Concrete Calculator Canada
Estimate the exact volume in cubic yards or metres, plus the number of Quikrete or Sakrete bags needed for your slab or sonotubes.
Calculate Concrete for Slabs and Sonotubes in Canada
Welcome to ConcreteCalculator.website. If you are building a deck in Ontario or pouring a driveway pad out in BC, getting your material calculation right is incredibly important. In Canada, dealing with the frost line means we often dig deep sonotubes for fence posts and footings. Ordering too much ready mix wastes your hard earned money, while running short during a pour is a contractor's worst nightmare.
I designed this Canadian concrete calculator to be as simple and accurate as possible:
- Select your preferred measurement system. Use Imperial if you measure lumber and plots in feet, or Metric if you work strictly in metres.
- Select what you are building: a concrete slab, deep sonotubes or fence posts, or standard stairs.
- Enter your exact dimensions. Ensure you measure the exact depth of your excavation.
- Hit calculate to get your volume and instantly see how many standard bags of Quikrete or Sakrete you need to pick up from the hardware store.
How Do You Calculate Cubic Yards and Metres?
If you prefer to crunch the numbers manually, the formula is quite straightforward. You just need to ensure all your measurements are converted to the same unit before multiplying.
Cubic Yards Formula: Length in feet multiplied by Width in feet multiplied by Depth in feet. Take that total number and divide by 27.
Cubic Metres Formula: Length in metres multiplied by Width in metres multiplied by Depth in metres.
Quick Canadian Example: Let us say you are pouring a backyard patio that is 10 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 4 inches thick. First, convert your 4 inches to feet by dividing by 12, giving you 0.33 feet. Now multiply: 10 times 10 times 0.33 equals 33 cubic feet. Divide 33 by 27, and you get exactly 1.22 cubic yards of concrete.
Quikrete and Sakrete Bag Yields
For smaller DIY jobs, Canadians usually head to local hardware stores to grab bags of premixed concrete. Depending on whether you use the Imperial or Metric setting on our calculator, here is exactly what those bags yield:
| Common Bag Size | Approximate Yield | Bags needed per Yard or Metre |
|---|---|---|
| 80 lb Bag | 0.60 cubic feet | 45 bags per cubic yard |
| 60 lb Bag | 0.45 cubic feet | 60 bags per cubic yard |
| 30 kg Bag | 0.0138 cubic metres | 73 bags per cubic metre |
| 25 kg Bag | 0.011 cubic metres | 90 bags per cubic metre |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate concrete for sonotubes or fence posts?
To calculate concrete for sonotubes, treat it as a cylinder. You need the diameter of the tube in inches and the depth of the hole in feet. Our calculator handles the complex pi math for you to provide the exact cubic yards or bags required.
How many bags of concrete do I need for a cubic yard?
For a standard cubic yard of concrete, you will need exactly forty five 80lb bags or sixty 60lb bags of premixed concrete like Quikrete or Sakrete.
What is the cost of a concrete slab in Canada?
While prices vary between provinces like Ontario and BC, you can expect to pay anywhere from 200 to 300 Canadian dollars per cubic metre for ready mix delivery, excluding the labour costs for pouring and finishing the slab.
Should I use Quikrete bags or order ready mix concrete?
For small backyard jobs like a few fence posts or a tiny shed pad, buying bags from Home Depot or Rona is cost effective. For anything over one cubic yard, ordering a ready mix truck will save you money and intense physical labour.