How much is a yard of concrete?

Ready-mix concrete typically costs $120–$200 per cubic yard in the US in 2026, depending on your region, mix design, and supplier. Standard 3,000 PSI residential mix runs $120–$160/yd³ in most markets. High-strength 4,000 PSI mix costs $140–$180/yd³. Most suppliers have a minimum order of 1 cubic yard, with short-load fees for orders under their minimum (usually 3–5 yards).

How much does a concrete slab cost?

A concrete slab typically costs $4–$8 per square foot for materials and labor combined. A 400 sq ft (20x20) patio slab at 4 inches thick runs approximately $1,600–$3,200 installed. Factors affecting cost: thickness, reinforcement (rebar or wire mesh), site accessibility, finish type (broom, exposed aggregate, stamped), and regional labor rates.

How much concrete do I need for a 10x10 slab?

A 10x10 ft slab at 4 inches thick requires approximately 1.23 cubic yards of concrete (10 × 10 × 0.333 ft ÷ 27 = 1.23 yd³). Add 10% waste for a total order of about 1.35 yards. Most suppliers have a minimum order — you may pay a short-load fee for less than 3–5 yards. For small slabs, bagged concrete may be more economical.

Does this calculator include labor?

No — this calculator estimates material cost only. Labor typically adds $2–$5 per square foot depending on region and complexity. Additional costs include: delivery fees ($150–$300), pump hire if needed ($400–$800), rebar or wire mesh, formwork, and finishing. Get quotes from local contractors for a full installed price.

Why include a waste allowance for concrete?

A 5–10% waste allowance accounts for spillage, uneven subgrade, over-excavation, and slight variations in the pour. Running out of concrete mid-pour is a serious problem — you cannot stop a pour and resume later. Always order slightly more than your calculated volume.

Concrete Cost Calculator – Price Per Yard & Slab Cost Estimator

Length (feet)

Width (feet)

Thickness (inches)

Waste allowance (%)

Running out mid-pour is a serious problem — always order a little extra.

Concrete price per cubic yard ($)

US average: $120–$200/yd³. See price table below.

Concrete Price Per Yard — 2026 Reference Guide

This calculator estimates material cost based on your dimensions and local concrete price per cubic yard. The reference tables below show typical ready-mix pricing, slab costs by size, and installed cost breakdowns to help you budget accurately.

Concrete Price Per Cubic Yard (2026 US Averages)

Mix / PSI	Price per yd³	Common use
2,500 PSI	$110–$145	Sidewalks, light patios
3,000 PSI	$120–$160	Standard residential — driveways, slabs, footings
3,500 PSI	$135–$175	Garage floors, heavy-duty residential
4,000 PSI	$145–$185	Commercial slabs, structural applications
Fiber-reinforced	$150–$200	Crack-resistant floors, flatwork
Colored / stamped	$165–$220+	Decorative patios and driveways

Prices vary significantly by region. Short-load fees ($50–$150) apply for orders under the supplier minimum (typically 3–5 yd³). Always get local quotes.

Concrete Slab Cost — Common Project Sizes

Slab size	Area	yd³ at 4"	Material only	Installed est.
10×10 ft	100 sq ft	1.2 yd³	$145–$195	$400–$800
12×12 ft	144 sq ft	1.8 yd³	$215–$285	$575–$1,150
16×16 ft	256 sq ft	3.2 yd³	$380–$510	$1,025–$2,050
20×20 ft	400 sq ft	5.0 yd³	$595–$795	$1,600–$3,200
24×24 ft (2-car garage)	576 sq ft	7.1 yd³	$850–$1,140	$2,300–$4,600
30×40 ft	1,200 sq ft	14.8 yd³	$1,770–$2,370	$4,800–$9,600

Material cost at $120–$160/yd³. Installed includes labor, site prep, and basic finish. Rebar, pump hire, and decorative finishes add cost.

What Affects Concrete Cost?

Slab thickness — 4" is standard residential; 6" for driveways and heavy loads
Mix strength (PSI) — higher PSI = more cement = higher cost per yard
Delivery distance — longer hauls add time and cost; concrete has a limited working time
Short-load fees — orders under the supplier minimum (3–5 yd³) incur surcharges
Reinforcement — rebar adds $0.50–$1.50/sq ft; wire mesh adds $0.20–$0.50/sq ft
Pump hire — required for inaccessible pours; typically $400–$800 per day
Finishing — broom finish is standard; exposed aggregate or stamped adds $5–$20/sq ft
Regional labor rates — vary 30–50% between low-cost rural and metro markets

Concrete Volume Quick Reference

Thickness	yd³ per 100 sq ft	yd³ per 500 sq ft	yd³ per 1,000 sq ft
3 inches	0.93	4.63	9.26
4 inches	1.23	6.17	12.35
5 inches	1.54	7.72	15.43
6 inches	1.85	9.26	18.52

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready-mix concrete typically costs $120–$200 per cubic yard in the US in 2026. Standard 3,000 PSI residential mix runs $120–$160/yd³. Most suppliers have a minimum order — orders under 3–5 yards may incur a short-load fee of $50–$150. See the price table above for a full breakdown by mix strength.

A concrete slab typically costs $4–$8 per square foot installed, including site prep, materials, and basic broom finish. A 400 sq ft (20×20) patio runs roughly $1,600–$3,200. A 576 sq ft two-car garage slab costs $2,300–$4,600. Stamped or decorative finishes add $5–$20/sq ft on top.

A 10×10 ft slab at 4 inches thick requires approximately 1.23 cubic yards of concrete (10 × 10 × 0.333 ÷ 27). Add 5–10% waste for a total order of about 1.3–1.35 yards. Most suppliers have minimums — for small pours like this, bagged concrete mixed on site may be more economical than ordering ready-mix.

No — this calculator estimates material cost only. Labor typically adds $2–$5 per square foot. Additional costs include delivery ($150–$300), pump hire if needed ($400–$800), rebar or wire mesh, formwork, and finishing. Use the contractor quote form above for a full installed price estimate.

A 5–10% waste allowance covers spillage, uneven subgrade, over-excavation, and slight pour variations. Running out of concrete mid-pour is a serious problem — you cannot stop and resume later without creating a cold joint weakness. Always order slightly more than your exact calculated volume.

Most ready-mix suppliers have a minimum delivery of 1 cubic yard, but charge short-load fees for orders under their minimum — typically 3–5 cubic yards. Short-load fees commonly run $50–$150. For projects needing less than 1 yard, bagged concrete is usually more economical.

Concrete Project Planning Checklist

Reviewed by Maria Ramirez, PE. Covers subgrade prep, forming, reinforcement, ordering quantities, pour scheduling, curing time, and inspection steps before and after pouring.

Download Checklist (PDF)

Planning reference only. See Methodology and Data Sources. View all project checklists →

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Concrete Slab Calculator Concrete Bag Calculator Concrete Footing Calculator Rebar Calculator Driveway Cost Estimator Gravel Calculator

Accuracy & Review

Reviewed by: Maria Ramirez, PE

Maria is a licensed Professional Engineer with experience in residential and light commercial concrete quantity takeoffs. She reviewed the formulas, unit conversions, rounding rules, and default assumptions used in this calculator.

Last updated: Feb 12, 2026

See: Methodology · Data Sources · Review Board

Disclaimer: This calculator estimates rough material cost for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary based on site conditions, supplier minimums, delivery fees, reinforcement, and regional labor rates. Always confirm final quantities and pricing with your supplier before ordering.

See Methodology and Data Sources for calculation assumptions.

Concrete Cost Calculator

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