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CostToUpgrade
Concrete

Concrete Cost Calculator

Turn cubic yards into a real budget. Enter your volume, price per yard, delivery fee, and a waste allowance to see your expected cost plus a realistic low-to-high range.

Reviewed by The CostToUpgrade Estimating Desk Last reviewed How we estimate

Your project

Project
Pricing

Delivered ready-mix commonly runs $140–$190 per cubic yard before fees.

Flat fees and short-load surcharges are common on small orders.

Estimate

$1,027.50

Expected total

Low estimate
$924.75
High estimate
$1,181.63
Yards to order (with waste)
5.5yd³

Estimates are guidance only and exclude tax, labor, and site conditions unless stated. Confirm with a local pro.

How it's calculated

No black boxes — here is the exact math behind your estimate, so you can check it or adapt it for your own quote.

  1. 1Yards to order = volume × (1 + waste% ÷ 100)
  2. 2Subtotal = yards to order × price per yard
  3. 3Total = subtotal + delivery fee
  4. 4Range = total × 0.90 (low) to total × 1.15 (high)

Worked example

5 cubic yards at $165/yd³ with a $120 delivery fee and 10% waste.

Inputs

Concrete volume
5 yd³
Price per yard
165 $/yd³
Delivery / short-load fee
120 $
Waste allowance
10 %

Result

Expected total
$1,027.50
Low estimate
$924.75
High estimate
$1,181.63
Yards to order (with waste)
5.5 yd³

Tools & materials for this project

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

  • Concrete finishing trowel Smooth the surface once the truck pours.
  • Concrete edger Round and finish slab edges cleanly.
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Concrete Cost cost by state

The calculator does the quantity math exactly. What it can't know is what a fair unit price looks like where you live — concrete runs 61% more in the priciest US market than the cheapest.

Concrete Cost cost in all 50 states + DC US average $165 per cubic yard delivered · regional averages, full ranked table, and typical project totals.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there a low and high estimate?
Final concrete cost depends on order size, distance, mix design, and surcharges. The range reflects typical variation so you can budget conservatively rather than relying on a single number.
What is a short-load fee?
Suppliers usually charge extra for orders below a full truckload (about 10 yards). On a 1–4 yard pour this short-load fee can add $50–$200.
Does this include labor?
No. This is the material and delivery estimate. Finishing labor, forms, rebar, and site prep are billed separately by your contractor.