Concrete & Masonry Calculators
Concrete slabs, footings, bags, bricks, blocks and pavers.
Concrete and masonry are sold in units that do not match how you measure: ready-mix by the cubic yard, bagged mix by yield per bag, brick and block by the piece, mortar by the bag. These calculators do the conversion from your dimensions to an order, with the waste factors suppliers expect you to add.
Every tool here uses the same standard specifications: an 80 lb bag of concrete mix yields 0.60 cubic feet, a modular brick with its joint covers 21 square inches, an 8 x 8 x 16 block needs 1.125 per square foot, and one cubic yard of concrete covers 81 square feet at 4 inches thick. Change any of those in the form if your product differs.
All concrete & masonry calculators
A typical project, in order
Carry each result into the next tool.
- 1Excavation CalculatorFigure the dig and haul-away first
- 2Gravel CalculatorCompacted base under the slab or pavers
- 3Rebar CalculatorReinforcing grid before the pour
- 4Concrete CalculatorCubic yards or bags for the slab
- 5Concrete Cost CalculatorReady-mix, delivery and labor budget
- 6Brick CalculatorVeneer or garden wall on top
- 7Mortar CalculatorBags of mortar for the brick or block
Concrete & Masonry questions
How many bags of concrete are in a cubic yard?
45 bags of 80 lb, 60 bags of 60 lb, or 90 bags of 40 lb. Each 80 lb bag yields 0.60 cubic feet and a yard is 27 cubic feet.
When should I order ready-mix instead of bags?
Above about half a cubic yard. That is 23 bags of 80 lb mix, which is a lot of mixing; a truck is cheaper per yard and the pour finishes before the first batch sets.
How much waste should I add for concrete and masonry?
5 to 10% for concrete to cover uneven subgrade and spillage, 5% for brick and block on a plain wall, 10% with many cuts or corners.