How Much Does 1 Cubic Metre of Concrete Weigh? (Dry, Wet & Reinforced)

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How Much Does 1m³ of Concrete Weigh?

On average, 1 cubic metre of standard concrete weighs around 2,400 kilograms (or 2.4 tonnes). This can vary slightly depending on the mix design, moisture content, and whether the concrete includes reinforcement like steel mesh or rebar.

Knowing the weight of concrete per m³ is essential when planning deliveries, calculating loads on structural elements, or working out how much your concrete slab will weigh overall. This guide breaks it down by type, shows how to estimate based on your project, and explains the differences between wet, dry, reinforced, and lightweight mixes.

Typical Concrete Weights Per Cubic Metre

Concrete Type Weight (kg/m³) Notes
Standard concrete (C25) 2,400 kg Most common mix for slabs, driveways, foundations
Wet/ready-mix concrete 2,350 – 2,500 kg Includes water weight — slightly heavier until cured
Reinforced concrete 2,500 – 2,700 kg Includes weight of steel mesh or rebar
Lightweight concrete 1,600 – 2,000 kg Uses lightweight aggregates (e.g. Lytag, expanded clay)
Liquid screed 1,800 – 2,000 kg Flows thinner, lower aggregate content than full concrete

Why Knowing the Weight of Concrete Matters

  • ✔ Concrete Delivery and Access

    Knowing how much your pour weighs helps ensure trucks or pumps can handle the load safely — especially on soft ground or domestic access routes.
  • ✔ Structural Load Calculations

    Engineers and designers need to account for the self-weight of slabs, beams, or floor loads in structural plans — concrete is heavy and adds up quickly.
  • ✔ Slab Removal or Breakout

    If you're replacing or disposing of a slab, knowing its weight can help price skips, plan dig-outs, or prevent overloading waste containers.
  • ✔ Reinforcement and Foundation Matching

    If you're adding a heavy slab on top of existing groundwork, you’ll need to check if the base can take the load without shifting or sinking.

✔ How to Estimate the Weight of a Concrete Slab

  1. 1

    Measure the Area of Your Slab

    Start by measuring the length and width of the slab in metres. Multiply these together to get the surface area in square metres (m²). For example, a 4m × 3m slab = 12 m².

  2. 2

    Convert Depth to Metres and Multiply

    Take your slab depth in millimetres (e.g. 100mm) and convert it to metres (0.1m). Multiply the area by the depth to get total volume in cubic metres. So 12 m² × 0.1m = 1.2 m³ of concrete.

  3. 3

    Multiply by Average Weight per m³

    Use 2,400 kg as the standard weight of concrete per m³. Multiply your volume by this to get the total weight. In the example: 1.2 m³ × 2,400 kg = 2,880 kg (or 2.88 tonnes).

  4. 4

    Add Weight for Reinforcement if Needed

    If your slab includes mesh or rebar, add around 100–300 kg per m³ depending on the reinforcement layout. It’s best to round up slightly if you’re planning transport or calculating loading on foundations.

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