Concrete coverage guide
One cubic yard is a fixed 27 ft³ of material — how far it spreads depends only on depth. These tables settle the 'how far will it go' question for yards and bags alike.
Contents
Coverage per cubic yard
| Thickness | Coverage per yd³ | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in (51 mm) | 162 ft² | Bonded toppings only |
| 3 in (76 mm) | 108 ft² | Mowing strips, light paths |
| 4 in (102 mm) | 81 ft² | Patios, walkways, shed pads |
| 5 in (127 mm) | 65 ft² | Driveways (cars) |
| 6 in (152 mm) | 54 ft² | Garages, RV pads |
| 8 in (203 mm) | 40 ft² | Commercial, footings |
Coverage per bag
| Bag size | Yield | Coverage at 4 in |
|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 0.30 ft³ | 0.9 ft²90 bags per yd³ |
| 60 lb | 0.45 ft³ | 1.35 ft²60 bags per yd³ |
| 80 lb | 0.60 ft³ | 1.8 ft²45 bags per yd³ |
| 90 lb (pro mix) | 0.675 ft³ | 2.0 ft²40 bags per yd³ |
The coverage formula
Coverage (ft²) = Volume (ft³) ÷ Thickness (ft)
- Volume
- 27 for a yard, or the bag yield
- Thickness
- depth in feet (inches ÷ 12)
Metric: coverage (m²) = volume (m³) ÷ thickness (m). One cubic meter covers 10 m² at 100 mm.
Worked example: ordering by area
A client wants 620 ft² of 4-inch patio and paths. How much concrete does the job take?
- 1
Coverage per yard at 4 in
324 ÷ 4 = 81 ft²/yd³
- 2
Yards required
620 ÷ 81 = 7.65 yd³
- 3
Add 10% waste
7.65 × 1.10 = 8.42 yd³
- 4
Round to plant increment
8.5 yd³
Result: Order 8.5 yd³ — one full truck plus a partial, so ask dispatch to load 9 and avoid a second trip.
Frequently asked questions
Turn coverage into an order
Enter your dimensions once — get yards, bags and weight together.
Related calculators
Related guides
Coverage for asphalt
Sources & references
- [1]Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed. — Portland Cement Association, 2021