What affects the price of concrete?
The default $165 per yard is an editable placeholder. Get a current quote from local ready-mix suppliers, since pricing changes often.
Estimate your yards first
Not sure how many yards you need? Start with the cubic yard calculator or the slab calculator, then enter the result above. For small projects, compare with the bag calculator.
Real example: budgeting the two-car garage floor
Take the 24 × 24 ft garage floor at 5 inches from our cubic yard calculator. It needs 9.78 yd³, so you order 10 cubic yards. Here is the budget using illustrative numbers (replace them with real quotes from your area):
| Line item | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 10 yd × $165 | $1,650 |
| Delivery & fees | flat estimate | $100 |
| Subtotal | $1,750 | |
| Sales tax | 0% in this example | $0 |
| Total for the concrete | $1,750 | |
| Effective price per yard | $1,750 ÷ 10 | $175 |
Notice the effective price per yard ($175) is higher than the quoted $165. That gap is why checking the per-yard price alone can mislead you: fees get spread across every yard you buy, so smaller orders feel more expensive per yard.
How a small order changes the math
Now imagine a 3 yard order with the same $165 price and $100 in fees: $495 + $100 = $595, or about $198 per yard. That is why a small patio can cost more per yard than a big floor, and why it is worth asking your supplier where the short-load threshold is.
Costs this calculator does not include
- Excavation and gravel base
- Forms, rebar or wire mesh
- Pump truck, if the truck cannot reach
- Finishing, sealing and cutting control joints
- Labor, if you are hiring a contractor
Treat the number above as the concrete line only, then add the rest based on quotes. For small jobs, compare your total with the bag calculator, and for flat work use the slab calculator. You can save and share estimates as PDFs from the concrete calculator app when you talk to suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of concrete cost?
Ready-mix prices vary by region, mix and supplier. Call local suppliers for a current per-yard quote and ask about delivery and short-load fees.
Does the price include delivery?
Not always. Many suppliers add delivery, fuel or short-load charges. Enter them in the calculator for a total.
What else adds to the cost of a concrete project?
Excavation, forms, base gravel, rebar or mesh, pumping, finishing and labor are typically separate from the concrete price.
How much does a 20x20 concrete slab cost?
A 4-inch 20x20 slab needs about 4.94 cubic yards. Multiply by your local price per yard, then add delivery and labor.
Take the calculator to the job site
Free concrete calculator app for iPhone and Android.
Google Play App Store