Concrete Cost Calculator
This concrete cost calculator turns your pour into a dollar estimate. Enter the dimensions and your local prices — the fields are pre-filled with US averages — and it returns an itemized total for material, delivery, and optional labor, plus a bag-vs-ready-mix comparison. It is a concrete price calculator that shows the cost per yard behind every number.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the length, width, and thickness of the pour.
- Adjust the prices to match a local quote — the defaults are national averages.
- Tick Include finishing labor if you want an installed price with a low–high range.
- Read the itemized total, and compare the ready-mix and bagged options.
How concrete is priced
Concrete is sold by the cubic yard, so the cost starts with volume. The calculator finds your cubic yards, then multiplies by the material price per yard and adds a delivery charge. If your order is below the truck minimum, a short-load fee is added because the supplier still sends a full truck. Bagged concrete is priced per bag instead, which is why small jobs can be cheaper in bags and large jobs cheaper delivered.
Labor is the wild card. The raw concrete in a slab is only a couple of dollars per square foot, but forming, placing, finishing, and reinforcing it is where most of an installed price goes — which is why the labor estimate is shown as a low–mid–high range.
Typical concrete prices (US averages)
These figures are national averages as of 2025 and are the defaults in the calculator above. Your local prices will differ — always confirm with a supplier.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Ready-mix, material only | $125 / yd³ |
| Ready-mix, delivered | $160 / yd³ |
| Short-load fee (under 10 yd³) | $30 / yd³ |
| 80 lb bag | $8 |
| 60 lb bag | $6.5 |
| 40 lb bag | $5.5 |
| Finishing labor | $2–$8 / ft² |
For project-specific cost tools, see the slab cost calculator, the driveway cost calculator, or the pad cost calculator. To work out volume first, use the yardage calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of concrete cost?
In the US, ready-mix concrete averages about $125 per cubic yard for material only, or roughly $150–165 delivered. Small orders under the truck minimum add a short-load fee. Prices vary by region, mix strength, and season.
How much does concrete cost per square foot?
A 4-inch slab uses about 0.012 cubic yards per square foot, so the concrete alone is roughly $2 per square foot. With finishing labor, a poured slab typically runs $5–10 per square foot installed.
Is it cheaper to mix your own concrete?
For small jobs, bagged concrete is cheaper and more convenient. Once you pass about half a cubic yard, ready-mix is usually cheaper per yard and far less work than mixing 45+ bags by hand. This tool shows both so you can compare.
What is a short-load fee?
Ready-mix trucks have a minimum order, often around 10 cubic yards. Order less and the supplier adds a short-load (small-delivery) surcharge to cover the trip. Enter your supplier’s minimum and fee to include it.
Does this calculator include labor?
Labor is optional. Tick “Include finishing labor” to add a per-square-foot finishing cost with a low–mid–high range. Leave it off to price the concrete material and delivery only.