How Much Does a Yard of Concrete Weigh?

A cubic yard of normal-weight concrete weighs about 4,050 pounds — roughly 2 tons. The number comes straight from concrete's density: about 150 pounds per cubic foot, multiplied by the 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (150 × 27 = 4,050 lb). That's for standard concrete; lightweight and heavyweight mixes differ, but 150 lb/ft³ is the planning figure nearly everyone uses.

Quick weight reference

Why the weight matters

It's not trivia — the weight drives three practical decisions. First, the subgrade and forms have to carry it; soft or unprepared ground settles under two tons per yard, which is why a compacted base matters. Second, hauling: a half-yard of bagged concrete is already over 2,000 lb, more than many pickups should carry, so don't plan to move a yard of bags in one trip. Third, labor: a single yard is about forty-five 80-lb bags to lift, open and mix, which is the real argument for ready-mix on anything but small pours.

Weight per square foot

For floor-loading questions, it's easier to think per square foot of slab. At 4 inches thick, concrete weighs about 50 lb per square foot; at 6 inches, about 75 lb. So a 20 × 20 ft, 4-inch slab weighs roughly 20,000 lb — useful to know before pouring over a deck, a basement, or anything that has to support it.

Cured weight vs delivered weight

Concrete doesn't lose meaningful weight as it cures — the mix water becomes chemically bound into the hardened material rather than evaporating away, so a yard weighs about the same wet and set. (That's also why curing needs moisture, not drying.) Every calculator on the site shows the estimated weight of your specific pour next to the volume, so you can check haul limits before you order.