How Much Is a Yard of Concrete?
- kellerlawnandlands
- Jul 9, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 14, 2025
Thinking of giving an outdoor space a makeover with a sleek new patio or sturdy retaining wall? Before diving into concrete plans—literally—it’s important to ask the one question that could make or break the budget: How much is a yard of concrete? Whether tackling a driveway extension or planning a full hardscape design, knowing what to pay per yard of concrete is essential.
Here are the variables influencing the cost of concrete per yard.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways✔ A cubic yard of concrete covers about 81 sq ft at 4 inches thick and weighs around 4,000 lbs. ✔ In the first half of 2024, standard ready-mix concrete costs $150–$180 per yard, with higher prices for strength or decorative mixes. ✔ Concrete pricing is influenced by location, order size, mix strength, and job complexity. ✔ Additives like fibers, pigments, and air entrainment improve performance but raise cost by $5–$25 per yard. ✔ Delivery fees increase when site access is difficult, unloads are delayed, or deliveries occur outside regular hours. ✔ Concrete costs more during peak seasons due to high demand and labor shortages. ✔ Site prep, reinforcement, formwork, and finishing often add more to the total cost than the concrete itself. ✔ Hiring professionals ensures durability, proper drainage, design integration, and optimized material usage. |
What Is a Cubic Yard of Concrete?
A cubic yard of concrete is a standard measurement in construction and landscaping that equals 27 cubic feet (3 feet wide × 3 feet long × 3 feet deep). This unit helps contractors and homeowners accurately calculate how much concrete is required for different types of outdoor projects. By understanding the dimensions and applications of a cubic yard, property owners can better grasp how much is a yard of concrete and how it fits into their project scope.
Key Characteristics of a Cubic Yard
Volume: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet of concrete. This is the standard batch size used by most ready-mix concrete suppliers.
Weight: Roughly 4,000 pounds per yard. The exact weight depends on moisture content and mix density.
Coverage Area:Â A 4-inch-thick slab covers approximately 81 square feet, while a 6-inch-thick slab covers about 54 square feet. These numbers help estimate how much material is needed for patios, walkways, or pads.
Common Uses for a Single Cubic Yard
Sidewalks: Ideal for narrow paths or front walkways in residential landscapes.
Patios: Perfect for small seating areas or foundation slabs for outdoor furniture.
Small Driveways: Can be used to pour one section or a parking pad.
Footings for Structures: Great for shed pads, pergola bases, or fence post footings.
Why This Measurement Matters in Landscaping
Accurate Material Planning:Â Prevents over-ordering or under-ordering, which can save money and time.
Consistent Quality: Ensures that the same mix is used uniformly across a project for better durability.
Scheduling Efficiency: Allows concrete to be ordered in appropriate quantities to match delivery and pouring schedules, avoiding waste.
Helpful Estimation Tips
Use a volume formula: (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27 = yards needed
Consider ordering slightly more than calculated to account for spillage, variations in site conditions, or over-excavation.
Average Cost of a Yard of Concrete in 2025
In the first half of 2024, the national average for ready-mix concrete price per yard ranges between $150 and $180Â for a standard 3,000 PSI mix. This base price can shift depending on project type, location, and specific needs. For homeowners investing in hardscaping features, understanding this base figure is the first step in planning.
Here’s a quick reference:
Standard mix (3,000 PSI): $150–$180 per yard
Higher strength (4,000–5,000 PSI): $161–$173 per yard
Colored or stamped mixes: $150–$200+ per yard
On average, installing a new concrete slab costs about $6 per square foot or approximately $110 per cubic yard for the material alone. It’s also essential to remember that cement costs don’t stop at the raw material. The total concrete cost often includes:
Delivery and fuel surcharges
Short-load fees for orders under 4 yards
Additive costs (e.g., coloring, fibers, or accelerators)
6 Factors That Influence Concrete Pricing
1. Project Location
Where a project is located has a direct impact on how much concrete is per yard due to transportation logistics and market supply.
Distance from batch plants:Â Longer delivery routes lead to higher fuel charges and potential delivery delays. Remote or rural sites may also require special delivery equipment.
Availability of suppliers:Â In areas with limited suppliers, less competition can drive up the ready-mix concrete price per yard. Urban regions with multiple suppliers may offer better pricing through competitive bids.
Regional cost of living and labor: Higher local labor rates and overhead costs (e.g., in metropolitan zones) can indirectly raise cement costs per yard.
2. Project Size and Quantity Ordered
How much concrete is ordered—and how it matches truck capacity—can greatly affect pricing.
Standard truck capacity: Ready-mix trucks typically carry 8 to 10 yards per load. Ordering less than this can result in short-load fees.
Short-load fees: For orders under 4 yards, suppliers often charge $50–$150 extra to offset partial truckloads.
Bulk discounts: Larger projects that require multiple full loads may benefit from volume pricing or waived delivery fees, reducing the cement costs per yard overall.
