How Much Does a Yard of Concrete Weigh?
A cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,000 pounds, or roughly 2 tons. That is for standard mixed concrete with normal aggregate. Wet or cured, the weight stays close to that figure, since concrete loses only a small amount of water as it hardens.
Break it down and the numbers are easier to picture:
| Measure | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | ~4,000 lb (2 tons) |
| 1 cubic foot | ~150 lb |
| 80 lb bag (mixed) | ~80 lb |
| Full 10-yard truck (concrete only) | ~40,000 lb |
Why concrete is so heavy
Concrete is mostly sand, gravel, and cement, all dense materials. A cubic foot comes in around 150 pounds, which is why a slab that looks modest can weigh several tons. The water you add to mix it is a small share of the total weight, so a freshly poured yard and a fully cured yard weigh nearly the same. Curing drives off a little moisture, trimming the weight slightly, but not enough to change your planning.
What changes the weight
Not all concrete weighs the same. A few things move the number up or down:
- Aggregate type. Heavy aggregates like basalt push the weight higher. Lightweight aggregates such as expanded shale or clay can bring a yard down to 2,000 to 3,000 pounds, which is why lightweight concrete exists for upper floors and panels.
- Reinforcement. Rebar and wire mesh add weight to a finished slab beyond the concrete itself.
- Moisture. Wet concrete is marginally heavier than fully cured concrete, though the difference is small.
- Air content. Air-entrained mixes made for freeze-thaw climates are slightly lighter.
For everyday residential work with a standard mix, plan on 4,000 pounds a yard and you will be right.
When the weight matters
You care about concrete weight in a few real situations. Hauling bagged concrete means checking your trailer or truck payload, since a pallet of bags adds up quickly. Pouring on an elevated deck or upper floor means the structure has to carry the load, which is where lightweight mixes come in. And breaking out and disposing of an old slab means weight drives your dumpster size and hauling cost.
To turn your slab into a weight, first work out the volume with the concrete calculator, then multiply the cubic yards by 4,000 pounds.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?
About 4,000 pounds, or 2 tons, for a standard mix.
How much does a yard of concrete weigh per cubic foot?
Around 150 pounds per cubic foot, which works out to roughly 4,000 pounds across the 27 cubic feet in a yard.
Does wet concrete weigh more than dry?
Slightly. Wet concrete is a little heavier, but curing only drives off a small amount of water, so the difference is minor.
How much does a full concrete truck weigh?
The concrete alone in a 10-yard load is about 40,000 pounds. With the truck, the loaded rig can exceed 66,000 pounds.