Concrete Cost per Yard Calculator
Estimate what a concrete pour will cost — enter the cubic yards (or slab dimensions), price per yard, delivery and any short-load fee to get a low-to-high total and the cost per cubic foot.
United States — national average · 2026 prices
Material only unless stated as installed. Excludes tax, permits and local labour. Verify with local suppliers — see how we calculate.
How this calculator works
Every figure above comes from the formula below, applied to the assumptions listed. Nothing is looked up from a hidden table — you can reproduce the result by hand.
Formula
cubic yards = length × width × thickness (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × (1 + waste ÷ 100)
concrete cost = cubic yards × price per yd³
short-load fee = (supplier minimum − cubic yards) × fee per yd³ short, when under the minimum
total = concrete + delivery + short-load fee
Assumptions & limits
- Price per cubic yard, delivery, the supplier minimum and the short-load rate are all your inputs — the defaults ($145/yd³, $120 delivery, 3 yd³ minimum, $60 per yard short) are typical 2026 US figures, not a quote.
- The short-load fee is charged per cubic yard you fall short of the supplier minimum, which is how ready-mix plants actually bill it. Minimums commonly run 3–4 yd³.
- This prices the concrete and its delivery. It does not include forming, placing, finishing, pumping, reinforcement or Saturday and cold-weather surcharges.
- The bagged comparison uses 0.60 cu ft per 80 lb bag at $6.00 per bag.
Worked example
A 20 × 20 ft slab, 4 inches thick, 10% waste, at $145/yd³ with $120 delivery
- Cubic feet = 400 × 4 ÷ 12 = 133.3, plus 10% waste = 146.7 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 146.7 ÷ 27 = 5.43 yd³
- 5.43 yd³ is above the 3 yd³ minimum, so no short-load fee applies
- Concrete = 5.43 × $145 = $788, plus $120 delivery = $908
Result:$908 delivered — an effective $167 per cubic yard, or $2.27 per square foot.
Shrink the same slab to 6 × 6 ft and it drops to 0.49 yd³. The short-load fee becomes (3 − 0.49) × $60 = $151, which pushes the effective rate to about $699 per cubic yard. That gap between the headline price and the real bill is the whole reason small pours are usually bagged instead.
Built and maintained by Christoph Ballmer, Honeygoat GmbH
Method and constants last checked against the calculator code on August 17, 2026. Independent trade review is not yet in place for this calculator — see how we handle review.
Read the site-wide calculation methodology · estimate vs. quote and safety limits
How much does concrete cost per yard?
In 2026, ready-mix concrete runs about $125–$175 per cubic yard delivered for a standard 3,000–4,000 PSI mix, with most homeowners paying near $150 per yard as a safe ballpark. The price you are quoted depends on your region, the mix strength (PSI), how far the truck drives, and how many yards you order. On top of the per-yard rate you almost always pay a delivery fee, and on small orders a short-load fee when you take less than a full truck. The calculator above turns your slab size and local rate into a low-to-high total; this guide explains every line item behind that number.
ready-mix total = cubic yards × price per yd³ + delivery + short-load fee + extras
To get the cubic yards, multiply length × width × thickness (all in feet) and divide by 27, since one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Size that first with the concrete calculator, then price it here.
What you actually pay: delivery and add-on fees
The per-yard rate is only part of the bill. A standard mixer truck holds about 10 cubic yards, and most suppliers set a minimum order (often 3–4 yards) before short-load charges kick in. Typical 2026 add-ons:
| Charge | Typical cost (2026) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | $60–$200 per load (or ~$18–$25/yd) | Almost always; rises past a ~20-mile radius |
| Short-load fee | $50–$120 per yard short (or $40–$110 flat) | Orders under the 3–4 yd minimum |
| Concrete pump truck | $150–$300+ per job | No truck access; backyard or upper-floor pours |
| Saturday / weekend delivery | $8 per yd, or $50–$100 flat | Off-weekday scheduling |
| Fuel surcharge | $20–$50 per delivery | Varies with diesel prices |
| Winter / cold-weather mix | $5–$7 per yd | Cold-weather accelerator additives |
Cost figures here are 2026 estimates and vary by region and supplier. The West Coast and Northeast typically run $150–$200 per yard, while the Southeast and Midwest sit closer to $120–$160.