Waste factor: Small miscalculations on smaller jobs can lead to reorders and multiple fees. Accurate estimates are especially critical when ordering less than a full load.
3. Mix Strength and Design
The strength and intended use of concrete directly influence how much is a yard of concrete in terms of cost and performance.
3,000 PSI mix:Â Common for patios, garden paths, and other light-load areas. Usually, the most affordable option.
4,000 PSI mix:Â Frequently used for residential driveways, offering better resistance to cracking and vehicle weight.
5,000 PSI mix and higher: Essential for structural elements like retaining walls, hot tub slabs, or footings under large outdoor structures. These mixes cost more due to additional cement content and finer aggregates.
Custom additives or specialty designs:Â Strength-enhancing agents, waterproofing chemicals, or temperature modifiers may be needed based on the application and environment. These raise the ready-mix concrete price per yard, especially for landscape features requiring high durability or aesthetic finish.
4. Additives and Special Features
Certain concrete projects, especially those exposed to outdoor elements, benefit from additives that improve performance, appearance, or workability. These enhancements often raise how much is concrete per yard by $5–$25, depending on type and quantity. Each of these features not only impacts cost but also tailors the concrete for its specific environmental or aesthetic purpose.
Air entrainment: Introduces tiny air bubbles that allow moisture to expand during freezing conditions, reducing surface damage in freeze-thaw climates—ideal for outdoor walkways and driveways.
Water reducers: Help maintain workability without adding more water, increasing final strength. Useful for thin pours like decorative edges or stamped patterns.
Fiber mesh reinforcement: Replaces or supplements steel mesh to reduce surface cracking. Often used in patios, driveways, or pads subject to flex and load.
Color pigments: Added to the mix for decorative appeal—popular in patios, stamped paths, and custom landscape borders. Available in earth tones, grays, reds, and more.
Retarders or accelerators: Control set times based on weather. Accelerators speed up curing in cold weather; retarders slow it down in hot conditions—especially useful in large-scale outdoor pours.
5. Delivery Costs and Job Access
Delivery fees vary based on logistics, timing, and how accessible the job site is. These charges are separate from material cost but directly affect cement costs for the total project. Efficient site preparation and scheduling reduce these avoidable expenses.
Difficult site access: Sites with steep driveways, tight gates, or uneven terrain may require additional labor or specialized delivery equipment (e.g., pumps), increasing final costs.
Extended unloading time: If the site isn’t ready or the crew delays unloading, suppliers may charge wait-time fees—typically billed hourly after a grace period.
Weekend or after-hours deliveries: Many suppliers charge premiums for deliveries outside of standard business hours. Planning weekday pours helps keep how much is a yard of concrete within budget.
Multiple trips:Â If the total quantity ordered exceeds truck capacity, multiple deliveries may be needed, doubling or tripling transportation costs.
6. Time of Year
Seasonality affects both material availability and labor scheduling—two factors that drive fluctuations in how much is concrete per yard. Scheduling concrete work around seasonal demand—not just weather—can make a noticeable difference in total cost and efficiency.
Peak season pricing (spring to early fall): Higher demand in warm weather pushes up prices, often by 10–20%, due to labor shortages and tight delivery schedules.
Shoulder seasons (late fall and early spring):Â Cooler months may offer better pricing and shorter wait times, provided weather permits safe pouring and curing.
Cold weather pours: Projects scheduled in winter may require heated blankets, fast-setting mixes, or chemical accelerators—each adding to cement costs.
Concrete Installation Costs (Beyond the Yard Price)
In landscaping, the cost of the concrete material itself is just one part of the equation. Labor, preparation, and finishing often account for more than half of the total expense. Here’s how:
1. Site Preparation and Grading
Before concrete is poured, landscape crews typically clear vegetation, remove debris, grade the area for drainage, and install a compacted gravel base. While costs vary widely by location and terrain, this phase often adds a few dollars per square foot to the overall project cost.
2. Reinforcement Materials
To improve durability and load-bearing strength, projects often include wire mesh, rebar, and fiber additives. These increase costs but offer long-term benefits, particularly in areas prone to frost heave or heavy traffic.
3. Formwork and Layout
For pathways, patios, or custom hardscape features, forming the layout is labor-intensive. It involves building and securing temporary wood or metal frames to shape the concrete. Precision is crucial here, and this phase affects how much is concrete per yard because formwork errors may waste materials.
4. Pouring and Finishing
Standard broom finishes are the least expensive, but decorative techniques like stamping or staining add aesthetic value—and expense. Labor for decorative finishing can push installation costs, particularly if colors or sealants are used.
Why Work with Professionals on Lawn and Landscape Projects
Concrete is a foundational element in many outdoor living spaces, but it's not just about mixing and pouring. In landscaping, concrete must harmonize with natural elements, support structural features, and endure seasonal changes. Partnering with an experienced landscaping professional ensures each of these needs is met with precision and creativity.
