🧱 How to Calculate Concrete Volume for Your Project (Free Tool Below)
Whether you're pouring a patio, driveway, or foundation, knowing how much concrete you need is essential. Get it wrong, and you risk wasting money—or worse, running out halfway through the pour. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to calculate concrete volume step by step. Or you can skip ahead and use our free Concrete Calculator to do the math for you.
Russell Morris
6/11/20251 min read
How to Calculate Concrete Volume for Your Project (Free Tool Below)
Step 1: Measure Your Space
Grab a measuring tape and write down the length, width, and thickness (or depth) of the area you’ll be pouring concrete.
For example:
Length: 10 feet
Width: 12 feet
Thickness: 4 inches
Step 2: Convert Inches to Feet
Concrete volume is calculated in cubic feet or yards, so you’ll need to convert the thickness from inches to feet:
4 inches ÷ 12 = 0.33 feet
Step 3: Use the Concrete Volume Formula
Multiply the dimensions using this formula:
Length × Width × Thickness (in feet) = Volume in cubic feet
10 × 12 × 0.33 = 39.6 cubic feet
To convert to cubic yards:
39.6 ÷ 27 = 1.47 cubic yards
Step 4: Estimate Bags of Concrete
Here’s how many cubic feet a typical bag covers:
60 lb bag: ~0.45 cubic feet
80 lb bag: ~0.6 cubic feet
Divide your total cubic feet by those numbers to get the number of bags needed:
60 lb bags: 39.6 ÷ 0.45 ≈ 88 bags
80 lb bags: 39.6 ÷ 0.6 ≈ 66 bags
Avoid These Common Mistakes
❌ Forgetting to allow for waste (add 5–10% extra)
❌ Misjudging slope or uneven ground
❌ Mixing feet and inches inconsistently
Use Our Free Concrete Calculator Tool
Don’t want to do the math yourself? We’ve got you covered. Use our Concrete Calculator to instantly get your results. Just plug in your dimensions and see exactly how much concrete you need.
👉 Try the Free Calculator Now »
Conclusion
Calculating concrete volume doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you’re doing it by hand or using a tool, planning ahead ensures your project goes smoothly. Got questions or need help with your next pour? Contact Morris Concrete at 903-787-2101—we’ve been serving Texas with quality work for over 40 years.