How Much Concrete Do I Need? Easy Calculation Guide for Homeowners
“How much concrete do I need?”
Whether you’re laying a driveway, building a shed base, putting in fence post footings or pouring a new patio, this is usually the first question we’re asked by customers.
The problem is, if you order too little concrete this can cause delays and extra costs which isn’t ideal when you want to get the job done, but ordering too much means you are wasting material and money. So, we need to find the sweet spot.
We’ve actually made it super easy to calculate how much you’ll need with our free online Concrete Calculator, which can take your measurements and give you an instant estimate based on the shape of your project. So, let’s take a look at how to use it.
How to Calculate Concrete Volume (Simple Formula)
Concrete is measured in cubic metres (m³).
The basic formula is:
Length × Width × Depth = Volume of Concrete Needed
Example:
A driveway that is 5m long, 3m wide and 0.1m deep:
5 × 3 × 0.1 = 1.5m³ of concrete
We know that not all sites are straightforward to measure, so if yours has more complex shapes, cylinders, trenches, footings, rounded areas, calculations can become tricky. That’s exactly why we built our calculator.
Calculating Tricky Spaces With Our Calculator
Our calculator allows you to enter:
- Rectangle, square, cylinder or round areas
- Length and width
- Depth of your slab
You’ll also receive a quick quote of how much concrete will cost you.
What are you waiting for? Try our concrete calculator here.
Unsure About Mix Type, Pumping, or Site Access? We Help With That Too
Our calculator is a bit more than just a formula, it doesn’t stop at the numbers. After you’ve submitted your calculation, one of our expert team will review your project and let you know:
- the best concrete mix for your job
- whether you need a pump (and what type)
- how many workers you’ll need
- delivery time estimates
- tips for perfect results on pour day
That way, we can make sure that everyone gets the right material and amount they need so any costly mistakes are avoided.
Common Concrete Volumes for Popular Projects
| Project Type | Typical Depth | Approx. Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Patio or path | 100mm | 1–3m³ |
| Garage or shed base | 100–150mm | 2–8m³ |
| Driveway | 100–150mm | 3–10m³ |
| Fence post holes | 200–300mm | varies by spacing |
| Footings / foundations | 200–300mm | depends on length |
(Projects vary, our calculator will give an accurate number for your measurements.)
Ready to find out how much concrete you need? Use our calculator now and get an answer in minutes.
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