — edit every price field
Want the same price expressed per square foot of slab instead of per yard? The concrete slab cost per square foot guide does that conversion with worked examples.
Example
- A 12 × 20 ft slab at 4 inches is 80 ft³, or 2.96 yd³.
- Ready-mix: 2.96 × $165 ≈ $489.
- Bags: 134 × 80-lb at $6.50 = $871; 178 × 60-lb at $5.00 = $890.
- For a pour this size, ready-mix saves about $380 — and a day of mixing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does concrete cost per cubic yard?
Delivered ready-mix typically runs $150–$180 per cubic yard in most US markets, with short-load fees (often $40–$75) on orders under about 3–4 yards. Bagged mix works out to roughly $190–$230 per yard in 80-lb bags once you price the sacks — cheaper to buy only for small pours.
Is it cheaper to mix your own concrete?
Below about one cubic yard (45 × 80-lb bags), yes — you save the delivery and short-load fees and can work at your own pace. Above that, ready-mix wins on both price and your back: hand-mixing 45 bags is a full day for two people.
Does the estimated cost include labor and forms?
No — the calculators here price the concrete itself. Budget separately for forms and stakes, a compacted gravel base, reinforcement (mesh or rebar), and any finishing tools. Formed-and-poured labor, when hired out, often doubles the total.
Why did the calculator pick a different option than I expected?
The verdict uses the bag prices you entered. Big-box bag prices vary by region and sales, and delivery quotes vary by distance and load size — adjust any price field and the comparison updates instantly.