Concrete Cost Calculator
Enter your pour, then your own prices: the bag price from your store and the price per yard from your supplier. Add delivery fees and sales tax to see both totals side by side.
Last updated November 13, 2026
How to calculate concrete cost
There are two ways to buy concrete, and each has its own math.
- Bags: number of bags × price per bag.
- Ready-mix: yards ordered × price per yard, plus delivery and any short-load fee.
- Both: add sales tax where it applies.
Cost per cubic yard of bagged concrete
Multiply your bag price by the number of bags in a yard. The table shows the multiplier and a worked example. The example price is only there to show the math.
| Bag size | Bags per yard | Formula | Example at $6.00 a bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 lb | 45 | bag price × 45 | $270 per yard |
| 60 lb | 60 | bag price × 60 | $360 per yard |
| 50 lb | 72 | bag price × 72 | $432 per yard |
| 40 lb | 90 | bag price × 90 | $540 per yard |
Larger bags almost always cost less per yard, because you pay for fewer bags to make the same volume.
Why we do not list prices
Concrete prices change by region, by season and from one supplier to the next. A published average would be wrong for most readers. Two phone calls to local suppliers and a look at your store shelf give you real numbers in ten minutes.
What to ask a ready-mix supplier
- Price per cubic yard for the strength you need.
- Minimum order and the short-load fee below it.
- Delivery charge to your address.
- How long the truck can stay on site before waiting time is charged.
- Extra charges for weekends, small loads or additives.
Costs this calculator does not include
Labor, excavation, gravel base, forms, reinforcement, pumping, finishing and sealing. For a contractor quote, ask for these as separate lines so you can compare bids.
How much is a bag of concrete?
It depends on the store, the region and the month, which is why this page does not print a number that would be out of date by the time you read it. To find out how much a bag of concrete costs where you live, open your home center’s website, set your ZIP code and look up the 80 lb bag of concrete mix. That price is your local price today. Type it into the calculator and every total on this page updates. While you are there, check whether the store lists a lower per-bag price for a full pallet.
The same goes for anyone asking how much cement costs. A bag of cement in everyday speech usually means a bag of concrete mix. Pure portland cement is a separate product, sold in 94 lb bags, and you would also need to buy sand and gravel. See cement vs concrete.
Concrete slab price: a 12 × 20 example
A 12 × 20 ft slab at 4 inches is 240 square feet and 2.96 cubic yards. With 10% for waste that is 147 bags of 80 lb mix, or a 3.5 yard ready-mix order.
- Bags: 147 × your price per bag.
- Ready-mix: 3.5 × the price per yard, plus delivery and any short-load fee.
- Per square foot: divide either total by 240.
Use the same three lines to price a driveway. The concrete driveway calculator gives the yardage for the thicker slab a driveway needs.
Pricing a truckload: 8, 9 or 10 yards
For a larger order the formula is yards × price per yard, plus delivery, plus sales tax. Eight, nine and ten yards normally fit on a single truck, so a short-load fee is less likely, but ask. Suppliers may also charge for extra time on site, a pump, weekend delivery or additives, and a quote should list each one.
| Order | Concrete line | Then add |
|---|---|---|
| 8 yards | 8 × price per yard | Delivery, fees, tax |
| 9 yards | 9 × price per yard | Delivery, fees, tax |
| 10 yards | 10 × price per yard | Delivery, fees, tax |
Enter the price per yard, the fees and your tax rate in the ready-mix section of the calculator to see one total.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the cost of concrete?
For bags, multiply the number of bags by the price per bag. For ready-mix, multiply the yards you order by the price per yard, then add delivery and short-load fees. Add sales tax to both.
How do I work out the cost per cubic yard of bagged concrete?
Multiply the bag price by the number of bags in a yard: 45 for 80 lb, 60 for 60 lb, 72 for 50 lb and 90 for 40 lb.
What is a short-load fee?
A charge many ready-mix suppliers add when you order less than a set number of yards. Ask what the threshold and the fee are when you call.
Does this include labor?
No. The calculator covers materials. Labor, site preparation, forms, reinforcement and finishing are separate.
Which is cheaper, bags or ready-mix?
It depends on your prices and the size of the job. Small pours usually favor bags because of delivery fees. Larger pours usually favor ready-mix. The calculator shows both totals.
How much does a bag of concrete cost?
Prices change by store, region and season, so we do not publish one. Check your local store’s website with your ZIP code, then enter that price in the calculator.
How do I work out concrete cost per square foot?
Divide the total cost of the concrete by the slab area in square feet. For a 12 × 20 slab, divide by 240.