Driveways, patios, floors
Round & square columns
Individual footings
Perimeter foundations
Cement, sand, aggregate
Convert bags to cubic yards
Whether you're planning a driveway, building a foundation, or pouring a patio, understanding concrete basics helps ensure your project's success. Our calculators use industry-standard formulas backed by the American Concrete Institute to give you accurate material estimates every time.
Slabs are the workhorses of concrete construction. From your driveway to your patio, they provide flat, durable surfaces that last for decades when properly installed. The key is getting the thickness right - too thin and it cracks, too thick and you're wasting money.
A 20ft × 20ft driveway, 6 inches thick:
20 × 20 × 0.5 = 200 cubic feet
200 ÷ 27 = 7.4 cubic yards
Pro tip: Always order 10% extra for waste
Columns carry the weight of your structure down to the foundation. Whether you're building a deck, porch, or carport, getting the column size right is crucial. Round columns look great but square ones are easier to build - choose based on your project needs and skill level.
12-inch diameter, 10-foot tall column:
π × (0.5)² × 10 = 7.85 cubic feet
7.85 ÷ 27 = 0.29 cubic yards
Think of footings as the shoes of your building - they spread the weight over a larger area so your structure doesn't sink. The size depends on your soil type and building weight. When in doubt, go bigger - it's much harder to fix a undersized footing than to pour a bit more concrete at the start.
Strip footing: 100ft perimeter, 24" wide, 12" deep:
100 × 2 × 1 = 200 cubic feet
200 ÷ 27 = 7.4 cubic yards
Order 10% extra concrete - it's much cheaper than calling the truck back. For large pours, have a backup plan for excess concrete like a sidewalk extension or extra parking pad.
Never pour in freezing weather or on frozen ground. Hot days? Start early morning and keep that concrete damp for the first week. Rain in the forecast? Reschedule - water dilutes the mix.
Spend time on ground prep - compact that soil, add gravel base for slabs, and use form oil. A few extra hours of prep saves days of fixing problems later.
Don't rush the finish. Wait for bleed water to disappear before finishing. Start curing immediately - concrete needs water to gain strength. Cover with plastic or use a curing compound.
For detailed technical guidance, visit the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Very accurate! We use the same formulas that ready-mix companies use, plus we automatically add 10% for waste. Our calculations match industry standards to ensure you order the right amount.
For most home projects, standard 3000 PSI concrete works great. We calculate using a 1:1.5:3 ratio (cement:sand:gravel) which gives you strong, durable concrete. Need something special? Just adjust in our material calculator.
Absolutely! Hit the "Export to PDF" button after any calculation. You'll get a professional document with all your measurements - perfect for permits, contractors, or your records.
Driveways and sidewalks usually need wire mesh or fiber. Structural elements like footings and walls need rebar. When in doubt, add reinforcement - it's cheap insurance against cracks.
You can walk on concrete after 24-48 hours. Drive on it after 7 days. Full strength takes 28 days, but it's usable much sooner. Keep it moist the first week for best results.
Don't pour if it's below 40°F or will freeze within 24 hours. Cold slows curing and freezing ruins concrete. In winter, use heated concrete or insulating blankets, or just wait for warmer weather.
