Accurately estimating concrete is critical for any construction project in the Greater Toronto Area. Ordering too little means costly mid-pour delays and potential cold joints, while ordering too much wastes money and creates disposal headaches. Our concrete calculator accounts for standard 10% waste to give you a realistic estimate.

For small residential projects like fence posts or small pads (under 1 cubic yard), pre-mixed bags from a hardware store are the most practical option. For larger projects like driveways, garage slabs, or footings, ready-mix concrete delivered by truck is far more cost-effective. In the GTA, ready-mix concrete typically costs $180–$250 per cubic yard delivered, depending on the mix design, distance, and seasonal demand.

Remember that concrete cures stronger when poured in moderate temperatures. In Ontario's climate, plan pours between late spring and early fall when possible. For winter pours, budget an additional 15–25% for heated enclosures and accelerating admixtures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bags of concrete do I need?

The number of bags depends on the volume of your project. A standard 30kg bag of concrete yields approximately 0.015 cubic yards. For a 4-inch thick slab that is 10 feet by 10 feet, you would need approximately 56 bags of 30kg concrete. Our calculator above computes exact bag counts for 60-lb and 80-lb bags based on your project dimensions.

How do I calculate concrete for a slab?

Multiply length (feet) × width (feet) × depth (inches), then divide by 324 to get cubic yards. For example, a 20×20 foot slab that is 4 inches thick: 20 × 20 × 4 ÷ 324 = 4.94 cubic yards. Add 10% for waste, bringing the total to about 5.4 cubic yards. Our concrete slab calculator above handles this math automatically.

How much does a cubic yard of concrete cost in Toronto?

Ready-mix concrete in the GTA typically costs $180–$250 per cubic yard delivered, depending on the mix design, delivery distance, and seasonal demand. Premium mixes like high-strength or fibre-reinforced concrete cost more. Most ready-mix suppliers require a minimum order of 1–2 cubic yards, with short-load fees for smaller quantities.

How do I calculate concrete for sonotube footings?

For round sonotube columns, use the formula: radius² × π × depth (all in feet), then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For a standard 12-inch diameter sonotube that is 4 feet deep: 0.5² × 3.14 × 4 ÷ 27 = 0.116 cubic yards per tube. Multiply by the number of tubes and add 10% waste.

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