Cement, Sand, Aggregate, and Quote Checks

Concrete Mix Ratio Calculator

Use this concrete mix ratio calculator for 1:2:4, 1:2:3, 1:1.5:3, 1:3:6, or custom cement:sand:aggregate planning. Estimate cement bags, sand, coarse aggregate, dry-volume factor, and raw material cost before you compare bagged concrete, ready-mix, or a contractor quote.

Ratio Parts

Presets for 1:2:4, 1:2:3, 1:1.5:3, and custom parts.

Cement Bags

Converts cement volume into whole planning bags.

Shopping Check

Prices cement, sand, and aggregate before quote review.

Quick answer

For a 10 ft x 10 ft x 4 in slab with 10% waste, a 1:2:4 concrete mix calculator using a 1.54 dry-volume factor estimates about 9 cement bags, 0.60 yd3 of sand, and 1.19 yd3 of coarse aggregate. Treat this as a planning-only material estimate, not a structural mix design.

Enter Mix Ratio and Project Size

Raw Material Result

Live estimate

Wet concrete volume

1.358 yd3

10% waste included

Dry ingredient volume

56.4667 ft3

After dry-volume factor

Cement

9 bags

8.0667 ft3 planning volume

Raw material cost

$245.54

$180.81/yd3

Material order check

Cement: 9 bagsSand: 0.5975 yd3Aggregate: 1.1951 yd3

Water amount is not calculated here. Confirm water, slump, moisture, aggregate, batching, and curing with the supplier or contractor.

Save this estimate for supplier calls, then export a PDF quote check when you need a shareable record.

Mix Ratio Formula

Wet concrete volume = length x width x thickness x waste multiplier. Dry ingredient volume = wet volume x dry-volume factor. Each material gets its ratio share of the dry ingredient volume.

Cement share: 1 / 7.0

Sand share: 2 / 7.0

Aggregate share: 4 / 7.0

This page is a nominal mix-ratio shopping calculator. It is not a replacement for a tested mix design, supplier instructions, or local professional review.

Example Mix Ratio Checks

1:2:4 small slab

10 ft x 10 ft x 4 in, 10% waste, dry-volume factor 1.54.

Result: 9 cement bags / 0.5975 yd3 sand / 1.1951 yd3 aggregate

1:2:3 patio check

12 ft x 10 ft x 4 in, 10% waste, richer nominal ratio.

Result: 12 cement bags / 0.8365 yd3 sand / 1.2548 yd3 aggregate

1:3:6 lean planning row

8 ft x 8 ft x 4 in, 10% waste, lower cement share.

Result: 4 cement bags / 0.4015 yd3 sand / 0.8031 yd3 aggregate

How to Read the Result

Wet concrete volume is the formed project volume after waste.
Dry ingredient volume applies the dry-volume factor before splitting cement, sand, and aggregate.
Cement bags are rounded up because partial bags are not a safe ordering unit.
Sand and aggregate are shown as order volumes so you can compare supplier quotes.

Planning Boundary

Do not use a ratio alone to choose structural concrete.
Confirm water, slump, aggregate size, moisture, batching, and curing before mixing.
For code, permit, driveway, wall, footing, or load-bearing work, get local professional review.
Compare raw batching with bagged concrete and ready-mix before buying materials.

Mix Ratio Quote Scope Checklist

Scope	Why it matters	Ask before buying
Required strength or spec	A volume ratio is not the same as a tested mix design.	Does the supplier or contractor list PSI/MPa, cement type, aggregate size, and exposure assumptions?
Dry-volume factor	Loose dry ingredients do not match the final compacted wet volume one for one.	What dry-volume or yield assumption is being used for cement, sand, and aggregate?
Cement bag assumption	Bag size, density, and volume assumptions change the bag count.	Is the estimate based on 94 lb bags, 50 kg bags, or a local cement package?
Aggregate and sand source	Moisture, gradation, and contamination can change workability and yield.	Are sand and aggregate clean, measured by volume, and priced with delivery?
Water control	Too much water can weaken concrete even when the dry ratio looks right.	Who controls water, slump, batching sequence, and curing after placement?
Ready-mix alternative	Raw batching can look cheaper while adding labor, consistency, and liability risk.	Has the same volume been compared with bagged concrete and ready-mix delivery?

Buying Path for Site-Mixed Concrete

Use this page when the question is specifically about a 1:2:4 concrete mix calculator, a 1:2:3 concrete mix calculator, or custom cement:sand:aggregate planning. If the real decision is simply how much concrete to buy, start with the concrete volume calculator.

For a material purchase, turn this output into a checklist in the concrete material shopping list, compare bags and truck delivery in the ready-mix vs bags calculator, and review supplier or contractor assumptions in the concrete quote reviewer.

For shed-base context, read the sand and cement calculator guide and the concrete mix ratio for shed base guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a concrete mix ratio calculator do?

It converts a wet concrete volume into planning amounts for cement, sand, and coarse aggregate by volume. This page uses a dry-volume factor and a nominal cement:sand:aggregate ratio.

Is 1:2:4 concrete a structural mix design?

No. A 1:2:4 ratio is a nominal planning ratio. Structural strength depends on cement type, water, aggregate, moisture, batching, curing, placement, exposure, and local requirements.

Can I use this for a 1:2:3 concrete mix calculator?

Yes. Select the 1:2:3 preset or enter custom parts. Use the output as a shopping and quote check, then confirm the required mix with a qualified local professional or supplier.

Why is there a dry-volume factor?

Dry ingredients occupy more loose volume than the finished compacted wet concrete. The factor is a planning assumption, so replace it if your supplier or local practice uses a different number.

Should I use raw materials, bags, or ready-mix?

Raw material batching can make sense only when the mix is controlled and the user understands the risk. For many homeowners, bagged concrete or ready-mix is simpler and easier to verify.

Move to the calculator that matches your next estimating step.

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Disclaimer: This concrete mix ratio calculator estimates raw material quantities only. It does not design structural concrete, verify strength, set water content, approve code or permit requirements, or replace supplier, contractor, engineer, or local professional review.