Load reference · Updated 2026
Concrete Weight Calculator: Weight, Load per Sq Ft & Structural Reference
Not just the weight: find load per square foot, truck count, soil bearing comparison, and whether an existing structure can handle a new concrete overlay.
How Much Does Concrete Weigh?
Step 1
What are you calculating the weight of?
Step 2
Dimensions & concrete type
Patios, sidewalks, general residential. Most common residential mix.
Step 3
Analysis dimensions
Results
Slab / Patio · Standard (3,000 PSI)
lbs
20,000
kg
9,071.84
short tons
10
metric t
9.07
Volume: 133.33 ft3 · 4.94 yd3 · 3.78 m3.
Density: 150 lbs/ft3 · 2,400 kg/m3.
Load Analysis
Dead load: 50 psf (2.39 kPa).
Residential floor live-load reference: 40 psf. Garage slab-on-grade: usually OK when placed on compacted subbase.
Transport Analysis
Ready-mix trucks needed: 1 truck(s), based on 10 yd3 or 40,000 lb capacity.
Flatbeds for cured concrete: 1. Demolition dumpster estimate: 3 load(s).
| Soil | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Soft clay | 500 psf | Adequate (10x) |
| Stiff clay | 2000 psf | Adequate (40x) |
| Loose sand | 1500 psf | Adequate (30x) |
| Dense sand | 3000 psf | Adequate (60x) |
| Gravel | 5000 psf | Adequate (100x) |
| Bedrock | 20000 psf | Adequate (400x) |
Concrete Density Reference - 8 Mix Types
Density varies by aggregate type, water-cement ratio, air content, and reinforcement.
| Concrete Type | lbs/ft3 | lbs/yd3 | kg/m3 | PSI Range | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pervious / Porous | 95-105 | 2,565-2,835 | 1,520-1,680 | 2,000-3,000 | Permeable driveways, parking |
| Lightweight | 105-120 | 2,835-3,240 | 1,680-1,920 | 3,000-5,000 | Upper floors, roof decks |
| Standard (3,000 PSI) | 145-155 | 3,915-4,185 | 2,320-2,480 | 3,000 | Patios, sidewalks, general use |
| Standard (4,000 PSI) | 148-155 | 3,996-4,185 | 2,370-2,480 | 4,000 | Driveways, garage floors |
| Fiber-Reinforced | 148-152 | 3,996-4,104 | 2,370-2,435 | 3,500-5,000 | Industrial floors, driveways |
| Reinforced (with rebar) | 150-160 | 4,050-4,320 | 2,400-2,560 | 3,500-6,000 | Structural beams, columns |
| High-Strength (5,000+ PSI) | 150-155 | 4,050-4,185 | 2,400-2,480 | 5,000-10,000 | High-rise, bridges |
| Heavyweight / Shielding | 190-220 | 5,130-5,940 | 3,040-3,520 | 3,500-5,000 | Nuclear shielding, ballast |
How Much Does Concrete Weigh? - Common Projects Quick Reference
Based on standard 3,000 PSI concrete at 150 lbs/ft3. No waste factor applied.
| Project | Dimensions | Thickness | Volume | Weight (lbs) | Weight (tons) | Load (psf) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small patio | 10x10 ft | 4 in | 33.3 ft3 | 5,000 lbs | 2.5 tons | 50 psf |
| Standard patio | 20x20 ft | 4 in | 133.3 ft3 | 20,000 lbs | 10.0 tons | 50 psf |
| 1-car driveway | 12x20 ft | 4 in | 80 ft3 | 12,000 lbs | 6.0 tons | 50 psf |
| 2-car driveway | 16x40 ft | 4 in | 213 ft3 | 32,000 lbs | 16.0 tons | 50 psf |
| 2-car garage | 24x24 ft | 4 in | 192 ft3 | 28,800 lbs | 14.4 tons | 50 psf |
| Shed base | 12x16 ft | 4 in | 64 ft3 | 9,600 lbs | 4.8 tons | 50 psf |
| Concrete wall | 20x8 ft | 8 in | 106.7 ft3 | 16,000 lbs | 8.0 tons | 100 psf |
| Deck post (4) | 10 in dia x 4 ft | - | 8.7 ft3 | 1,309 lbs | 0.65 tons | - |
| Concrete steps (3) | 4 ft wide | 7/11 in | 12.8 ft3 | 1,920 lbs | 0.96 tons | - |
| Strip footing | 40 lin ft | 12x8 in | 26.7 ft3 | 4,000 lbs | 2.0 tons | - |
| 6 in thick slab | 20x20 ft | 6 in | 200 ft3 | 30,000 lbs | 15.0 tons | 75 psf |
| Countertop | 10x2 ft | 2 in | 3.3 ft3 | 500 lbs | 0.25 tons | 25 psf |
What Does Concrete Weight Mean for Your Structure?
