How Much Does a Yard of Concrete Cost?
Concrete is sold by the cubic yard, so the first question on any project is what a yard actually costs. This guide breaks down the average concrete price per yard — material versus delivered — what makes the number move, the cost per square foot for common slab thicknesses, and where bagged concrete beats ready-mix. The figures are US national averages as of 2025; your local prices will differ.
The average cost of a yard of concrete
There are two prices to keep straight. The material-only price is the concrete itself, picked up or before delivery. The delivered price adds the truck, driver, and fuel, and it is the number most homeowners actually pay. On top of that, small orders attract a short-load fee because the supplier still sends out a full truck.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Material only | $125 / yd³ |
| Delivered | $160 / yd³ |
| Short-load fee (under 10 yd³) | $30 / yd³ |
| Finishing labor | $2–$8 / ft² |
To price your own pour with these defaults — and edit them for your area — use the concrete cost calculator.
What drives the price
Five things move the cost per yard the most:
- Mix strength (PSI). A stronger mix uses more cement. Standard 3,000–4,000 PSI concrete is the baseline; higher strengths add a few dollars per yard.
- Delivery distance. The farther you are from the batch plant, the more the trip costs — some suppliers add a per-mile charge beyond a set radius.
- Short-load fees. Order less than the truck minimum (often around 10 cubic yards) and you pay a small-load surcharge.
- Region and season. Prices vary widely by metro area and tick up when demand is high in the building season.
- Labor and finishing. For an installed slab, labor is usually the biggest line — far more than the concrete itself.
Concrete cost per square foot
Thickness decides how much concrete a square foot of slab uses, so it drives the per-foot cost. These figures are the concrete material only, at the delivered price above; finishing labor is added separately.
| Slab thickness | Concrete only | Installed (with labor) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 inches | ≈ $1.98 / ft² | $5–8 / ft² |
| 5 inches | ≈ $2.47 / ft² | $6–10 / ft² |
| 6 inches | ≈ $2.96 / ft² | $7–12 / ft² |
The gap between the two columns is labor, reinforcement, and site work. For a tailored figure, the concrete slab cost calculator itemizes material, delivery, and labor with a low–high range.
Bagged vs ready-mix: the break-even
For small jobs, bagged concrete is cheaper and far more convenient than ordering a truck. Bags are priced per bag, and it takes a lot of them to fill a yard — about 45 × 80 lb bags make one cubic yard.
| Bag size | Price | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| 80 lb | $8 | 0.60 ft³ |
| 60 lb | $6.5 | 0.45 ft³ |
| 40 lb | $5.5 | 0.30 ft³ |
The break-even sits around half a cubic yard. Below that, bags usually win on price and effort; above it, a delivered yard is cheaper and you avoid mixing dozens of bags by hand. The concrete bag calculator gives the exact bag count for your size so you can compare directly.
How to budget your pour
Build your estimate in five steps:
- Work out the volume in cubic yards for your slab, footing, or pad.
- Multiply by the material price per yard for the concrete.
- Add delivery if you are ordering ready-mix.
- Add a short-load fee if the order is under the truck minimum.
- Add finishing labor per square foot for an installed price.
Worked example. A 20 × 20 ft slab at 4 inches is about 4.9 cubic yards. At $160 per yard delivered that is roughly $160 × 5 ≈ $800 of concrete before fees — and with finishing labor the installed job commonly lands a few thousand dollars higher. Always add 5–10% waste, and get a written quote before you book the pour.
Ready to run your numbers? Start with the concrete cost calculator, or read how much concrete do I need to size the pour first.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a yard of concrete?
On average a cubic yard of ready-mix runs about $125 for material only and roughly $150–165 delivered in the US. Small orders add a short-load fee, and a finished, labored pour costs more again.
Why does delivered concrete cost more than the material?
The delivered price includes the truck, driver, fuel, and plant time, not just the concrete. That is why suppliers quote a higher per-yard rate for delivery and add a short-load fee on small loads.
How much concrete can I get for $1,000?
At about $160 per cubic yard delivered, $1,000 buys roughly 6 cubic yards before fees — enough for a slab around 400 square feet at 4 inches thick. Short-load fees and labor reduce that.
Does higher-strength concrete cost more?
Yes. Stronger mixes use more cement, so each step up in PSI adds a few dollars per cubic yard. Most residential work uses 3,000–4,000 PSI; higher strengths are priced up from there.