Concrete Calculator in Yards
This concrete calculator gives your result in cubic yards, the unit ready-mix concrete is ordered in. Enter length, width and thickness below, and it converts the volume to cubic yards automatically by dividing the cubic feet by 27, with bags and cost shown alongside.
- Cubic feet
- 0
- Estimated cost
- $0.00
Enter your dimensions to see the result.
Estimate only. Material yields and prices vary by supplier and region; confirm before ordering.
How Do You Convert Concrete to Cubic Yards?
To convert concrete to cubic yards, first calculate the volume in cubic feet (length times width times thickness, all in feet), then divide by 27, because one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. For example, 54 cubic feet divided by 27 equals 2 cubic yards. This conversion matters because suppliers quote and deliver ready-mix exclusively in cubic yards, so the cubic foot figure is only an intermediate step.
Why Is Concrete Ordered in Cubic Yards?
Concrete is ordered in cubic yards because ready-mix trucks and pricing are built around that unit: a standard truck carries up to about 10 cubic yards. Knowing your figure in yards lets you order the right load size and avoid short-load fees, which apply when you buy less than the truck minimum. The calculator gives you the yardage directly so you can place an accurate order.
How Many Cubic Yards Is a Typical Pour?
It helps to anchor the number. A one-car patio or small shed base is often around 1 to 2 cubic yards, a standard driveway can run 4 to 8 cubic yards, and a full foundation can reach into the tens of yards. Because the jump from bags to ready-mix happens at roughly half a cubic yard, almost any real slab is a ready-mix job. Use the calculator to place your project on that scale.
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How Do You Calculate Yards of Concrete?
Formula
Cubic Yards = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Thickness (ft) / 27
- Measure length, width and thickness in feet (convert inches by dividing by 12).
- Multiply the three for cubic feet.
- Divide by 27 for cubic yards.
Worked example
A 20 ft x 24 ft driveway at 5 inches thick: 5 / 12 = 0.417 ft; 20 x 24 x 0.417 = 200 cubic feet; 200 / 27 = about 7.4 cubic yards.
- Ready-mix is sold by the cubic yard, with trucks carrying about 8 to 11 yards.
- Round up to the nearest quarter yard and add a waste allowance when ordering.
Frequently asked questions
- How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard of concrete?
- There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. To convert, divide your total cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards, the unit concrete is sold in.
- How do I calculate cubic yards of concrete?
- Multiply length by width by thickness in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. If thickness is in inches, divide it by 12 first. The calculator does this for you.
- How many yards of concrete can a truck carry?
- A standard ready-mix truck carries up to about 10 cubic yards. Larger pours need multiple trucks or staged delivery, which is worth planning around your calculated yardage.
- How many yards of concrete do I need for a driveway?
- Calculate length times width times thickness in feet, then divide by 27. A 20 by 24 foot driveway at 5 inches thick needs about 7.4 cubic yards.