How Much Area Does a Yard of Concrete Cover?
How much area does a yard of concrete cover? One cubic yard of concrete covers about 81 square feet at 4 inches thick, about 65 square feet at 5 inches, and 54 square feet at 6 inches. Real pours use a bit more than the math because of uneven subgrade, form flex, and spillage, so order 5 to 10 percent extra.
Concrete calculator →Coverage by slab thickness
| Thickness | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 3 inches | About 108 sq ft |
| 3.5 inches | About 93 sq ft |
| 4 inches | About 81 sq ft |
| 5 inches | About 65 sq ft |
| 6 inches | About 54 sq ft |
| 8 inches | About 40 sq ft |
| 12 inches | About 27 sq ft |
The math: 27 cubic feet divided by thickness in feet. At 4 inches, 27 ÷ 0.333 = 81 square feet.
Typical thickness by project
| Project | Common thickness |
|---|---|
| Sidewalks and patios | 4 inches |
| Residential driveways | 4 to 5 inches, 6 for heavy vehicles |
| Garage floors | 4 to 6 inches |
| Shed slabs | 4 inches |
| Hot tub pads | 4 to 6 inches |
See concrete driveway thickness for detail.
Examples
- 12 by 12 patio at 4 inches: 144 sq ft ÷ 81 = about 1.8 yards, order about 2. See concrete for a 12x12 slab.
- 20 by 24 driveway pad at 5 inches: 480 ÷ 65 = about 7.4 yards, order about 8.
- 4 by 40 sidewalk at 4 inches: 160 ÷ 81 = about 2 yards, order about 2.25.
- 10 by 10 slab at 6 inches: 100 ÷ 54 = about 1.85 yards, order about 2.
Use the concrete calculator for exact numbers.
Why order extra
- Subgrade dips add thickness in spots.
- Forms bow slightly under the weight of wet concrete.
- Thickened edges at slab perimeters use more concrete.
- Spillage and pump line volume take some concrete.
Running short in the middle of a pour can leave a cold joint, so a small overage is cheaper than a second truck.
Ordering small amounts
Many ready-mix suppliers charge a short load fee for small orders, often under a few yards. See concrete short load fee. For very small jobs under about a yard, bagged concrete can make sense: about 45 bags of 80 pounds equal one cubic yard.
Weight of a yard
A cubic yard of normal concrete weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. That matters for trailers and for driving trucks over existing pavement. See how much a yard of concrete weighs.
Thickened edges and footings
Slabs with turned-down edges need extra volume. Calculate the edge separately as a long rectangular strip, using its width and added depth, then add it to the slab volume.
Bottom line
A cubic yard of concrete covers about 81 square feet at 4 inches, 65 at 5 inches, and 54 at 6 inches. Divide your square footage by the coverage figure, then add 5 to 10 percent. Plan for thickened edges and short load fees on small orders.
Questions people ask
How many square feet does a yard of concrete cover at 4 inches?
About 81 square feet.
How much does a yard of concrete cover at 6 inches?
About 54 square feet.
How much extra concrete should I order?
About 5 to 10 percent extra.
How many 80-pound bags equal a yard of concrete?
About 45 bags.
How do I calculate yards of concrete?
Multiply length by width by thickness in feet, then divide by 27.
Related guides
- How Much Concrete for a 12x12 Slab? Yards and Bags
- Concrete Driveway Thickness: 4, 5 or 6 Inches?
- How Much Does a Yard of Concrete Weigh? About 2 Tons
- Concrete Short Load Fee: What It Is and How to Cut It
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