Concrete Estimator
Estimate how much concrete you need and what it will cost. Enter your dimensions, shape, and local price per cubic yard to get a full material cost breakdown.
Just need the volume? Use the Concrete Calculator →
This concrete cost estimator calculates both the volume you need and the estimated material cost for your project. When you need to estimate how much concrete you need — and what it will cost — enter your dimensions, select your pour shape, and add your local price per cubic yard to get an instant result. The price-per-yard field is what turns this concrete material cost calculator into a budget tool, not just a volume tool — that distinction matters when you're planning a driveway, patio, or foundation pour. Leave the price field blank to get volume results only.
How to Use the Concrete Estimator
- Select your pour shape — rectangle, circle, or triangle.
- Enter dimensions in feet (length and width, diameter, or base and height depending on shape).
- Enter depth or thickness in inches.
- Enter your local price per cubic yard — call a local readymix supplier for a current quote.
- Click "Estimate Concrete Cost" to get cubic yards and estimated material cost.
- Add 10% overage to your yard total before calling in your order.
Concrete Cost Example: 20×20 Driveway at 4 Inches
A 20-foot by 20-foot driveway slab poured at 4 inches thick at $150 per cubic yard:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume | 133.33 cubic feet |
| Cubic yards | 4.94 cu yd |
| Estimated material cost | $741.00 |
| 60lb bags (if bagged) | 297 bags |
| 80lb bags (if bagged) | 223 bags |
At 223 80lb bags, readymix is clearly the right call — this concrete estimator for driveway projects shows exactly why no one hand-mixes a pour this size. The $741 material estimate does not include delivery, labor, forming, or finishing costs.
When to Use This Estimator
Getting a budget number before calling a contractor. Walking into a contractor conversation knowing your material cost separates the quote from the markup. If a contractor quotes $2,500 for a 20×20 patio and your material cost is $741, you have a baseline to understand where the rest of the money goes — labor, delivery, forming, and finishing.
Comparing DIY versus hired work. Knowing your concrete material cost is the first step in a real DIY vs. hire comparison. If you can rent forms and a mixer, the gap between $741 in materials and a $2,500 contractor quote is your potential labor savings — minus your time and effort.
Checking supplier quotes. Readymix suppliers quote by the cubic yard. Enter your project dimensions and their quoted price to verify the quoted volume matches your calculated volume before signing anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does concrete cost per cubic yard?
Readymix concrete typically costs between $125 and $200 per cubic yard depending on region, mix strength, and current material prices. Delivery fees, minimum load charges, and short-load fees can add $100–$300 on top of the per-yard price. A 20×20 driveway at 4 inches needs 4.94 cubic yards — at $150 per yard that is $741 in material before any additional charges.
How do I estimate concrete for a driveway?
Measure length and width in feet and decide on thickness — 4 inches is standard for residential driveways, 6 inches for heavy vehicle areas. Multiply length × width × (thickness ÷ 12) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20×40 driveway at 4 inches equals 9.88 cubic yards. To finish the estimate, ask your local supplier how much does concrete cost per yard in your area — prices vary significantly by region — then enter that figure here.
What is the difference between a concrete calculator and a concrete estimator?
A concrete calculator gives volume — cubic feet, cubic yards, and bag counts. A concrete estimator multiplies your cubic yard total by a cost per yard to produce a material budget. The calculator answers "how much?" and the estimator answers "how much will it cost?" Both start from the same volume formula; the estimator adds the pricing layer on top.
How many cubic yards do I need for a 20x20 concrete pad?
A 20×20 pad at 4 inches thick requires 4.94 cubic yards. At 6 inches it is 7.41 cubic yards. At the national average of around $150 per cubic yard, a 4-inch 20×20 pad runs approximately $741 in concrete alone. That number does not include delivery, forming boards, rebar, or labor.
Should I use bags or readymix concrete for my project?
Bags make sense for small pours under about half a cubic yard — footings, posts, or small repair work. Above 1 cubic yard, readymix is almost always cheaper per cubic foot and involves far less mixing labor. A 20×20 pad at 4 inches requires 4.94 cubic yards, which would be 223 80lb bags to mix by hand — a clear readymix job. This estimator shows the bag count so you can see immediately which approach makes sense.