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Calcimator

Concrete Mix Design Calculator

Design a concrete mix by specifying target strength, water-cement ratio, and cement content. Get weights for cement, water, fine and coarse aggregates per cubic yard.

Inputs

psi

ACI 318: residential 3,000–4,000 psi; structural 4,000–6,000 psi; parking/bridges 4,500+ psi

ACI 318 Table 19.3.3.1: severe exposure max 0.40 w/cm; moderate 0.45; general 0.50 max

lb/yd³

Results

Cement

564 lb/yd³

Estimated Strength

7,502 psi

Water254 lb/yd³
Fine Aggregate (Sand)1,315 lb/yd³
Coarse Aggregate1,817 lb/yd³
Yield27.23 ft³
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter target compressive strength (f'c in psi) and water-cement ratio (w/c).
  2. Set cement content (lb/yd³) and select coarse aggregate type.
  3. Review Cement, Water, and aggregate proportions per cubic yard.
  4. Use ACI 211.1 proportions as a starting point and adjust based on trial batches.

How the result changes with Cement Content

Cement ContentCementEstimated Strength
450450 lb/yd³7,502 psi
575575 lb/yd³7,502 psi
725725 lb/yd³7,502 psi
850850 lb/yd³7,502 psi

What each input means

Target Strength (f'c)
Required 28-day compressive strength. ACI 318 Table 19.2.1.1 specifies minimum f'c by exposure class. ACI 211 provides mix design procedures. Design strength = required strength + factor of safety.
Water-Cement Ratio (w/c)
Ratio of water to cement by weight per ACI 211.1. Lower w/c gives higher strength and durability. ACI 318 Table 19.3.3.1 limits maximum w/cm for exposure classes: severe exposure 0.40, moderate 0.45–0.50.
Cement Content
Weight of cement per cubic yard of concrete. Standard is 564 lb (6 bags). More cement increases strength.
Coarse Aggregate Type
Aggregate shape affects the fine-to-coarse ratio. Crushed stone needs less fine aggregate due to better interlock.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Target Strength (f'c) = 4000, Water-Cement Ratio (w/c) = 0.45, Cement Content = 564, Coarse Aggregate Type = 1 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Cement
    Cement
    564 = 564
  3. Calculate Estimated Strength
    Estimated Strength
    7502 = 7502
  4. Calculate Water
    Water
    254 = 254
  5. Calculate Fine Aggregate
    Fine Aggregate
    1315 = 1315

Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.

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