Quick answer
Concrete weight = volume × density. 3 cubic yards (81 ft³) at 150 lb/ft³ weighs 12,150 lb, which is 6.08 US tons or 5,511 kg.
Enter volume, its unit and the density. The calculator returns weight in pounds, tons and kilograms.
Related tools: Concrete Mix Calculator: Cement, sand and aggregate for a nominal volume mix such as 1:2:4. Concrete Steps Calculator: Concrete volume for solid stacked steps. Concrete Volume Calculator: Cubic yards of concrete and bags needed for a slab, footing or pad.
How to use the Concrete Weight Calculator
- Enter volume (above 0).
- Choose volume unit: Cubic yards, Cubic feet and Cubic meters.
- Enter density (lb/ft³) (above 0). It starts at 150.
- Press Calculate to see the result, and use Reset to start again.
| Input | What to enter | Allowed values |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | A number | > 0 |
| Volume unit | Choose one: Cubic yards; Cubic feet; Cubic meters | Starts at Cubic yards |
| Density | A number, in lb/ft³. Reinforced normal-weight concrete is about 150 lb/ft³ | > 0, starts at 150 |
Formula and method
Formula
weight = volume (ft³) × density
IEEE-754 double precision; shown to the decimals indicated.
Normal-weight reinforced concrete is commonly taken as about 150 lb/ft³ (plain about 145); enter your mix's value if known. Plan geometry only; confirm quantities with your supplier and local code before ordering.
Worked examples
These examples are verified: each one is an automated test case that the live calculator must reproduce exactly.
Example 1
Inputs: Volume = 3; Volume unit = Cubic yards; Density = 150.
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 12,150 lb |
| US tons | 6.08 |
| Kilograms | 5,511 |
Example 2
Inputs: Volume = 100; Volume unit = Cubic feet; Density = 145.
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 14,500 lb |
| US tons | 7.25 |
| Kilograms | 6,577 |
Example 3
Inputs: Volume = 2; Volume unit = Cubic meters; Density = 150.
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10,594 lb |
| US tons | 5.3 |
| Kilograms | 4,806 |
The first line is the headline result (weight). Below it the concrete Weight Calculator lists uS tons and kilograms, which describe the same case from other angles. IEEE-754 double precision; shown to the decimals indicated.
Density
Normal-weight concrete is about 145 to 150 lb/ft³ (2,320 to 2,400 kg/m³). Lightweight mixes are about 90 to 115 lb/ft³ and heavyweight mixes used for shielding are higher. Reinforced concrete is a little heavier.
Why it matters
Delivery trucks, forms, supports and floors must handle the weight. A single yard weighs about 4,050 lb, which is why concrete trucks are heavy and why driveways may need protection.
How the result changes with volume
Holding every other input at the first worked example, this table changes only volume. It shows how sensitive the answer is to that one value; each row was produced by running this calculator.
| Volume | Weight | US tons | Kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 6,075 lb | 3.04 | 2,756 |
| 3 | 12,150 lb | 6.08 | 5,511 |
| 6 | 24,300 lb | 12.15 | 11,022 |
| 12 | 48,600 lb | 24.3 | 22,045 |
What happens with invalid input
These messages are produced by the calculator itself, so you know what to fix.
- Volume: entering "0" shows "Volume must be greater than 0." beside that field and no result.
- Density: entering "0" shows "Density must be greater than 0." beside that field and no result.
Choosing between the Concrete Weight Calculator and similar calculators
Each row shows what a related calculator on this site asks for and what it returns, so you can pick the one that matches your question.
| Calculator | You enter | It returns |
|---|---|---|
| [Concrete Mix Calculator](/construction/concrete-mix-calculator/) | volume of concrete, volume unit and nominal mix | Cement |
| [Concrete Steps Calculator](/construction/concrete-steps-calculator/) | number of steps, riser height and tread depth | Concrete volume |
| [Concrete Volume Calculator](/construction/concrete-volume-calculator/) | length, width and thickness | Concrete needed |
| [Post Hole Concrete Calculator](/construction/post-hole-concrete-calculator/) | hole diameter, hole depth and post shape | Concrete per hole |
| [Concrete Block Fill Calculator](/construction/concrete-block-fill-calculator/) | blocks with filled cores, core volume per block and waste allowance | Fill needed |
Background: construction estimates
Material quantities are geometry plus a margin. Calculate the exact volume or area, add an allowance for waste, spillage, cuts and uneven ground (calculator pages commonly mention 5 to 10 percent, a rule of thumb that varies by material and job) and round up to whole units. One cubic yard is exactly 27 cubic feet.
Suppliers often have minimum order sizes and may charge for small loads, so confirm quantities, product yields and local code with your supplier or a qualified estimator before ordering.
Assumptions and limitations
- Lightweight and heavyweight mixes differ
Quantities are estimates. Add allowances for waste and site conditions, and follow local codes and a qualified professional's instructions for structural or safety-critical work.
If a required value is empty, not a number, or outside its allowed range, the form marks that field with a message and shows no result instead of a misleading number. The automated checks deliberately try invalid entries for volume and density to confirm this.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard weigh?
About 4,050 lb at 150 lb/ft³.
Is wet concrete heavier?
Slightly, until it cures.
How do I convert to tonnes?
Divide kilograms by 1,000.
What does the Concrete Weight Calculator calculate?
Weight of a volume of concrete from its density. It returns Weight, US tons and Kilograms.
What formula does the Concrete Weight Calculator use?
weight = volume (ft³) × density. Normal-weight reinforced concrete is commonly taken as about 150 lb/ft³ (plain about 145); enter your mix's value if known.
What do I need to enter in the concrete Weight Calculator?
You enter Volume, Volume unit and Density (lb/ft³).
How is the result rounded or limited?
IEEE-754 double precision; shown to the decimals indicated. Lightweight and heavyweight mixes differ.
What does the “Volume unit” option change?
It sets how the concrete Weight is worked out. The choices are Cubic yards, Cubic feet and Cubic meters.
What is an example of a concrete Weight result?
With volume 3, volume unit Cubic yards and density 150, the weight is 12,150 lb.
Where does the method come from?
The method follows: ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads, Table C3.1-1 (reinforced concrete ≈ 150 lb/ft³).
Can I rely on this calculator for a decision?
Quantities are estimates. Add allowances for waste and site conditions, and follow local codes and a qualified professional's instructions for structural or safety-critical work. For this calculator in particular: Lightweight and heavyweight mixes differ.
Related calculators
- Concrete Mix Calculator — Cement, sand and aggregate for a nominal volume mix such as 1:2:4.
- Concrete Steps Calculator — Concrete volume for solid stacked steps.
- Concrete Volume Calculator — Cubic yards of concrete and bags needed for a slab, footing or pad.
- Post Hole Concrete Calculator — Concrete per post hole after the post's volume.
- Concrete Block Fill Calculator — Grout or concrete needed to fill block cores.
- Concrete Reinforcing Mesh Calculator — Mesh sheets for a slab, allowing for overlaps.
- Dimensional Weight Calculator — Dimensional (volumetric) weight using a carrier divisor you enter.
Sources
- ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads, Table C3.1-1 (reinforced concrete ≈ 150 lb/ft³)
Content last reviewed 2026-11-04. Formulas and worked examples are checked by automated tests against independently computed values.