Concrete Weight Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does concrete weigh per cubic yard? +
  Standard normal-weight concrete weighs approximately 4,050 pounds per cubic yard (150 lb/ft³ × 27 ft³/yd³ = 4,050 lb/yd³). This is the value used by structural engineers for dead-load calculations per ACI 318. Lightweight concrete mixes weigh 2,430–3,510 lb/yd³, while heavyweight (radiation-shielding) concrete can exceed 5,400 lb/yd³. For any standard ready-mix project, use 4,050 lb/yd³ as your baseline.
• How much does a cubic foot of concrete weigh? +
  Standard normal-weight concrete weighs 150 pounds per cubic foot. This is the ACI 318 default and the value your structural engineer uses for floor load and foundation design. One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet, so 27 × 150 = 4,050 lb/yd³. An 80 lb bag of dry mix yields approximately 0.60 ft³ when mixed — that cured concrete weighs about 90 lb (the mix gains a small amount of water weight and then loses some to evaporation).
• How much does a cubic meter of concrete weigh in kg? +
  Normal-weight concrete weighs 2,400 kg per cubic meter (2,400 kg/m³). This is the metric equivalent of 150 lb/ft³ and is the value used in international structural standards including Eurocode 2. For lightweight concrete, the typical range is 1,440–2,000 kg/m³. For heavyweight concrete, expect 2,880–4,000 kg/m³ or higher depending on the aggregate used (barite, magnetite, steel punchings).
• How much does a full concrete truck weigh? +
  A standard ready-mix truck (transit mixer) typically carries 8–10 cubic yards of concrete. At 150 lb/ft³, that's 32,400–40,500 pounds of concrete. Add the truck's empty weight of 26,000–30,000 lb and you get a gross vehicle weight of 58,000–70,500 lb — well above the 80,000 lb federal interstate highway limit for a standard 5-axle truck, which is why some trucks are limited to 8 yards. Always check your site access road's rated capacity before ordering a full truck.
• Does cured concrete weigh the same as fresh concrete? +
  No — cured concrete is slightly lighter than fresh concrete because some of the mix water evaporates during curing. The difference is typically 3–5%. Fresh concrete at 150 lb/ft³ may cure to approximately 143–145 lb/ft³ after full hydration and drying. For structural dead-load design, engineers use the fresh (wet) weight of 150 lb/ft³ as the conservative assumption. For demolition weight estimates, the cured weight is more accurate, but the difference is small enough that 150 lb/ft³ remains acceptable for most calculations.
• Why do I need to know concrete weight? +
  Concrete weight matters in several critical scenarios: structural dead-load design (your floor must support the concrete's permanent weight), crane pick planning (cranes are rated in tons — you must know the load weight before making any lift), haul truck planning (overloaded trucks damage roads and require permits), precast element design (panels must be strong enough to handle their own weight during stripping and erection), and demolition estimation (determining how much material to remove and haul away). In all these cases, using the wrong weight can create safety hazards or costly mistakes.
• How do I convert cubic yards to tons of concrete? +
  Multiply cubic yards by 2.025 to get US short tons of normal-weight concrete. The math: 1 yd³ × 27 ft³/yd³ × 150 lb/ft³ = 4,050 lb ÷ 2,000 lb/ton = 2.025 tons/yd³. So 5 cubic yards = 5 × 2.025 = 10.125 tons. For metric tonnes, multiply cubic yards by 1.837 instead (same logic using kg/m³ conversion). This calculator does all of this instantly — just enter your volume and read off the tons result.
• What is the weight of lightweight concrete? +
  Lightweight concrete (LWC) made with expanded shale, clay, or slate aggregates typically weighs 90–115 lb/ft³ (1,440–1,840 kg/m³) — roughly 23–40% lighter than normal-weight concrete. Structural lightweight concrete (SLWC) used in bridge decks and high-rise floor systems typically targets 110–115 lb/ft³ to balance weight savings with structural performance. The reduced dead load allows smaller beams, columns, and foundations, which can offset the premium cost of lightweight aggregate on multi-story projects.
• How do I calculate the weight of a concrete slab? +
  Multiply the slab's length × width × thickness (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then multiply by 150 lb/ft³. For example, a 20 ft × 20 ft × 0.333 ft (4-inch) slab = 133.3 ft³ × 150 = 20,000 lb (10 US tons). To get cubic yards, divide ft³ by 27 first. Alternatively, use our Concrete Slab Calculator to get the volume, then paste that into this calculator to get the weight instantly — no manual math required.
• Is there a difference between a short ton and a metric tonne? +
  Yes — and confusing them can cause significant errors. A US short ton = 2,000 pounds. A metric tonne = 1,000 kilograms = 2,204.6 pounds. A metric tonne is about 10.2% heavier than a US short ton. In US construction, "ton" almost always means the short ton (2,000 lb). In international projects, engineering documents, and shipping, "tonne" (with an 'e') means the metric tonne (1,000 kg). This calculator shows both clearly — make sure you use the right one for your application.