Cost of concrete per yard (2026)
Ready-mix concrete costs roughly $150–$200 per cubic yard delivered in most of the US in 2026, while a finished slab — with labor, base and reinforcement — runs about $6–$12 per square foot. Here is how those numbers break down and how to price your own project.
Concrete price per cubic yard
Ready-mix is priced per cubic yard (27 ft³) delivered by truck. Standard 3,000–4,000 psi mixes typically cost $150–$200 per yard; high-strength, fiber, colored or air-entrained mixes add $10–$40 per yard. Rural deliveries and small loads cost more.
| Item | Typical 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Ready-mix, 3,000–4,000 psi | $150–$200 per yd³ |
| Short-load fee (under 4–6 yd³) | $50–$150 per truck |
| Concrete pump (if the truck cannot reach) | $150–$250 per hour, 2–4 h minimum |
| 80 lb bag of concrete mix | $5–$8 per bag |
| Labor: forming, placing and finishing | $3–$6 per ft² |
| Gravel base (4 in) | $1–$2 per ft² |
| Rebar or wire mesh | $0.50–$1.50 per ft² |
Prices vary a lot by region — call two suppliers. Then enter your own numbers in the concrete slab cost calculator, which adds material, labor and reinforcement for you.
Your estimate
- Cost per ft² / m²
- $7.24
- Concrete
- $896
- Labor & finishing
- $1,600
- Reinforcement & extras
- $400
- Concrete (with waste)
- 5.43 yd³146.7 ft³ · 4.15 m³
- Area
- 400 ft²44.44 yd² · 37.16 m²
Bags or a truck: which is cheaper?
One cubic yard takes about 45 bags of 80 lb mix. At $6.50 a bag that is about $290 per yard — almost twice the price of ready-mix, before you count the mixer rental and a very long day of work. Bags win only for small jobs: fence posts, steps, a pad for an AC unit, or anything under about one yard where the short-load fee would dominate.
| Volume | 80 lb bags | Bag cost at $6.50 | Ready-mix at $175/yd³ + $100 short load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 yd³ | 23 | ≈ $150 | ≈ $188 |
| 1 yd³ | 45 | ≈ $293 | ≈ $275 |
| 2 yd³ | 90 | ≈ $585 | ≈ $450 |
| 3 yd³ | 135 | ≈ $878 | ≈ $625 |
Concrete driveway cost
A standard two-car driveway is about 20 × 24 ft (480 ft²) and should be at least 4 in thick, or 5–6 in if trucks or RVs use it. At 4 in it takes 6.52 yd³ of concrete including 10 % extra. With the default prices in our calculator ($165/yd³, $4/ft² labor, $1/ft² reinforcement) the total is about $3,476, or $7.24 per ft².
- Removing an old asphalt or concrete driveway adds $2–$6 per ft².
- Decorative finishes cost more: exposed aggregate $2–$4 extra per ft², stamped concrete $8–$18 per ft² total.
- Steep or long driveways may need a pump and more forming.
- Sealing every 2–3 years costs about $0.15–$0.30 per ft² DIY.
Concrete patio cost
Patios are usually 4 in thick on a 4 in gravel base. A 12 × 12 ft patio needs 1.96 yd³ of concrete with waste; a 20 × 20 ft patio needs 5.43 yd³. Installed prices for plain broom-finished patios are typically $6–$10 per ft²; stamped and colored patios $12–$20.
| Slab | Concrete (with 10 % waste) | Estimated total (default prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft, 4 in | 1.36 yd³ | $724 |
| 12 × 12 ft, 4 in | 1.96 yd³ | $1,043 |
| 16 × 20 ft, 4 in | 4.35 yd³ | $2,317 |
| 20 × 20 ft, 4 in | 5.43 yd³ | $2,896 |
| 24 × 24 ft, 6 in | 11.73 yd³ | $4,816 |
How to estimate your concrete cost in 4 steps
- Measure the slab and choose the thickness (4 in for patios and walks, 5–6 in for heavy use).
- Work out the cubic yards: length × width × thickness in feet ÷ 27, plus 5–10 % for waste — or let the concrete calculator do it.
- Get a delivered price per yard and ask about short-load and pump fees.
- Add labor, base and reinforcement per square foot, then compare the total with contractor quotes.
Concrete cost per square foot by thickness
The thicker the slab, the more concrete per square foot. With ready-mix at $165 per yard and 10 % waste, the concrete alone costs:
| Thickness | Concrete per 100 ft² | Material cost per ft² |
|---|---|---|
| 4 in | 1.36 yd³ | $2.24 |
| 5 in | 1.7 yd³ | $2.80 |
| 6 in | 2.04 yd³ | $3.36 |
| 8 in | 2.72 yd³ | $4.48 |
Labor, base and reinforcement usually add $4–$7 per ft² on top, which is why the finished price of a plain slab lands around $6–$12 per ft².
What else changes the price
- Access: if the truck cannot back up to the forms, you pay for a pump or for wheelbarrow labor.
- Site prep: grading, removing sod and hauling dirt can cost as much as the concrete on sloped lots.
- Strength and additives: 4,000 psi, fiber mesh, accelerators in winter and retarders in summer each add a few dollars per yard.
- Permits and inspections: driveways and structural slabs often need a permit and a pre-pour inspection.
- Finish: broom finish is the cheapest; exposed aggregate, stamping, coloring and sealing all add labor and material.
- Season and region: prices are highest in big cities and during the busy summer season.
DIY or hire a contractor?
A small slab — a shed pad or an AC pad under about 100 ft² — is a reasonable DIY job with bagged concrete, a rented mixer and two helpers. Larger slabs are different: a truck delivers several tons of concrete that must be placed, screeded, floated and finished within an hour or two, and mistakes are permanent. Many homeowners save money by doing the demolition, digging and gravel base themselves and hiring a finishing crew for pour day only.
When you compare quotes, make sure each one states the thickness, the concrete strength (psi), the reinforcement, the base depth, the finish and who pulls the permit. A low price per square foot often hides a thinner slab or no gravel base.
Ways to save money on concrete
- Order the right amount: a 10 % margin is enough; ordering 20 % extra wastes money, while running short means a cold joint.
- Combine small pours (a patio and a walkway) into one delivery to avoid two short-load fees.
- Do the demolition, excavation, gravel base and forms yourself, and hire a crew just for placing and finishing.
- Pour in spring or fall: hot-weather and cold-weather additives and blankets add cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a yard of concrete?
About $150–$200 per cubic yard delivered in 2026, plus short-load fees for small orders.
How much does a 10 × 10 concrete slab cost?
Material alone is about $225 with ready-mix; installed, a 10 × 10 ft slab typically costs $600–$1,200.
How much does a concrete driveway cost per square foot?
Usually $6–$12 per ft² for a plain 4–6 in driveway, more for stamped or decorative finishes.
Is it cheaper to mix concrete yourself?
Only for small jobs under about one yard. For bigger pours ready-mix is cheaper and stronger.
How many yards of concrete do I need for a driveway?
A 20 × 24 ft driveway at 4 in thick needs 6.52 yd³ including 10 % for waste; at 6 in it needs 9.78 yd³.
What is a short-load fee?
A surcharge many ready-mix plants add when you order less than a full truck, often anything under 4–6 cubic yards. Ask for it when you compare suppliers, because on a small patio it can add 30–50 % to the concrete bill.