Concrete price by mix strength (PSI)
A higher PSI rating means a stronger, more durable mix — and a higher price. Driveways and footings usually call for 3,500–4,000 PSI; patios and walkways are fine at 3,000 PSI. Approximate delivered prices including a short-load fee:
| Mix strength | Typical use | Cost per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| 3,000 PSI | Patios, walkways, shed pads | $143–$158 |
| 3,500 PSI | Garage floors, sidewalks | $153–$166 |
| 4,000 PSI | Driveways, footings, foundations | $161–$173 |
| 4,500 PSI | Heavy driveways, slabs on grade | $171–$181 |
| 5,000 PSI | Structural / commercial | $178–$193 |
Specialty upgrades stack on top: fiber-reinforced, air-entrained, or colored mixes typically add $15–$40 per yard.
Cost by project type
| Project | Concrete material only | Finished (with labor) |
|---|---|---|
| Patio (4″ slab) | ≈ $2–$3 / sq ft | $5–$18 / sq ft |
| Driveway (5–6″ slab) | ≈ $3–$4 / sq ft | $5–$21 / sq ft |
| Sidewalk / walkway (4″) | ≈ $2–$3 / sq ft | $5–$12 / sq ft |
| Garage / shed floor (4″) | ≈ $2–$3 / sq ft | $5–$10 / sq ft |
Material-only covers the concrete itself; the finished figure adds forming, reinforcement, labor and finishing. Stamped or stained decorative work runs higher still — $10–$20 per square foot is common.
Worked example: a 12 × 24 ft driveway, 5 inches thick
Suppose you are pouring a driveway 12 ft × 24 ft at a 5-inch thickness.
- Volume: 12 ft × 24 ft × (5 ÷ 12 ft) = 120 cubic feet
- Cubic yards: 120 ÷ 27 = 4.44 yd³ → order 4.5 yd³ (always round up)
- Concrete at $165/yd (4,000 PSI): 4.5 × $165 = $742.50
- Delivery: $120
- Short-load fee (under the 4 yd minimum? at 4.5 yd, usually waived): $0
- Estimated total: ≈ $862 (roughly $193 per yard all-in)
If the same driveway were poured by a smaller order — say 2.5 yards for a patio — a $75 short-load fee would push the effective per-yard cost well above the quoted rate, which is why small pours feel expensive.
Waste factor: order a little extra
Forms flex, the subgrade is never perfectly level, and the last bit of a load can spill or stiffen. Industry practice is to add a 5–10% waste allowance to your calculated volume — 5% on a tidy, well-formed slab and up to 10% on uneven ground or footings. On the example above, a 10% buffer turns 4.44 yd³ into roughly 4.9 yd³, so ordering 5 yards is the safe call. Running short mid-pour means a second short-load delivery and a visible cold joint, so it is far cheaper to over-order slightly.
Is it cheaper to mix your own?
For very small jobs — under about one cubic yard — bagged concrete usually beats the short-load and delivery fees on a ready-mix order. At 80-lb bags you need roughly 45 bags per cubic yard (about $290/yd in materials), which is fine for a few fence posts or stepping stones. Past one to two yards, ready-mix is normally cheaper per yard and far less work. Use the concrete bags calculator to count bags, or the dry-pour concrete calculator for a pour-and-soak slab.
Common mistakes that blow the budget
- Pricing on the per-yard rate alone. Delivery, short-load and surcharges can add $100–$400 to a small order — the headline rate rarely is the final bill.
- Forgetting the minimum order. Ordering 2 yards from a supplier with a 4-yard minimum still bills the short-load fee; sometimes ordering the minimum 4 yards costs the same.