1. Design Integration with the Overall Landscape
Concrete features should never feel like an afterthought. A professional brings design continuity between hardscape and softscape elements.
Functional harmony: Patios and walkways are placed to enhance traffic flow and usability, not just aesthetics.
Visual coordination:Â Professionals choose textures, patterns, and colors that echo surrounding elements like pavers, planting beds, or water features.
Balance and scale: Pros understand proportion, ensuring concrete surfaces don’t overpower or underwhelm nearby features like trees, lawns, or retaining walls.
2. Durability, Drainage, and Longevity
One of the top reasons concrete fails prematurely is poor preparation or lack of drainage planning. Professionals take a proactive approach to protect your investment. Investing in the right prep work upfront helps prevent costly replacements and extends lifespan, factors that go beyond just calculating how much is concrete per yard.
Proper sub-base compaction: A firm, level base prevents settling, which leads to cracks or uneven surfaces.
Drainage planning: Contractors design slight slopes to direct water away from the home or garden beds, protecting both the concrete and the landscape.
Material selection for conditions: In freeze-thaw climates, they might recommend air-entrained mixes or fibers to reduce cracking.
3. Code Compliance and Permitting
Many landscape structures—like concrete footings, retaining walls, or drainage channels—must meet local codes. A licensed contractor handles this seamlessly. Compliance ensures long-term safety and legality while keeping control over project scope and overall cement costs
Permit acquisition: Professionals know what’s needed for municipal approval and pull the proper permits ahead of time.
Structural specifications: They pour footings and slabs to the correct depth, PSI, and reinforcement requirements for each application.
Inspection coordination: Contractors work with city officials to pass inspections without delays, avoiding fines or mandated rework.
4. Cost Efficiency and Material Management
Concrete may seem straightforward, but efficient execution requires experienced oversight. Professionals optimize every aspect of material use and timing. Ultimately, professionals help manage how much is a yard of concrete translates into total project cost by eliminating inefficiencies and avoiding surprises.
Precise volume calculation:Â This helps order just the right amount, minimizing excess while preventing expensive reorders.
Logistics planning:Â Crews coordinate deliveries to avoid wait fees, cold joints, or rushed pours that affect finish quality.
Crew coordination: A well-organized team keeps labor costs down and finishes jobs faster, critical when working within narrow weather windows.
5. Aesthetic Skill and Creative Detailing
Concrete is a versatile design material. Professionals leverage advanced finishing techniques to enhance curb appeal and property value. These creative touches help make the investment feel high-end and customized—not generic—without dramatically increasing how much is concrete per yard.
Custom textures and stamping:Â From stone imprints to wood grain effects, they can transform plain slabs into standout features.
Integrated elements: Concrete can be paired with lighting, edging, or seat walls for functional beauty.
Color coordination: Through stains or integral pigments, professionals ensure concrete complements the home’s exterior and surrounding landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does 1 yard of concrete cover?
One yard of concrete covers approximately 81 square feet at 4 inches thick. If poured at 6 inches thick, it covers about 54 square feet. Coverage depends on the slab’s depth, so always calculate based on thickness.
How many bags of concrete for 1 yard?
To make one cubic yard of concrete, you need about 45 80-lb bags of premixed concrete. For 60-lb bags, it takes around 60 bags. Buying ready-mix is often more efficient for large projects.
How many yards of concrete for a 30x30 slab 4 inches thick?
Rebar is not always required for a 4-inch slab, but it’s recommended for areas that will bear heavy loads or vehicle traffic. For patios or walkways, wire mesh or fiber reinforcement is often sufficient. Check local codes and soil conditions to decide.
Do you need rebar for a 4 inch slab?
Rebar is not always required for a 4-inch slab, but it’s recommended for areas that will bear heavy loads or vehicle traffic. For patios or walkways, wire mesh or fiber reinforcement is often sufficient. Check local codes and soil conditions to decide.
How thick should a concrete slab be?
For most residential applications, a 4-inch thickness is standard. Slabs for driveways or heavy structures may need to be 5 to 6 inches thick. Thickness depends on the slab’s purpose and expected load.
Get Expert Concrete Solutions for Your Landscape—Contact Keller Landscaping Today!
Ready to enhance your outdoor space with high-quality concrete work? Trust the experienced professionals at Keller Landscaping to bring your vision to life with durable, beautifully integrated hardscape features. Whether you’re planning a new patio, walkway, driveway, or custom outdoor project, Keller Landscaping in Connecticut delivers precision, efficiency, and style.
Serving homeowners across Connecticut, Keller Landscaping specializes in site preparation, grading, and custom concrete design that complements your landscape. With a reputation for quality craftsmanship and seamless integration of hardscape and softscape elements, our team ensures every yard of concrete is poured to perfection.