Ready Mix Order Planner
Patio preset — 4 in thick · 10% waste · 10 yd truck typical
Delivery visualization
Total Project Cost—
Cubic Yards—
Truck Loads—
Concrete Cost—
Ready-Mix Delivery Estimator
Ready Mix Concrete Calculator
Estimate ready mix concrete quantity, truck loads, delivery requirements, and project concrete costs using accurate contractor-grade ready mix formulas.
- Ready Mix Estimation
- Contractor Friendly
- Delivery Planning
- Mobile Optimized
Delivery Planning Guide
Truck capacity
Eight-, ten-, and twelve-yard drums are common. Weight limits on route may reduce what you actually receive per ticket.
Delivery timing
Book the first truck for start-of-pour. Stagger loads so finishers keep pace—cold joints form when idle time exceeds mix set.
Cold joints
Match truck spacing to crew size. A second load sitting on the road while the first is still being screeded wastes time and money.
Waste buffer
Order quantity with waste beats a short load. One extra yard is cheaper than a emergency short-load fee on a Saturday.
| Truck Size | Best For | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|
| 8 yd | Tight sites, residential | More loads on large pours |
| 10 yd | Most residential slabs | Common default for estimates |
| 12 yd | Commercial flatwork | Confirm bridge and axle limits |
Practical Project Examples
10×10 Patio
4 in thick, 10% waste.
20×20 Garage Slab
6 in thick, double-car bay.
Large Driveway
20×40 ft, 5 in thick.
Commercial Slab
50×80 ft, 6 in thick.
Ready Mix Formulas
Cu Yd = (L × W × T) ÷ 27 × (1 + waste%)Trucks = roundup(yards ÷ capacity) · Total = yards × $/yd + delivery
This ready mix concrete yard calculator pairs with the concrete yard calculator for pure yardage and the concrete volume calculator for CF and m³. For slab-type presets with bags, see the concrete slab calculator.
Ready Mix Ordering Tips
- Call the plant with order quantity. Give cubic yards with waste, PSI, slump, and pour time—not just square footage.
- Avoid short loads. Minimum load fees can exceed the cost of one extra yard. Round trucks up, not down.
- Schedule pump or chute access before confirming truck count. Longer unload time changes spacing between loads.
- Confirm washout location with the dispatcher. Environmental rules affect where trucks can rinse.
- Line up reinforcement first. Use concrete and rebar calculator or concrete cost calculator for full bid scope beyond material.
Ready Mix FAQ
How is total project cost calculated?
Concrete cost is cubic yards times your price per yard. Total project cost adds the delivery fee you enter—labor, pump, and finishing are separate.
Why round truck loads up?
Dispatch schedules whole trucks. A 10.1-yard pour on a 10-yard drum still needs two tickets for planning and crew pacing.
Does this include short-load fees?
No. Enter delivery fee manually if your plant quotes a flat per-load charge. Short-load surcharges vary by supplier.