- No waste allowance. Calculating exact volume and running short forces a costly second delivery and a weak joint.
- Scheduling on a Saturday. Weekend and holiday deliveries add a surcharge; Tuesday through Thursday is cheapest.
- Skipping the pump-truck question. A backyard with no truck access can need a pump at $150–$300 that was never in the quote.
When to hire a pro
Small, non-structural pads — stepping stones, a shed floor, fence posts — are reasonable DIY projects. Hire a concrete contractor when the pour is structural or large: a driveway, a house-supporting footing or foundation, a slab over about 4–5 cubic yards, or any pour needing a pump, rebar layout, or a same-day finish across a big area. Concrete sets fast and is unforgiving once it cures, so a botched DIY structural pour is expensive to fix. Compare quotes from local concrete pros below, and confirm whether each quote includes forming, reinforcement and finishing or just the pour.
Cost figures on this page are 2026 estimates from industry sources (Concrete Network, HomeGuide, LawnStarter) and vary widely by region, supplier and project. Treat them as a starting point — always verify with a local ready-mix supplier or licensed concrete contractor before you order.
Frequently asked questions
How many yards of concrete are in a truck?
A standard ready-mix mixer truck holds about 10 cubic yards of concrete when fully loaded, though many trucks run 8–11 yards depending on local weight limits. Because a full truck is a fixed delivery, suppliers set a minimum order — often 3–4 yards — and charge a short-load fee on anything below it. If your project needs more than 10 yards, plan for two or more truck deliveries.
What PSI concrete do I need and how does it affect the price?
PSI is the compressive strength of the cured mix. Patios and walkways are fine at 3,000 PSI, sidewalks and garage floors usually call for 3,500 PSI, and driveways, footings and foundations want 4,000 PSI or higher. Each step up adds roughly $10–$15 per cubic yard — about $143–$158/yd at 3,000 PSI versus $178–$193/yd at 5,000 PSI in 2026. Fiber, color or air-entrainment add another $15–$40 per yard.
How much does a concrete pump truck cost?
A concrete pump truck typically costs $150–$300 or more per job, and is billed separately from the concrete itself. You need one when the mixer truck cannot back up to the form — a backyard slab, an upper floor, or a pour over a fence or obstacle. Always tell your supplier about access when you get a quote, because a pump that was not in the original estimate is a common budget surprise.
Why is my concrete quote higher than the per-yard price online?
The per-yard rate you see online is the material price for a full, weekday, standard-mix delivery within about 20 miles. Your real bill adds delivery ($60–$200), a short-load fee if you are under the minimum ($50–$120), and any pump truck, Saturday surcharge, fuel surcharge or cold-weather additive. On a small pour these extras can add $100–$400, so the effective per-yard cost lands well above the headline rate. Order on a weekday, hit the minimum, and confirm access to keep it down.
How much does a yard of concrete cost?
Ready-mix concrete typically runs about $125–$165 per cubic yard delivered in 2025, with a national average near $140. The exact price depends on your region, the PSI mix strength, and fuel and material costs. Small orders also carry a short-load fee. Enter your local price above for an estimate.
How much does concrete cost per square foot?
For the concrete material alone, a 4-inch slab works out to roughly $2–$3 per square foot. A finished slab including forming, labor and finishing is more like $5–$10 per square foot. This calculator focuses on the concrete (material and delivery); add labor separately if you are hiring out the finishing.
What is a short-load fee?
Most ready-mix companies charge a short-load (or small-load) fee when you order less than a full truck — usually under about 1 cubic yard. The fee commonly runs $50–$120 per yard short of the minimum, to cover sending a truck for a partial load. The calculator lets you add it so small pours are priced realistically.
Is it cheaper to mix your own concrete?
For small jobs, yes — bagged concrete is cheaper than the short-load fees on a ready-mix delivery. As the volume grows past roughly one cubic yard, ready-mix usually wins on both price per yard and labor. Use the concrete calculator to compare bag cost against the per-yard cost here.