Conceptual Tool

Concrete Calculator

Pick the element type — slab, foundation or shear wall — and the area; see a rough required concrete volume (m³) based on a common reference thickness, plus an order suggestion with a 5% waste allowance.

Concrete Element
Area — 50
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Required Concrete Volume

Order Suggestion (+5% Waste)

We typically respond within 24 hours.

Let's determine your actual concrete class and volume together based on your structural calculation and soil survey

This is a rough illustration using a common reference thickness for the selected element type; the actual thickness and concrete class (C25, C30, etc.) are determined by the engineer based on your structural calculation and soil survey.

Volume & Order

How is concrete volume calculated?

Concrete volume is simply the area of the element to be poured multiplied by its thickness (Volume = Area × Thickness). On a real site, though, losses from transport, pumping and surface irregularities mean orders are usually placed with an extra 5-10% waste allowance on top of the calculated volume.

The tool above shows a rough concrete volume based on the common thickness for your selected element type and the area you enter, plus an order suggestion with a 5% waste allowance added on top.

Typical thickness by element type

Slabs (reinforced concrete floor plates between stories) are usually poured at 12-15 cm; raft/foundation concrete can reach 30 cm or more depending on soil bearing capacity and building load; shear/reinforced concrete walls are commonly 20-25 cm thick.

This tool uses a common reference thickness for each element type — your project's structural calculation and soil survey results may call for a different thickness.

Why a waste allowance is added

Formwork leakage, ground irregularities, residue left in the pump/mixer, and transport losses mean real consumption ends up somewhat above the calculated net volume. Common site practice is to add 5-10% on top of the calculated volume; this tool uses 5%.

Let's determine your actual concrete class and volume together based on your project's structural calculation and soil survey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is concrete volume calculated?

Simple formula: Volume (m³) = Area (m²) × Thickness (m). For example, a 50 m² slab poured at 15 cm (0.15 m) thickness needs 50 × 0.15 = 7.5 m³.

Why is a waste allowance added to a concrete order?

Formwork leakage, ground irregularities, pump/mixer residue and transport losses mean real consumption ends up above the calculated net volume; common site practice is to add 5-10% on top.

What are typical thicknesses for a slab, foundation and shear wall?

Slabs are usually 12-15 cm, raft/foundation concrete is 30 cm or more depending on soil, and shear/reinforced concrete walls are commonly 20-25 cm. The exact value depends on your project's structural calculation.

Does this tool also calculate the concrete class (C25, C30, etc.)?

No. The tool only calculates volume (m³); concrete class/strength is a separate technical decision made by the engineer based on the soil survey and structural project.