Concrete Column Calculator
Estimate concrete for round columns, piers, and Sonotube-style tube forms. Enter the diameter, height, and number of columns to get yards, bags, and cost.
Results
- Concrete needed
- 0.12 cu yd
- With 10% waste
- 0.13 cu yd
- Cubic feet
- 3.14 cu ft
- Cubic meters
- 0.09 m³
- 80 lb bags
- 6 bags
- 60 lb bags
- 8 bags
- 40 lb bags
- 12 bags
Estimates only. Round up and buy a little extra to account for waste, spills, and breakage.
Pouring round columns, piers, or Sonotube-style tube forms? This column calculator gives the concrete volume per column and the total in cubic yards and bags.
Enter the form diameter, the finished height, and how many columns you are pouring. Add a waste factor since round forms are easy to overfill.
Also works as a Sonotube calculator, round column concrete calculator, and concrete pier/tube form estimator.
How to use the concrete column calculator
- Enter the column diameter in in.
- Enter the column height in ft.
- Enter the number of columns.
- Enter the waste factor in %.
- Optionally add a price to estimate the total project cost.
- Read your quantities instantly — no sign-up, and you can print the estimate to take to the supplier.
Worked example
Inputs
- Column diameter
- 12 in
- Column height
- 4 ft
- Number of columns
- 1
- Waste factor
- 10 %
Results
- Concrete needed
- 0.12 cu yd
- With 10% waste
- 0.13 cu yd
- Cubic feet
- 3.14 cu ft
- Cubic meters
- 0.09 m³
- 80 lb bags
- 6 bags
- 60 lb bags
- 8 bags
- 40 lb bags
- 12 bags
Using the example values above, the concrete column calculator returns 0.12 cu yd (concrete needed). Change any field to match your own project and the numbers update instantly.
How much concrete does a tube form hold?
An 8-inch tube holds about 0.35 cubic feet per foot of height, a 10-inch about 0.55, and a 12-inch about 0.79. Multiply by the height and the number of columns to get your total.
For deck and porch piers, pour footings and columns in one continuous lift where possible to avoid a weak cold joint at the base.
How much extra should I order?
Always order a little extra. A 5% waste factor suits simple, square projects; 10% is right for most jobs; bump it to 15–20% for irregular shapes, diagonal patterns, or uneven ground. Running short almost always costs more than the leftover material.
Concrete bag yields
| Bag size | Yield (cu ft) | Bags per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 0.30 | 90 |
| 50 lb | 0.375 | 72 |
| 60 lb | 0.45 | 60 |
| 80 lb | 0.60 | 45 |
Formula
Volume per column (cu ft) = π × (diameter/2)² × height (in feet), × quantity. Cubic yards = cu ft ÷ 27. Add waste %.
Frequently asked questions
- How much concrete does a Sonotube hold?
- A 12-inch tube form holds about 0.79 cubic feet per foot of height, so a 4 ft column needs roughly 3.1 cubic feet, or about 6 bags of 80 lb mix.
- How do I calculate concrete for a round column?
- Square the radius in feet, multiply by π and the height in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- How many bags of concrete for a Sonotube?
- A 12-inch tube 4 ft tall needs about 3.1 cubic feet — roughly 6 bags of 80 lb mix. Larger diameters climb fast, so check the per-column result above.
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