Sonotube calculator
You need
– cubic yards
– cu ft · – m³ · sq ft
- Ready-mix concrete ($160–$195/yd)
- –
- Installed by a contractor
- –
Short answer
Volume of a round column = π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × height. A 12-inch tube 4 feet tall holds 3.14 cubic feet: about 6 bags of 80 lb mix. Each foot of a 12-inch tube takes 0.79 cubic feet.
| 12 in × 4 ft tube | 3.14 cu ft · 6 × 80 lb bags |
|---|---|
| Formula | π × r² × height |
| 80 lb bag yield | 0.60 cu ft[1] |
| Tube diameter | Cu ft per ft | Cu yd per ft | 80 lb bags per ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 0.20 | 0.007 | 1 |
| 8 in | 0.35 | 0.013 | 1 |
| 10 in | 0.55 | 0.020 | 1 |
| 12 in | 0.79 | 0.029 | 2 |
| 14 in | 1.07 | 0.040 | 2 |
| 16 in | 1.40 | 0.052 | 3 |
| 18 in | 1.77 | 0.065 | 3 |
| 24 in | 3.14 | 0.116 | 6 |
Building piers
For deck and porch piers, the footing below the tube and the pier depth are set by your local code. Use the Footing calculator for a spread footing and add it to the tube volume.
Other concrete calculators
Get free quotes from licensed contractors
Free · No obligation · Licensed contractors only
Step 1 of 3
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of concrete for a 10-inch Sonotube?
+
Each foot of a 10-inch tube holds 0.55 cu ft. A 4-foot tube needs 4 bags of 80 lb mix.
How deep should a deck pier go?
+
Below your local frost line. QUIKRETE recommends structural post holes extend at least 6 inches below the frost line. Your building department sets the required depth.
Sources
- [1]QUIKRETE, Concrete Mix No. 1101 data sheet (bag yields) (current data sheet)
- [2]QUIKRETE, Project: Setting Posts (project sheet, checked October 5, 2026)
- [3]ConcreteNetwork.com, Concrete Prices (updated July 14, 2026)
Prices are national ranges published by the sources above, not quotes. Your price depends on size, access, site preparation and local labor rates. The only way to know is to compare written quotes.