How to Calculate Concrete Yardage

Calculating concrete yardage will help you budget effectively for your next project. You can also use this technique used to calculate cubic yards for fill dirt, rock, and sand for other home improvement projects.

Step 1: Start by determining the size of the area you want to cover. If you are replacing an existing patio, sidewalk, or other space, use a measuring tape. If you are creating a new project, draw a plan and write the intended dimensions on it.

Step 2: Convert the dimensions from inches into yards by dividing the inches by 36. (There are 36 inches in a linear yard.)

Step 3: Calculate the area by multiplying the width and length of the space in yards.

TIP: Multiplying width and length to determine the area will only work with rectangular areas. If you have an odd-shaped area, draw a plan that reflects the area, then use a ruler to break up the plan into standard shapes such as triangles, circles, and rectangles.

Then calculate the area of each individual shape and add the area of each space together for a total area.

Step 4: Determine the depth of the concrete pad. In most cases, 4 inches is standard. However, this can vary depending on the application.

Step 5: Divide the depth of the concrete pad by 36. You should get a fraction or decimal number. (For instance, if you use a 4 inch depth, it is also 1/9 of a linear yard.)

Step 6: Multiply the depth of the concrete pad by the area of the space you intend to cover. This will give you the amount of concrete you need in cubic yards.

Once you have the correct number of cubic yards, you may want to check your calculations using a cubic yard concrete calculator online. Also, try adding 10 percent more to your cubic yard calculations. This will help account for any loss during the mixing and pouring process.

TIP: To add 10 percent more to your calculations, multiply your cubic yard calculations by 1.1 or 11/10. The resulting number will be 10 percent more than you should theoretically need to finish your concrete project.