Slab
Volume depends on the measured footprint and depth. A 20x20 project example uses the published 4-inch baseline.
Ready-mix and packaged mix pricing
Concrete Cost per Yard
Compare ready-mix and bagged material prices, modeled installed benchmarks, and supplier fees using published retailer, supplier, and wage data.
Concrete Cost per Yard Calculator
Enter a volume or project dimensions, then compare ready-mix and bagged prices for your metro area.
At the default volume, the ready-mix material range is $120–$160 before delivery and other supplier charges.
Concrete Cost per Yard in 2026
Compare ready-mix material prices with modeled installed estimates. Ask local suppliers to confirm delivery and any packaged-mix charges.
| Volume | Material rate (per yd³) | Installed benchmark (per yd³) | Bagged equivalent | Bag material total (Home Depot) | Short-load fee | Delivery | Ready-mix material with 10% allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yd³ | $120–$160 | $486–$972 | 45 bags | $291.15 | Supplier quote | Supplier quote | $132–$176 |
| 5 yd³ | $120–$160 | $486–$972 | 225 bags | $1,455.75 | Supplier quote | Supplier quote | $660–$880 |
| 10 yd³ | $120–$160 | $486–$972 | 450 bags | $2,911.50 | Supplier quote | Supplier quote | $1,320–$1,760 |
Installed benchmark converts the existing $6–$12 national installed range at a 4-inch baseline (81 area units per yd³). Material-only totals multiply $120–$160 by the order volume and 1.10; fees are excluded. The ready-mix range is the existing HomeGuide rate (April 3, 2026); bag figures use the Home Depot listed price checked October 17, 2026.
Ready-Mix vs Bagged: Which Is Cheaper per Yard
At Home Depot’s listed $6.47 per 80 lb bag, 45 bags cost $291.15 per cubic yard. That exceeds the site’s $120–$160 ready-mix material range before any delivery fees, so there is no material-only volume break-even at those rates.
Small-order fees can change the comparison. Using L&S Concrete n RediMix’s $187.50/yd³ 3000 psi rate, its $150 short-load fee for a 2–2.75 yd³ order, and its $75 delivery charge for 0–5 miles, the material-plus-fee crossover within that order band is about 2.17 yd³. Below that amount in the 2–2.75 yd³ band, bagged mix costs less under this example; above it, ready-mix costs less. Other order bands have different fees. This is a supplier-specific example, not a national threshold.
Retail check: Home Depot’s QUIKRETE 80 lb Concrete Mix listing showed $6.47 on October 17, 2026. Lowe’s product listing requires local store selection to display price. L&S fee and rate details are on its public pricing page.
Cost per Yard by Mix and Strength
L&S Concrete n RediMix publishes these regional prices, effective January 1, 2026; prices can change and should be confirmed with the supplier.
| Mix / additive | Published price | Difference from 3000 psi |
|---|---|---|
| 3000 psi | $187.50/yd³ | Reference |
| 3500 psi | $193.50/yd³ | +$6.00/yd³ |
| 4000 psi | $200.50/yd³ | +$13.00/yd³ |
| Fiber mesh | +$10.00/yd³ | Supplier add-on |
| Super plasticizer | +$10.00/yd³ | Supplier add-on |
| Non-calcium chloride | +$9.00/yd³ per 1% | Supplier add-on |
| Stasis retardant | 1 hr +$4.25 · 2 hr +$7.00 · 3 hr +$10.25/yd³ | Supplier add-on |
Source: L&S Concrete n RediMix public price list, effective January 1, 2026; accessed October 17, 2026. This is one supplier’s local price list, not a national strength premium.
Cost per Yard by Project Type
The same volume and supplier rate can apply across different project scopes; the links below show published size examples.
Driveway
Driveways can require a different depth and reinforcement design. Compare a 30x50 footprint example and confirm specifications locally.
Footing
Footing dimensions vary with structural design and site conditions. Use a 30x30 size example only as a quantity reference.
Patio
Patio volume follows its measured area and planned thickness. A 20x20 size example illustrates the site's standard quantity basis.
What Adds to the Price per Yard
Ask the supplier which charges are included in the delivered quote.
- Short-load fees and minimum order quantities vary by supplier.
- Delivery distance, weekend or holiday scheduling, and pump service can change the quote.
- A 10% planning allowance increases the ordered quantity; material-only totals above show this calculation separately.
Use the concrete quote checklist to compare delivery, fees, and scope in writing.
Cost per Yard by Metro Area
These are modeled installed estimates using the existing BLS May 2025 wage series. Material inputs remain regional/national benchmarks, not local supplier quotes.
| Metro area | BLS wage | Modeled installed range per yd³ | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States — national average | $31.42/hr | $486–$972/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City | $39.49/hr | $542–$1,084/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim | $37.07/hr | $525–$1,051/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Chicago–Naperville–Elgin | $40.87/hr | $552–$1,104/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington | $27.03/hr | $455–$911/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands | $27.41/hr | $458–$916/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell | $28.26/hr | $464–$928/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler | $29.42/hr | $472–$944/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue | $42.11/hr | $560–$1,121/yd³ | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
The model applies the site's 55% material / 45% labor shares to the national installed baseline. It is an estimate, not a market quote. Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan estimates, May 2025.
How Many Yards Do You Need
Convert dimensions to a volume before requesting a delivered quote.
- Multiply length × width × thickness in feet to get cubic feet (convert inches to feet).
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
- Add a planning allowance for waste; the example below includes 10%.
Example: 20 ft × 20 ft × (4 ÷ 12) ft = 133.33 ft³; 133.33 ÷ 27 = 4.94 yd³ before allowance. The published 10% allowance example is 5.43 yd³. For a custom volume result, browse the calculators directory.
FAQ
How much does concrete cost per yard?
The published ready-mix material range is $120–$160 per cubic yard. Installed work is shown separately using the existing national benchmark converted at the published 4-inch baseline; delivery, access, and project scope can change a supplier quote.
Is it cheaper to mix my own concrete or order ready-mix?
Use your local bag price to compare. At the Home Depot listed price of $6.47 (checked October 17, 2026), 45 bags cost $291.15 per yard before delivery; supplier small-load fees can move the break-even point.
How much is a 10-yard truck of concrete?
The published ready-mix material range implies $1,200–$1,600 for 10 cubic yards before delivery, short-load, tax, or other supplier charges. This is a calculation from the published $120–$160 per-yard material range, not a truck quote.
What is a short-load fee and when do I pay it?
A supplier may charge when an order is below its minimum truck quantity. The amount and minimum vary by supplier; request them in the written quote.
How many 80 lb bags of concrete make a yard?
About 45 bags: 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard divided by the published yield of 0.60 cubic feet per 80 lb bag, as shown in the QUIKRETE mix data sheet.
Is concrete priced by volume or by project area?
Ready-mix material is commonly quoted by cubic yard; installed work can also be benchmarked by area. For an area-based installed estimate, browse the calculators directory for available tools.
Do concrete prices change by season?
Seasonal demand, weather, plant schedules, and local availability can affect supplier quotes. Some supplier lists include seasonal charges: L&S Concrete n RediMix’s price list lists a Spring Breakup weight-restriction fee of $75 per load. Confirm current seasonal charges with your local supplier.
Does delivery cost extra per yard?
Delivery may be separate from the material rate and can depend on distance, order size, and supplier terms. Delivery charges vary by supplier, distance, and order size; ask for a delivered total.