Concrete column volume depends on diameter and height: a 12-inch column 10 feet tall needs about 7.9 cubic feet, or 18 bags of 60-pound mix, while a 24-inch column the same height needs about 31.4 cubic feet, or 70 bags — roughly 1.2 cubic yards of ready-mix.
A 60-pound bag of concrete yields about 0.45 cubic feet once mixed, and bags typically cost $5 to $8 each. Enter your column diameter, height, and count below to get volume, bag totals, and a materials cost you can edit.
Concrete for round columns & Sonotubes
Your concrete quantity
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Volume per column | - |
| Total volume | - |
| Cubic yards total | - |
| 60 lb bags | - |
| 80 lb bags | - |
| Estimated bag cost | - |
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Concrete volume and bags per column
The table below shows volume and 60-pound bag counts for a single column 10 feet tall. Once a column passes roughly one cubic yard, ready-mix delivery usually beats hauling dozens of bags.
| Column diameter | Volume (10 ft tall) | 60-lb bags |
|---|---|---|
| 12 inches | 7.9 cu ft | 18 |
| 16 inches | 14.0 cu ft | 32 |
| 24 inches | 31.4 cu ft | 70 |
At $5 to $8 per bag, a 12-inch column runs about $90 to $144 in mix, a 16-inch column $160 to $256, and a 24-inch column $350 to $560. The 24-inch column is roughly 1.2 cubic yards, where ready-mix delivery becomes the cheaper and faster option.
What affects the price
- Diameter and height: volume grows with the square of the diameter, so a 24-inch column uses nearly four times the concrete of a 12-inch column.
- Column count: multiply the per-column total by the number of columns; a row of six columns scales the materials cost accordingly.
- Bag price: local bag prices of $5 to $8 shift the total, and bulk or pallet pricing can lower the per-bag cost.
- Reinforcement and forms: rebar, ties, and formwork or Sonotube forms add cost beyond the concrete itself.
What the estimate includes and does not include
The calculator covers concrete volume and mix bags only, with an editable bag price. It does not include rebar, ties, formwork or Sonotubes, footing concrete, delivery, labor, or equipment rental.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use ready-mix instead of bags?
Switch to ready-mix above about one cubic yard of concrete, roughly 27 cubic feet. A single 24-inch, 10-foot column already sits near that line, so multiple large columns almost always justify a truck.
Does a concrete column need rebar?
Yes, structural columns usually need vertical reinforcement, commonly four bars with lateral ties. Non-structural decorative columns may skip it, but any load-bearing column should follow an engineer’s or local code details.
What footing size does a column need?
A footing is typically about twice the column diameter and one column width thick, placed below the frost line. Footing volume is extra and is not counted in the column volume above.
What concrete strength should I use?
Most columns use 3,000 to 4,000 psi concrete. Higher loads or exposed conditions may call for 4,000 psi or more, so confirm the mix design with your plans or local code.
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How this estimate was prepared
- Prepared by
- GoHomeCost Cost Data Team
- Last reviewed
- August 24, 2026
- Update cycle
- Public price inputs checked monthly
Calculation method: Project quantity is multiplied by editable low, typical, and high unit rates. Selected location adjustments, waste, fixed charges, and minimum-job rules are then applied and shown in the result.
Public references used on this page:
This is a planning estimate, not a quote or structural specification. Check product yields, local code, site conditions, and written contractor bids before purchasing materials or building.
Read the full methodology Report a price or calculation issue