Concrete Bag Calculator

Find out exactly how many bags of concrete you need. Enter your slab dimensions and bag size — get bag count, total weight, and cost instantly.

Slab & Footing Volume

Calculate concrete volume from length × width × depth, with slab depth presets

Covers spillage, uneven sub-base, and over-dig

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Concrete bag calculation tips

Bag sizes and yields

A 25kg bag of concrete yields approximately 0.0125m³. A 40kg bag yields about 0.02m³. Always check the manufacturer's yield on the packaging — it varies by mix design and aggregate size.

Mixing bagged concrete

For bagged concrete, use approximately 2.5-3 litres of clean water per 25kg bag. Too much water weakens the mix. Mix until the consistency is like thick peanut butter — workable but not runny.

When to use bags vs ready-mix

Use bagged concrete for jobs under 1m³ (small pads, post holes, repairs). For anything over 2m³, ready-mix delivery is almost always cheaper, faster, and more consistent.

Storing bagged concrete

Store bags off the ground on pallets, covered with waterproof sheeting. Concrete absorbs moisture from the air and will set in the bag if left exposed. Use within 6 months of purchase.

Formulas used

Volume

V = length × width × depth

Bags needed

bags = ceil(V × (1 + waste%) / yield_per_bag)

Total weight

weight = bags × bag_weight

Cost

cost = bags × price_per_bag

Worked example: 2m × 1.5m shed base at 100mm, using 25kg bags

  1. 1Volume = 2 × 1.5 × 0.1 = 0.3 m³
  2. 2With 10% waste: 0.3 × 1.10 = 0.33 m³
  3. 3Bags needed: ceil(0.33 / 0.0125) = 27 bags of 25kg
  4. 4Total weight: 27 × 25 = 675 kg
  5. 5Cost at £4.50/bag: 27 × £4.50 = £121.50

Assumptions & limitations

When to ask a professional

For structural concrete (foundations, retaining walls, structural slabs), consult a structural engineer. Bagged concrete is suitable for non-structural applications like shed bases, patios, and post holes. For load-bearing applications, use ready-mix with a specified mix design.

Frequently asked questions

How many 25kg bags of concrete do I need for 1m³?

You need approximately 80 bags of 25kg concrete for 1m³. With 5% waste allowance, order 84 bags. Each 25kg bag yields about 0.0125m³.

How many 40kg bags make 1 cubic metre?

Approximately 50 bags of 40kg concrete make 1m³. Each 40kg bag yields about 0.02m³. With 5% waste, order 53 bags.

How much does a bag of concrete cost?

In the UK, a 25kg bag of general-purpose concrete costs £4-6. In the US, an 80lb (36kg) bag costs $4-7. Bulk discounts apply for orders over 50 bags.

Can I use this calculator for post-hole concrete?

Yes — enter the post hole diameter as width, depth as depth, and a small length. For a 300mm diameter hole at 600mm deep, use width=0.3, length=0.3, depth=0.6.