How to use this calculator
- Enter Area in sq ft.
- Enter Thickness in in.
- Enter Concrete per cu yd in $.
- Enter Labor in $/sq ft.
- Press Calculate. The highlighted row is your order quantity; the note beneath it translates the number into real-world terms.
Formula & constants
2026 installed flatwork runs $6–$12 per sq ft: ready-mix at $130–$180/cy plus $3–$5/sq ft for forming, placing and finishing. Decorative finishes add $3–$10/sq ft. Every default in the fields above is editable — when your supplier’s spec sheet lists a different density, coverage rate or price, enter that number instead. The waste and compaction allowances follow common trade practice; see our methodology page for the derivation of each formula and the standards it references.
Where this fits in the project
Concrete work starts below grade: excavation, then a compacted gravel base for drainage, formwork, rebar where the slab spec requires it, then the pour. Order by cubic yard and round up — a short load fee costs more than surplus material.
How this connects to your project
No quantity stands alone — each material in the chain depends on the ones around it. These are the planning steps that pair with the concrete cost calculator:
- Concrete Calculator — Calculate yardage first, then pricing.
- Concrete Slab Calculator — Estimate total cost for slab projects.
- Ready Mix Calculator — Short load fees and truck charges affect total cost.
- Concrete Bag Calculator — Compare bag vs ready mix costs for small projects.
- Rebar Calculator — Reinforcement adds to total concrete cost.
- Concrete Footing Calculator — Footing concrete costs are part of foundation budget.
- Asphalt Cost Calculator — Compare concrete vs asphalt paving costs.
- Driveway Cost Estimator — Concrete is a driveway material option.
- Concrete Block Calculator — Compare poured concrete vs block wall costs.
Frequently asked questions
Concrete vs asphalt driveway cost?
Concrete: $6–12/sq ft installed, 30+ year life. Asphalt: $4–8, 15–20 years with sealing. Climate usually decides.
Why do small pours cost more per yard?
Short-load fees: trucks under ~4 cu yd add $75–$150 because delivery cost is fixed per trip.
Last verified: — prices reflect current national averages. See our methodology.
Estimates are for planning. Material densities, coverage rates and prices vary by region and supplier — confirm final quantities before ordering, and check local code where structural or electrical work is involved.