How to Calculate Concrete Weight
When disposing of old concrete, it’s important to get the right size dumpster for safe hauling. Use our weight calculator to determine the best size for this project.
- Multiply the length by the width to calculate the square footage of concrete.
- Keep in mind that concrete is typically poured to be 3-4 inches thick.
Note that this calculator does not account for rebar and gravel that may be part of your project. To get a more specific recommendation, including the number of containers you’ll need, give us a call at 844-282-4253.
How Much Does Concrete Weigh?
The weight of concrete is calculated based on the length, width and thickness of the slab.
Remember: A cubic foot or yard of concrete weighs less once it’s broken up due to the empty spaces between the pieces.
Concrete Weight per Cubic Foot
• A solid slab of concrete weighs 150 pounds per cubic foot.
• A cubic foot of broken concrete weighs 75 pounds.
Concrete Weight per Cubic Yard
• A solid slab of concrete weighs 4,050 pounds per cubic yard.
• A cubic yard of broken up concrete weighs 2,025 pounds.
How Much Concrete Can Fit in a Dumpster?
In most locations, you can load up to 10 tons (20,000 pounds) of concrete into one of our concrete disposal dumpsters.* Since just one cubic yard adds up to over 4,000 pounds, we recommend calculating the weight of your concrete before you rent a dumpster.
Concrete generally cannot be hauled in containers larger than 20 yards. Most areas place a legal limit for how much weight can be safely transported on the road. If you have a lot to get rid of, rent more than one dumpster to avoid overage fees and ensure the debris can be hauled safely.
Keep in Mind: Heavy debris cannot be collected through curbside pickup or in front load containers.
*Weight limits can vary by location.
How We Streamline Concrete Removal
Expert Advice
To help you avoid going over the 10-ton weight limit, we may recommend only filling your container half-way.
Careful Placement
We use cutting-edge mapping software to identify the most convenient place for your dumpster for efficient loading.
Simple Scheduling
Let us know your project timeline to easily coordinate dumpster service with your other equipment rentals.
Concrete Weight FAQS
How many yards of concrete are in a driveway?
To determine the yardage of concrete in your driveway, first multiply the total length by the width of your driveway to find the square footage. Then multiply that by the estimated depth of the concrete. Use our concrete calculator to enter the square footage and thickness to estimate the weight of concrete you’ll be tossing.
How much does a yard of concrete weigh?
One cubic yard of concrete typically weighs one ton, or 2,000 pounds. Keep in mind that a cubic yard of broken up concrete will weigh less than a solid slab due to the empty spaces between the pieces.
How much does 20 yards of concrete weigh?
If each cubic yard of concrete weighs one ton on average, 20 yards of concrete would equal 20 tons, or approximately 40,000 pounds. In order to avoid overage fees, we recommend renting more than one dumpster to ensure this much concrete can be safely hauled away according to the legal limit. Our team will help you rent the right dumpster size and quantity for your project when you call.
What is the difference between concrete and cement?
Sometimes concrete and cement are used interchangeably, but cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of sand, gravel or crushed stone with cement and water as the paste. Cement can be used alone for smaller jobs like grouting or to repair cracked concrete.
How do you calculate the weight of concrete?
To find the weight of your concrete debris, first calculate the square footage of the material by multiplying the length by the width. Then determine how thick the concrete is in inches. Plug those numbers into our concrete weight calculator to easily estimate the weight of your debris so that we can recommend which dumpster size will work best.
More Concrete Disposal Resources
Use these helpful resources to guide your concrete removal project and learn more about the dumpster rental process.
Project Tips:
Dumpster Rental Guides: