How Much Does Concrete Weigh? (Per Yard, Foot, and Bag)
Concrete weighs approximately **4,000 pounds per cubic yard** or **150 pounds per cubic foot** when freshly mixed. This weight matters for transport planning, structural load calculations, and understanding what you're working with when mixing bags by hand.
How Much Does Concrete Weigh? (Per Yard, Foot, and Bag)
Concrete weighs approximately 4,000 pounds per cubic yard or 150 pounds per cubic foot when freshly mixed. This weight matters for transport planning, structural load calculations, and understanding what you're working with when mixing bags by hand.
Knowing concrete's weight helps you determine if your truck can haul it, whether your subgrade can support it, and how much physical effort your project will require.
Weight by Volume
Here's a quick reference for concrete weight at different volumes:
| Volume | Weight (Wet) | Weight (Cured) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | ~4,000 lbs | ~3,900 lbs |
| 1 cubic foot | ~150 lbs | ~145 lbs |
| 1 cubic meter | ~2,400 kg | ~2,350 kg |
Freshly mixed concrete is slightly heavier than cured concrete because some water evaporates during the curing process. The difference is about 2-3%.
Bag Weights
Bagged concrete comes in standard sizes. The bag weight is the dry mix weight—add water and the mixed concrete weighs more:
| Bag Size (Dry) | Mixed Weight | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | ~50 lbs | 0.30 cu ft |
| 50 lb | ~62 lbs | 0.375 cu ft |
| 60 lb | ~75 lbs | 0.45 cu ft |
| 80 lb | ~100 lbs | 0.60 cu ft |
When you add water to an 80-lb bag, you're adding roughly 2.5-3 quarts (about 5-6 lbs), plus the chemical reaction retains most of that water initially. Expect mixed concrete to weigh about 25% more than the dry bag weight.
For bag quantity planning, see our guide on how many bags of concrete you need.
Weight Per Square Foot (Slabs)
For slab projects, weight per square foot depends on thickness:
| Thickness | Weight per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| 3 inches | ~37 lbs/sqft |
| 4 inches | ~50 lbs/sqft |
| 5 inches | ~62 lbs/sqft |
| 6 inches | ~75 lbs/sqft |
Example: A 10×12 patio at 4 inches thick weighs approximately:
- 120 sqft × 50 lbs = 6,000 pounds
This matters for structural considerations—your subgrade and any supporting structure needs to handle this load plus whatever goes on top (furniture, vehicles, equipment).
Why Concrete Weight Matters
Understanding concrete weight is practical for several reasons:
Transport Planning
A standard half-ton pickup truck (like an F-150) has a payload capacity of about 1,500-2,000 pounds. Here's what that means for hauling bags:
| Bag Size | Max Bags per Trip | Cubic Feet |
|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 40-50 bags | 12-15 cu ft |
| 60 lb | 25-33 bags | 11-15 cu ft |
| 80 lb | 18-25 bags | 11-15 cu ft |
Important: These are weight limits, not space limits. Don't overload your vehicle—concrete bags are dense and heavy.
Structural Load
When pouring concrete over a deck, bridge, or elevated surface, the structure must support the concrete's weight. A 4-inch slab weighs 50 lbs per square foot—a 100 sqft section adds 5,000 lbs of dead load before you add anything else.
Physical Effort
Mixing concrete is hard work. An 80-lb bag requires lifting, pouring, and mixing material that weighs over 100 lbs when wet. Plan accordingly:
- Have helpers for projects requiring 20+ bags
- Use 60-lb bags if you have back concerns
- Consider ready-mix for large projects
For volume context, see our guide on what a yard of concrete actually is.
Wet vs Dry/Cured Weight
A common question: does concrete get lighter when it dries?
Short answer: Slightly, but not much.
The details: Concrete curing is a chemical reaction (hydration), not simply drying. The water bonds chemically with the cement rather than evaporating entirely. Cured concrete loses about 2-3% of its initial weight—not enough to matter for most practical purposes.
| State | Weight per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Freshly mixed | ~4,050 lbs |
| 7 days cured | ~4,000 lbs |
| 28 days cured | ~3,900 lbs |
For calculation purposes, use 150 lbs per cubic foot or 4,000 lbs per cubic yard. The variation isn't significant enough to change your planning.
Lightweight Concrete
Standard concrete weighs 140-150 lbs per cubic foot. Lightweight concrete options exist for specific applications:
| Type | Weight per Cu Ft | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 140-150 lbs | Most applications |
| Structural lightweight | 90-115 lbs | Elevated decks, roofs |
| Insulating lightweight | 50-90 lbs | Non-structural fill |
Lightweight concrete uses expanded shale, clay, or other lightweight aggregates instead of standard gravel. It's more expensive and typically used only where weight reduction is critical.
Calculating Weight for Your Project
To estimate your project's concrete weight:
- Calculate volume in cubic feet (Length × Width × Thickness)
- Multiply by 150 lbs per cubic foot
Example: 12×10 patio, 4 inches thick
- Volume: 12 × 10 × 0.33 = 39.6 cubic feet
- Weight: 39.6 × 150 = 5,940 lbs
Use our concrete calculator to determine volume, then multiply by 150 for weight. For step-by-step calculation guidance, see how to calculate concrete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 4-inch slab weigh per square foot?
A 4-inch concrete slab weighs approximately 50 pounds per square foot. This includes the full cured weight of the concrete. For a 10×10 area (100 sqft), that's about 5,000 pounds total.
Can my truck carry concrete bags?
Most half-ton trucks can carry 18-25 bags of 80-lb concrete (about 1,500-2,000 lbs) per trip. Check your vehicle's payload capacity in the owner's manual—it's usually printed on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb. Don't exceed it.
Does concrete get lighter when it dries?
Slightly. Cured concrete weighs about 2-3% less than freshly poured concrete as some water evaporates during curing. However, most water bonds chemically with the cement rather than evaporating. For practical purposes, the weight difference is negligible.
Key Takeaways
- Concrete weighs ~150 lbs per cubic foot or ~4,000 lbs per cubic yard
- An 80-lb bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet and weighs ~100 lbs when mixed
- A 4-inch slab weighs ~50 lbs per square foot
- Cured concrete is only 2-3% lighter than wet concrete
- Check your truck's payload capacity before hauling bags
For material decisions, see our guide on ready-mix vs bagged concrete. For more fundamentals, visit our concrete basics guide or browse all concrete guides.