Concrete · quantities & cost

Concrete slab calculator — cubic yards, bags & cost

A slab’s volume is length × width × thickness. A 10 × 10 ft slab at 4 in thick needs 1.23 cubic yards — about 56 80-lb bags or a short ready-mix delivery. Enter your dimensions for exact quantities, bag counts, and a cost estimate at August 2026 national-average prices.

Your slabUpdates as you type
Feet — 20, 20' 6", or 246"
Patios 4 · driveways 4–5 · garages 5–6
From your plant's quote — remembered on this device
Your estimate 10 × 10 ft · 4 in
1.5yd³
to order (waste included)
Exact volume
1.23 yd³ · 33.3 ft³
Bagged instead (waste incl.)
62 × 80-lb · 82 × 60-lb
Ready-mix cost estimate
$240 ($218–$293 at $145–$195/yd)
Bag cost estimate
$403 at $6.50/80-lb bag

At this size a short ready-mix load and bags are both realistic — compare the two estimates above, and watch for short-load fees ($50–$150) on small truck orders.

Budget mode — start from a dollar amount
Ready-mix only — base, forms, and fees extra

Enter a budget to see what it buys.

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Common slab sizes, worked out

Every row uses the same math as the calculator (4 in thick unless noted). Open any size in the calculator to adjust thickness or add cost.

SlabCubic yards (exact)80-lb bags (exact)Typical order*
10 × 10 ft · 4 in 1.23 yd³ 56 1.5 yd³ Open ›
10 × 12 ft · 4 in 1.48 yd³ 67 1.75 yd³ Open ›
12 × 12 ft · 4 in 1.78 yd³ 80 2 yd³ Open ›
12 × 16 ft · 4 in 2.37 yd³ 107 2.75 yd³ Open ›
16 × 16 ft · 4 in 3.16 yd³ 143 3.5 yd³ Open ›
20 × 20 ft · 4 in 4.94 yd³ — 5.5 yd³ Open ›
24 × 24 ft · 4 in 7.11 yd³ — 8 yd³ Open ›
12 × 24 ft · 5 in (parking pad) 4.44 yd³ — 5 yd³ Open ›
24 × 24 ft · 6 in (garage) 10.67 yd³ — 11.75 yd³ Open ›
30 × 30 ft · 5 in 13.89 yd³ — 15.5 yd³ Open ›
40 × 60 ft · 6 in (shop) 44.44 yd³ — 49 yd³ Open ›

*Typical order = exact volume + 10% waste, rounded up to the quarter yard most suppliers sell. Bags shown where bag-mixing is realistic (under ~150 bags).

How this calculator works

Prices updated August 2026

Volume: length (ft) × width (ft) × thickness (in) ÷ 12 = cubic feet; ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Bags: an 80-lb bag yields 0.60 ft³ and a 60-lb bag 0.45 ft³ (manufacturer yield specs), so a cubic yard is 45 × 80-lb or 60 × 60-lb bags. Waste: we recommend 10% for typical slabs (uneven subgrade, spillage, over-excavation); 5% suits formed pours on a screeded base.

Prices: ready-mix $145–$195/yd³ delivered (avg ~$160) for 3,000–4,000 PSI within ~20 miles of the plant; 3,000–4,000 PSI mix, delivered within ~20 miles. Short-load fees of $50–$150 are common on orders under ~4 yd³. 80-lb bags priced at $6.50 (Quikrete 80-lb $6.47 at Home Depot, Aug 2026 ($6.15/bag at 42+)). Sources: Concrete Network and retailer listings. National averages — your local quote decides.

Common questions

How much concrete do I need for a 20×20 slab?

A 20 × 20 ft slab at 4 inches thick needs 4.94 cubic yards (133 cubic feet) of concrete. Order about 5.5 yards to cover waste and an uneven subgrade. At the August 2026 national average of ~$160/yd delivered, that is roughly $880 of ready-mix.

How many bags of concrete are in a cubic yard?

One cubic yard = 45 80-lb bags, 60 60-lb bags, 72 50-lb bags, or 90 40-lb bags. An 80-lb bag yields about 0.60 cubic feet of mixed concrete.

How thick should a concrete slab be?

Common practice: patios, walkways, and shed pads 4 in; car driveways 4–5 in (6 in where trucks or RVs park); garage floors 5–6 in. Thickened edges and footings are governed by local code — always check before pouring.

Should I mix bags or order a ready-mix truck?

Above roughly 1 cubic yard (~45 80-lb bags), a truck is usually less work and competitive on price once bag costs add up — but orders under ~4 yards often carry a $50–$150 short-load fee. Bags win for small pours and repairs; trucks win from about a 10 × 10 slab upward if the site has access.

Do I need rebar or wire mesh?

Typical practice (not structural advice): 4-in patios use fiber mix or 6×6 welded wire mesh; driveways use mesh or #3–#4 rebar on a 12–18 in grid. Anything load-bearing or code-governed (footings, garage slabs) should follow your local building department’s requirements.

Related tools

Gravel calculator

Most slabs sit on 4 in of compacted base — size the gravel under this pour.

Bags vs ready-mix truck

The crossover math behind the two cost estimates above.