A practical reference for normalweight concrete
ACI's concrete terminology describes normalweight concrete as having an approximate density of 150 lb/ft³ (about 2,400 kg/m³). A cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet, so the customary-unit estimate is 27 × 150 = 4,050 lb, or just over two US short tons.
Converted to metric units, that rounded reference is about 1.84 tonnes per cubic yard. The metric density and customary density are both approximate published values, so the converted figures will not agree to every kilogram.
Why the actual weight can be different
The word concrete covers mixes made with different aggregates and proportions. Density can differ with the materials, air content, and moisture condition. Lightweight and heavyweight concrete are specifically different from the normalweight reference used in the calculation above.
If a shipment, lifting plan, vehicle, or structure has a weight limit, do not rely on a generic online estimate. Use the supplier's submittal or measured density for the actual mix and the project's responsible professional's direction.
Calculate from the volume you actually need
For a different volume, multiply volume by the density appropriate to that mix. Keep the units consistent: cubic feet with pounds per cubic foot, or cubic metres with kilograms per cubic metre. The concrete calculator can establish a geometric volume, but it does not assume a density or present the result as a certified load weight.
A cubic yard is an exact length conversion cubed, while the density above is only approximate. NIST lists the yard as exactly 0.9144 metres; a cubic yard is therefore about 0.7646 cubic metres.
Sources and further reading
- ACI Concrete Terminology (ACI CT-25) ↗Defines normalweight concrete using an approximate density of 150 lb/ft³ (2,400 kg/m³).
- NIST: SI Units – Length ↗Lists the yard as exactly 0.9144 metres.
This article is general quantity-planning information. Confirm product requirements, project specifications, and local rules with the appropriate supplier or qualified professional.