How to Calculate How Much Quikrete You Need
So, how do you calculate how much Quikrete you actually need? Quikrete is a brand of reliable concrete mix used to build or repair something made out of concrete. This can include sidewalks, curbs, patios, pools, and driveways. Quikrete concrete mix is a uniform, proportioned mixture of sand, gravel, stone, Portland cement (the most common type of cement used in concrete) and other ingredients approved for such a mixture. The concrete mix comes in three bag sizes, including 40 pounds, 60 pounds, and 80 pounds (i.e., 18.1 kilograms, 27.2 kilograms, and 36.2 kilograms).
It’s really quite simple. First you need to know how many cubic feet need to be covered and/or filled with concrete. With a tape measure, measure the length, width, and height of the area. Make sure you convert all numbers into feet using decimals. You’ll need a uniform unit of measurement. Then, multiply the three numbers together and you’ll get the number of cubic feet!
A 40 lb. bag of Quikrete yields approximately .30 cubic feet. A 60 lb. bag yields about .45 cubic feet. An 80 lb. bag yields approximately .60 cubic feet.
Here’s an example. If you need to fill an area with cement that has a length of 2 feet, a width of 1 foot, and a height of 1 foot and 2 inches (2.34 cubic feet), it would be best to purchase four 80 lb. bags of Quikrete.
Another way to calculate the amount of Quikrete you will need is to use Decks.com’s online quantity calculator. All you need are the measurements and you can fill them into the form, hit the calculate button, and it will do it all for you. It also includes forms that are especially helpful for when you have oddly-shaped or circular areas to fill with concrete.
Keep in mind that these measurements don’t account for uneven foundation or waste, which could affect the amounts of concrete mix you would need. It’s always better to have more than enough mix, rather than too little.
