Ready-Mix Concrete Required
0 m³
Including wastage allowance
Calculate Concrete Volume for Your Project
Professional Ready-Mix Concrete Calculator UK
Our ready-mix volume calculator helps you accurately determine the quantity of ready-mixed concrete required for slabs, foundations, driveways, footings, columns, and all construction projects. Calculate volumes for multiple shapes, add them together, and get instant results in cubic meters (m³) - the standard ordering unit for UK concrete suppliers.
Ready-mix concrete is ordered in cubic meters with minimum quantities typically starting at 1m³. Our calculator accounts for industry-standard practices including recommended wastage allowances and helps prevent costly over-ordering or project delays from material shortages. Compatible with specifications from Holcim, Hanson, CEMEX, and all major UK concrete suppliers.
Calculate concrete volume for any project shape
Ready-mixed concrete is supplied and ordered in cubic meters (m³) throughout the UK. Understanding volume calculations ensures you order the correct quantity, avoid waste, and prevent costly delays from running short during pours.
Volume measurement: 1m³ = space measuring 1m × 1m × 1m
Weight: 1m³ of concrete weighs approximately 2.4 tonnes
Coverage: 1m³ covers 10m² at 100mm depth
Typical uses: Foundations, slabs, driveways, footings
Standard trucks: 6-8m³ capacity typical
Minimum delivery: Most suppliers require 1m³ minimum
Volumetric trucks: Mix on-site, no minimum sometimes
Small loads: Minimix services for under 1m³
Working time: 1-2 hours before concrete starts setting
Discharge rate: Approximately 1m³ every 2-3 minutes
Planning: Have workforce ready before delivery
Weather: Hot weather reduces working time significantly
Small loads: £100-150 per m³ (under 4m³)
Standard loads: £80-120 per m³ (4-8m³)
Large orders: £70-100 per m³ (over 8m³)
Additional charges: Waiting time, pump hire, Saturday delivery
Different construction applications require varying concrete volumes. Use these standard calculations as quick reference guides for common projects, then verify with our calculator for precise ordering quantities.
| Application | Typical Dimensions | Depth/Thickness | Volume Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Garage Base | 3m × 6m (18m²) | 100mm | 1.8 m³ (order 2m³) |
| Double Garage Base | 6m × 6m (36m²) | 100-125mm | 3.6-4.5 m³ (order 4-5m³) |
| Garden Shed Base | 2.5m × 2m (5m²) | 75-100mm | 0.4-0.5 m³ (minimix) |
| Residential Driveway | 3m × 10m (30m²) | 100-150mm | 3-4.5 m³ (order 4-5m³) |
| Patio Slab | 4m × 5m (20m²) | 100mm | 2 m³ (order 2.5m³) |
| Strip Footings (House) | 40m × 600mm × 450mm | N/A (trench) | 10.8 m³ (order 12m³) |
| Pad Foundation (single) | 1m × 1m × 0.6m deep | N/A | 0.6 m³ per pad |
| Concrete Post (100mm dia) | 100mm diameter × 0.6m deep | N/A | 0.005 m³ per post |
| Retaining Wall | 5m × 1.2m high × 200mm thick | N/A | 1.2 m³ (order 1.5m³) |
| Garden Steps (10 steps) | 1m wide × 10 steps | Varies | 0.8-1.2 m³ (order 1.5m³) |
Master these essential formulas for calculating ready-mix concrete volumes. Our calculator applies these formulas automatically, but understanding the mathematics helps verify results and plan projects accurately.
📐 Essential Volume Formulas:
Application: Single garage base
Length: 6 meters
Width: 3 meters
Depth: 100mm (0.1 meters)
Wastage: 10%
Formula: L × W × D
Calculation: 6 × 3 × 0.1
Base volume: 1.8 m³
Coverage: 18 m² at 100mm depth
Base volume: 1.8 m³
Wastage factor: 1.8 × 1.10
With wastage: 1.98 m³
Order quantity: Round to 2 m³
Minimum order: 2 m³ (meets typical 1m³ minimum)
Concrete grade: C25/30 (GEN 3) suitable
Estimated cost: £200-300 (£100-150/m³)
Delivery: Standard truck acceptable
Adding appropriate wastage allowance prevents running short during concrete pours. Wastage accounts for spillage, uneven ground levels, formwork irregularities, and measurement inaccuracies.
| Project Type | Recommended Wastage | Reason | Example Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precise Formwork (shuttered) | 5% | Accurate measurements, controlled environment | 2m³ base = 2.1m³ order |
| Standard Slabs & Bases | 7.5-10% | Normal construction tolerances | 3m³ base = 3.3m³ order |
| Uneven Ground/Trenches | 10-15% | Ground level variations, trench irregularities | 5m³ base = 5.75m³ order |
| Complex Shapes | 10-12% | Multiple angles, curved elements | 4m³ base = 4.48m³ order |
| First-Time DIY Projects | 12-15% | Inexperience, measurement errors | 2m³ base = 2.3m³ order |
| Pump Delivery | +0.5m³ | Priming pump hose (50-100mm bore) | Add 0.5m³ to total |
⚠️ Critical: Never Under-Order Concrete
UK concrete is specified using European standard EN 206 with grades indicated as C[compressive strength]/[cylinder strength]. Choose appropriate grades based on application structural requirements and Building Regulations compliance.
Strength: 15 N/mm² (cube), 20 N/mm² (cylinder)
Uses: Blinding, kerb bedding, mass fill
Not for: Structural applications
Typical cost: £70-90 per m³
Strength: 20 N/mm² (cube), 25 N/mm² (cylinder)
Uses: Paths, light domestic slabs, internal floors
Applications: Garden sheds, lightweight structures
Typical cost: £80-100 per m³
Strength: 25 N/mm² (cube), 30 N/mm² (cylinder)
Uses: Domestic foundations, garage bases, driveways
Standard: Residential construction default
Typical cost: £90-110 per m³
Strength: 30 N/mm² (cube), 37 N/mm² (cylinder)
Uses: Commercial foundations, reinforced elements
Applications: Suspended slabs, beams, columns
Typical cost: £95-115 per m³
Strength: 35 N/mm² (cube), 45 N/mm² (cylinder)
Uses: Heavy-duty commercial, agricultural
Applications: High-load slabs, heavy vehicles
Typical cost: £100-120 per m³
Strength: 40 N/mm² (cube), 50 N/mm² (cylinder)
Uses: Specialist structural applications
Applications: Multi-storey car parks, industrial
Typical cost: £105-130 per m³
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