Concrete weight is dead load. Dead load plus live load is what your soil, floor framing, or footing must support.
Load Types
Dead load: permanent weight of the structure itself. A 4 inch concrete slab is about 50 psf.
Live load: people, furniture, vehicles, and equipment. Residential floors are often designed around 40 psf live load.
Total load: dead + live load. Example: 4 inch slab at 50 psf plus 40 psf live load equals about 90 psf.
Concrete Overlay Feasibility
Over a wood deck: 2 inches is 25 psf, 3 inches is 37.5 psf, and 4 inches is 50 psf. A 4 inch overlay usually exceeds typical residential wood floor live-load capacity.
Over slab-on-grade: load transfers to soil, but the existing slab must be sound. Always consult an engineer for elevated structures.
Use the calculate cubic yards of concrete workflow for full volume planning, then estimate how many bags of concrete do you need, compare ready-mix concrete prices per yard, or check concrete slab cost.
Concrete Weight vs. Other Building Materials
Concrete is heavy, but steel and some stone are heavier. Lightweight concrete can reduce dead load by 20-30%.
| Material | lbs/ft3 | lbs/yd3 | Relative to Concrete | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (standard) | 150 | 4,050 | 1.0x baseline | - |
| Reinforced concrete | 156 | 4,212 | 1.04x | +4% for rebar |
| Brick (solid) | 120 | 3,240 | 0.80x | - |
| Granite | 168 | 4,536 | 1.12x | Heavier than concrete |
| Limestone | 160 | 4,320 | 1.07x | - |
| Steel | 490 | 13,230 | 3.27x | - |
| Dry sand | 100 | 2,700 | 0.67x | - |
| Gravel (dry) | 105 | 2,835 | 0.70x | - |
| Water | 62.4 | 1,685 | 0.42x | - |
| Softwood lumber | 31 | 837 | 0.21x | - |
| Asphalt | 140 | 3,780 | 0.93x | - |
| Lightweight concrete | 110 | 2,970 | 0.73x | 27% lighter |
Need volume first? Use the cubic yards calculator.
Concrete Weight Calculator - Frequently Asked Questions
How much does concrete weigh per cubic foot?+
Standard concrete weighs 150 pounds per cubic foot, or about 2,400 kg/m3. A 4-inch slab weighs 150 x (4 / 12) = 50 pounds per square foot.
How much does a yard of concrete weigh?+
One cubic yard of standard concrete weighs about 4,050 pounds, or 2.03 short tons. A full 10-yard ready-mix truck carries about 40,500 pounds of concrete.
How much does a 4-inch concrete slab weigh?+
A 4-inch slab weighs 50 pounds per square foot. A 10x10 ft slab weighs 5,000 lbs; a 20x20 ft slab weighs 20,000 lbs; a 24x24 ft garage floor weighs 28,800 lbs.
What is the dead load of a concrete slab per square foot?+
Concrete slab dead load is thickness in inches x 12.5 psf. A 4-inch slab is 50 psf, a 6-inch slab is 75 psf, and an 8-inch slab is 100 psf.
How many trucks does it take to pour a concrete driveway?+
A ready-mix truck carries about 8-10 cubic yards or 32,400-40,500 lbs. A 16x40 ft driveway at 4 inches needs about 10.8 yd3, usually requiring 2 trucks.
Can I pour concrete over an existing wood deck?+
Generally no, not without structural engineering review. A 4-inch concrete slab weighs 50 psf, exceeding the typical 40 psf live load capacity of many residential wood floor systems.
How much does lightweight concrete weigh vs. standard?+
Lightweight concrete weighs 105-120 lb/ft3 versus standard concrete at about 150 lb/ft3. That is usually a 20-30% weight reduction.
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