How to Calculate the Right Amount of Concrete for Your Project

Thinking about pouring concrete for a sidewalk, patio, or driveway?  It's essential to know how much concrete you'll need.  Don't worry; it's not hard.  Let's walk through the steps to help you figure it out.

Step 1: Measure the area

First, measure the area where you want to pour the concrete.  Use a tape measure to find length and width.  If you're making a rectangular or square shape, multiply these two numbers together.

Example:  If your sidewalk is 10 feet long and 3 feet wide, you would calculate:

10 feet (length) x 3 feet (width) - 30 square feet.

Step 2: Decide on the Thickness

Next, decide on the desired thickness of your concrete.  A typical thickness for sidewalks is 4 inches.  To make calculations easier, convert the thickness from inches to feet.

Example:  4 inches is equal to .33 feet (since 12 inches = 1 foot, you divide 4 by 12)

Step 3:" Calculate the Volume

Now, you can find the volume of concrete you need. Multiply the area (from Step 1) by the thickness (from Step 2)

Example:  If your area is 30 square feet and your thickness is 0.33 feet.  30 square feet x 0.33 feet = 9.9 cubic feet of concrete.  

Step 4: Convert to Cubic Yards

Concrete is often sold by the cubic yard.  To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide the number of cubic feet by 27 (since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard).

Example: 9.9 cubic feet divide by 27 = about 0.37 cubic yards

Step 5: Order Extra

It's a good idea to order a little extra concrete to account for spills or mistakes.  Adding about 10% more is a smart move.

Example:  0.37 cubic yards + 10% = about 0.41 cubic yards.

Now you know how to calculate the right amount of concrete for your project!  Just remember to measure, determine your thickness, calculate the volume, convert to cubic yards, and add a little extra.  If you need help along the way or prefer not to worry about the details, contact us to bring your vision to life. Happy concrete pouring!

CLICK HERE for a short video on how to calculate how much concrete you need for your project.