Show the math
- Convert to base units: Concrete volume 1 yd³ = 27 ft³
- Volume = 27 ft³ (1 yd³, 0.7646 m³)
- Weight = 27 ft³ × 150 lb/ft³ = 4,050 lb
- Kilograms = 4,050 × 0.45359237 = 1,837 kg
How to measure
Take the volume from any calculator on this site, or from your quote. It can be in cubic yards, cubic feet or cubic meters. If you are weighing a precast piece, a slab you plan to lift or a pour on a floor with a load limit, use the net volume without waste.
Pick the density from the list. For normal-weight concrete the design value is 150 lb/ft³. Structural lightweight concrete is much lighter, and a supplier or mix design gives the real number.
How concrete weight is calculated
Weight = volume × density. With the volume in cubic feet and the density in pounds per cubic foot, the answer is in pounds. A cubic yard is 27 ft³, so one yard of 150 lb/ft³ concrete is 27 × 150 = 4,050 lb, about 2.03 US tons or 1.84 metric tonnes.
Normal-weight concrete falls in a range of roughly 140 to 150 lb/ft³ (2,240 to 2,400 kg/m³), depending on the aggregate and the air content. Structural lightweight concrete is much lighter, typically around 90 to 120 lb/ft³ (NRMCA CIP 36). The calculator offers 150, 145 and 140 lb/ft³ for normal weight, about 115 lb/ft³ for lightweight and a custom entry.
Formula: Weight (lb) = Volume (ft³) × density (lb/ft³). 1 yd³ = 27 ft³.
Weights of common volumes
| Volume | Pounds | US tons | Kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 yd³ | 1,013 | 0.51 | 459 |
| 0.5 yd³ | 2,025 | 1.01 | 919 |
| 1 yd³ | 4,050 | 2.03 | 1,837 |
| 2 yd³ | 8,100 | 4.05 | 3,674 |
| 5 yd³ | 20,250 | 10.13 | 9,185 |
| 10 yd³ | 40,500 | 20.25 | 18,370 |
A full 10 yd³ mixer load is therefore around 20 tons of concrete alone. This is why delivery trucks are limited by road weight and why a loaded truck can damage a thin driveway, a septic cover or a lawn.
Why the weight matters
- Driveways and truck access: mixers are heavy even when empty, and a full truck is heavier still.
- Elevated slabs and decks: concrete adds dead load the structure must carry. An engineer sets the limit.
- Precast and lifts: know the weight of a piece before choosing a crane, a lift or a lift path.
- Hauling: a pickup truck has a payload limit, and a trailer of bagged concrete adds up quickly. A pallet of 42 bags of 80 lb mix is over a ton.
- Footings and bearing: the load on the soil includes the concrete’s own weight.
Does rebar change the weight?
Reinforced concrete is a little heavier than plain concrete because steel is denser, but the difference is small for typical slabs. Many design standards use 150 lb/ft³ for plain concrete and about 5 to 10 lb/ft³ more for heavily reinforced concrete. Use the custom density option if you know the number.
Wet versus dry weight
Fresh concrete contains water that stays in the mix until it is chemically combined or evaporates. The difference between fresh and fully dry weight is several pounds per cubic foot. For lifting and loading a finished piece, use the engineer’s stated density. For bagged mix, the bag weight is dry; adding water makes the finished concrete heavier than the bag.
Weight in context
Knowing the weight helps in three common ways. First, it tells you whether a vehicle or trailer can carry the load: a standard 3/4-ton pickup can carry about a ton, which is under 25 ft³ of concrete. Second, it tells you the load on a structure such as a deck, a roof slab or a retaining wall footing. Third, it shows what lifting gear is needed for precast. For all three, use the actual unit weight from the supplier and the structural engineer’s load figures, not a general estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?
About 4,050 lb at 150 lb/ft³, which is roughly 2 US tons or 1,837 kg.
How much does a cubic foot of concrete weigh?
About 150 lb for normal-weight concrete, or 2,400 kg per cubic meter.
How much does a 4 in slab weigh per square foot?
About 50 lb per square foot at 4 in thick (0.3333 ft × 150 lb/ft³).
How much does lightweight concrete weigh?
Structural lightweight concrete is typically 90 to 120 lb/ft³, depending on the aggregate (NRMCA CIP 36).
How many tons is a full concrete truck?
A 10 yd³ load is about 20 US tons of concrete.
What density does the home page calculator use?
The main calculator on the home page keeps the original 2,130 kg/m³ (133 lb/ft³). This page and the shape calculators use the 150 lb/ft³ design value, so their weights are slightly higher.
Sources
Estimate only. Results depend on the numbers you enter, ground conditions and your supplier. For structural work consult a licensed engineer and follow local codes. Brand names such as Quikrete and Sakrete are used only to cite published product data. This site is not affiliated with any brand.