Concrete Cost Calculator
The Concrete Cost Calculator estimates ready-mix delivered cost and bagged DIY cost from your slab dimensions. Includes the typical short-load fee for orders under 3 cubic yards, plus a side-by-side comparison so you can see at a glance which option costs less for your project size.
US average ~$140–$180/yd³ delivered.
Quikrete retail typically $5–$8 per 60 lb bag.
Ready-mix delivered
2.72 yd³
Bagged DIY
163 × 60 lb bags
Bagged costs exclude tax, mixer rental, and your time. For volumes over 1 yd³, ready-mix is usually cheaper.
Estimates based on US average pricing. Confirm pricing, short-load fees (typically $50–$120 under 3 yd³), and delivery radius with your local supplier.
2026 pricing
What concrete actually costs
Ready-mix concrete pricing varies by region, mix design, and order size. The figures below are 2024–2026 US national averages and are the defaults this calculator uses. Override either price in the calculator above for your local market.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete (3,000 psi) | $140–$170 / yd³ | Standard residential mix, delivered |
| Ready-mix concrete (4,000 psi) | $160–$190 / yd³ | Driveway, garage, structural |
| Short-load fee | $50–$120 | Orders under ~3 yd³ |
| Saturday delivery | +$50–$100 | Premium for weekend pours |
| 60 lb bag (Quikrete) | $5–$8 | Retail / big-box |
| 80 lb bag (Quikrete) | $6–$10 | Retail / big-box |
| Pump truck (optional) | $150–$250 / hour | Required for hard-to-reach pours |
| Finishing labor | $2–$8 / sq ft | Trowel, broom, or stamped finish |
Cost breakdown
Concrete cost per square foot installed
Plain concrete costs $6.50–$10.50 per square foot installed in the US — material plus labor, including forms, finishing, and basic jointing. Decorative finishes add $5–$25 per square foot. Material alone runs $1.50–$2.50 per square foot for a 4-inch slab.
| Finish | Cost per sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain broom-finish | $6.50–$10.50 | Standard residential |
| Colored / integral pigment | $10–$14 | Solomon Colors or similar |
| Stamped concrete | $10–$18 | Single pattern, single color |
| Stained concrete | $10–$15 | Acid-stain or water-based |
| Polished concrete | $8–$15 | Interior, multi-pass grind |
| Exposed aggregate | $10–$16 | Decorative finish for patios |
| Stamped + stained (premium) | $18–$30 | Multi-color, multi-pattern |
Regional variation
What drives concrete pricing
Six factors move concrete pricing in your local market:
- Distance from the batch plant — pricing typically increases $5–$10/yd³ per 10 mi (16 km) of haul.
- Cement and aggregate prices — cement is the largest single cost component (~30% of mix cost).
- Mix design — fiber-reinforced, high-strength (5,000+ psi), or rapid-set adds $20–$60/yd³.
- Local fuel cost — diesel surcharges add $5–$15/yd³ when fuel prices spike.
- Season — winter pours often add a hot-water or accelerator surcharge of $10–$20/yd³.
- Order volume — large orders (10+ yd³) sometimes negotiate $5–$15/yd³ off list price.
Interactive diagram
Where ready-mix beats bagged
The chart plots total cost across project sizes from 0.1 to 5 cubic yards. Slide to compare ready-mix delivered cost against bagged retail cost at any volume — the crossover marker shows where one line crosses the other.
Ready-mix delivered
Cheaper$220
Includes $60 short-load fee
Bagged (60 lb)
$363
66 bags × $5.5
Cheaper option
Ready-mix wins by $143
Crossover sits at 0.28 yd³
Crossover
Ready-mix vs bagged cost comparison
The crossover sits at roughly 1 cubic yard. Below that, bagged usually wins because the short-load fee dominates ready-mix. Above that, ready-mix takes over.
| Pour size | Ready-mix total | Bagged (60 lb) total | Best option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 yd³ | ~$140 | ~$165 (30 bags) | Ready-mix (barely) |
| 1 yd³ | ~$220 | ~$330 (60 bags) | Ready-mix |
| 2 yd³ | ~$380 | ~$660 (120 bags) | Ready-mix |
| 5 yd³ | ~$800 | ~$1,650 (300 bags) | Ready-mix |
| 0.25 yd³ (post hole) | ~$100 + fee | ~$45 (8 bags) | Bagged |
Cost Calculator FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about concrete pricing in 2026.
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