Concrete Calculator
Cubic metres of concrete needed for slabs, footings, columns, or custom shapes. Plus waste buffer and bag-mix equivalents for small jobs.
Estimated UAE cost
How to use
- 1
Pick the shape — slab for floors and patios, footing for foundations, column for vertical supports, or stairs.
- 2
Enter dimensions in metres. Decimals are fine: 0.15 m = 15 cm thickness.
- 3
The waste buffer (default 10%) covers spillage, formwork bulge, and mis-mixing. 5-15% is the usual range.
- 4
The result shows volume, equivalent 50kg bags (for small DIY jobs), and ready-mix truck count (for larger jobs over ~2m³).
Frequently asked questions
Under 1 m³: bag-mix usually wins on hassle (each 50kg bag yields ~0.025 m³, so 1 m³ = 40 bags). Between 1-3 m³: judgment call — bag-mix saves the truck minimum-charge but takes hours of hand mixing. Above 3 m³: ready-mix is faster, more consistent strength, and roughly the same total cost once you factor in mixer hire and labour.
Residential patio/driveway: 100-150mm (4-6 inches). Garage floor: 150mm. Foundation slab on grade: 150-200mm with reinforcement. Heavy industrial: 200-300mm. Always check local building code (UAE: Dubai Municipality / Abu Dhabi Building Code) for structural slabs — they require engineering signoff above certain spans.
Round columns: π × radius² × height. Square columns: side × side × height. The calculator does both. Add 10-15% waste for column work — pours into vertical forms have more loss than horizontal slabs.
Ready-mix delivered: AED 220-280 per m³ depending on grade (M25-M40 typical residential), distance from plant, and pump-truck requirements. Bag-mix at hardware stores: AED 10-15 per 50kg bag (~AED 400-600 per m³ equivalent — much more expensive per m³ but no minimum order).
UAE plants typically have a 4-6 m³ minimum, plus pump-truck charges if access is poor (around AED 1,500-3,000 per pump session). For 1-3 m³ projects, you'll pay the minimum-load surcharge — which is why many small jobs use bag-mix.
Initial set: 4-6 hours. Walkable: 24 hours. Vehicle-loadable: 7 days at ~70% strength. Full design strength: 28 days. Don't load it heavily until day 28 even if it looks dry. In UAE summer (40°C+), curing is faster but evaporation cracking is a major risk — keep concrete damp for the first 7 days.
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Source: Standard structural concrete densities: 2,400 kg/m³. Bag-mix conversion: 50kg bag yields ~0.025 m³. · Last verified 2026-06. This tool provides estimates only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Always verify your specific situation with the relevant UAE authority or a licensed advisor before taking action.