The 150 pounds per cubic foot rule
Standard stone-and-sand concrete weighs about 150 lbs per cubic foot (4,050 lbs per cubic yard). Lightweight concrete runs 90–120 lbs/ft³, heavy mixes with iron aggregates can exceed 200. Weight matters for deck footings on structures, second-floor pours, countertops on cabinets, and loading a trailer with bagged mix.
Trailer and floor loading math
One cubic yard of concrete weighs over two tons — never in a half-ton pickup. For second-floor projects, a 2-inch decorative overlay adds about 25 lbs per square foot, which most residential floors carry fine, but long spans between joists should be checked against the joist table before pouring.
Sources and standards
Where these figures come from
Every formula on this page is implemented from the published reference material below. Where a value depends on a regional code, the calculator lets you override it rather than assuming one jurisdiction.
- ASTM International — C94 for ready-mixed concrete, C150 for cement and C143 for slump testing.
- American Concrete Institute — ACI 318 code requirements and ACI 302 slab construction guidance.
- Portland Cement Association — mix design, yield and curing data published by the US cement industry.
Figures, formulas and reference tables last verified: 19 September 2026.