Home›Calculators›Construction›Concrete Estimator - Tube

Concrete Estimator - Tube

Construction

Estimate the cost of concrete to fill cylindrical tube forms like sonotubes. Enter diameter, height, quantity, and price per cubic yard for an instant budget.

Reviewed by the thecalcu.com team · Last updated July 5, 2026

448
0.520
1
$50$400

Estimated Cost

$17
Concrete Needed
0.116

This calculator computes your Estimated Cost, Concrete Needed from the values you enter.

Inputs
Tube DiameterTube HeightNumber of TubesCost per Cubic Yard
Outputs
Estimated CostConcrete Needed

What is a Tube Estimator?

The Concrete Estimator - Tube calculates the estimated cost of filling cylindrical tube forms, like sonotubes, with ready-mix concrete, based on the tube's diameter, height, how many you're pouring, and your local price per cubic yard. Rather than working out cylinder volume by hand and then separately pricing it against a supplier quote, this tool combines both steps into a single dollar figure you can use for budgeting.

Tube-formed footings are a standard part of deck, fence, porch, and pergola construction in the US, typically used to support posts below the frost line. This tool shares its underlying volume math with the Concrete Column Calculator but is built specifically for cost planning, pair it with the Concrete Calculator if your project also includes a slab, and the DIY Shed Cost Calculator for a broader project budget.

Why Use a Concrete Tube Estimator?

Most homeowners and small contractors plan a footing project around a budget, not just a volume, knowing you need "0.3 cubic yards" doesn't tell you what to expect on the invoice. This calculator converts tube dimensions directly into an estimated dollar cost, using a price-per-cubic-yard figure you control, so you can compare scenarios like "what if I use 10 in tubes instead of 12 in" in terms of actual project cost rather than abstract volume.

It's particularly useful for planning a row of identical footings, such as deck post supports spaced evenly around a perimeter, the Quantity input rolls all of them into one combined cost estimate. If your local ready-mix price differs from the $150/yd³ default, update the Cost per Cubic Yard input to match your supplier's current quote for a realistic number.

Who Should Use This Calculator?

  • DIY homeowners planning deck, fence, or pergola post footings who want a dollar budget before ordering materials.
  • Small contractors quoting footing work for residential decks and outbuildings.
  • Landscape and hardscape professionals estimating tube-footing costs as part of a larger structure build.
  • Property managers budgeting repair or replacement of deteriorated post footings.
  • DIY project planners comparing tube diameter or depth options against total project cost before finalizing a design.

What Insights Does the Concrete Tube Estimator Give You?

The calculator returns two key figures:

  • Estimated Cost (highlighted result), the total dollar cost of the concrete needed to fill all specified tubes, based on your entered price per cubic yard. This is your working budget number for materials, though it excludes delivery fees, forms, rebar, and labor.
  • Concrete Needed (Cubic Yards), the underlying volume figure, useful for confirming the estimate against a supplier's minimum order quantity or comparing to a bagged-concrete alternative for very small pours.

Together, these numbers let you quickly answer both "how much will this cost" and "how much material is that," which matters when deciding between a ready-mix delivery and hand-mixed bagged concrete for smaller footing jobs.

How to use this Tube Estimator calculator

  1. Enter the Diameter of your tube form in inches (common sizes: 8, 10, 12, 16 in).
  2. Enter the Height of the tube in feet, matching your footing depth.
  3. Set the Quantity of identical tubes you're filling, from 1 to 100.
  4. Enter your local Cost per Cubic Yard, check with a nearby ready-mix supplier for current pricing if the $150 default doesn't match your area.
  5. Read the Estimated Cost result for your working materials budget, and check Cubic Yards to compare against supplier minimum order requirements.
Show formula & methodology ↓Show less ↑

Formula & Methodology

Radius (ft) = diameter (in) ÷ 24

Volume per tube (ft³) = π × radius² × height

Total volume (ft³) = volume per tube × quantity

Cubic yards = total volume (ft³) ÷ 27

Estimated cost = cubic yards × cost per cubic yard

Worked example: For a single 12 in diameter, 4 ft tall tube at $150/yd³:
- Radius = 12 ÷ 24 = 0.5 ft
- Volume per tube = π × 0.5² × 4 = π × 0.25 × 4 ≈ 3.14 ft³
- Cubic yards = 3.14 ÷ 27 ≈ 0.116 yd³
- Estimated cost = 0.116 × $150 ≈ $17.40

For six identical footings of the same size, the total cost estimate scales to roughly 6 × $17.40 ≈ $104 in raw concrete, a useful budget figure before accounting for delivery minimums or short-load surcharges that many suppliers apply to orders under 1-2 cubic yards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fill a 12 in sonotube with concrete?
For a single 12 in diameter, 4 ft tall tube at $150 per cubic yard, the estimated cost is approximately $17. Enter your exact tube diameter, height, quantity, and local price per cubic yard into the Concrete Estimator - Tube for a figure tailored to your project and region.
What is a sonotube used for?
A sonotube is a cylindrical cardboard concrete form used to pour round footings, piers, and columns, most commonly for deck posts, fence posts, and porch supports. The tube is set into a dug hole or braced above grade, filled with concrete, and typically peeled or torn away once the concrete cures.
How does the Concrete Estimator - Tube calculate cost?
The calculator first finds the concrete volume using the cylinder formula (π × radius² × height) for your tube diameter and height, multiplies by quantity if you're pouring multiple tubes, and converts the total to cubic yards. It then multiplies that volume by your entered cost per cubic yard to produce an estimated total dollar cost.
What is a typical price per cubic yard of concrete in the US?
Ready-mix concrete typically costs between $125 and $200 per cubic yard in the US as of recent pricing, though costs vary by region, delivery minimums, and mix strength. The calculator defaults to $150 per cubic yard as a reasonable national average, but you should confirm current pricing with a local supplier for an accurate budget.
How many footings can I estimate at once?
The calculator supports a Quantity input from 1 to 100 identical tube footings, letting you get one combined cost estimate for an entire row of deck or fence posts. If your footings vary in diameter or depth, run separate calculations for each size and add the resulting costs together.
What is the difference between this tool and the Concrete Column Calculator?
The [Concrete Column Calculator](/concrete-column-calculator/) uses the same cylinder volume math but reports only the concrete volume needed, with no cost component. This tool adds a Cost per Cubic Yard input specifically to give you a dollar-based budget estimate for planning purposes.
Does the cost estimate include delivery fees or the tube forms themselves?
No, the estimated cost reflects only the raw concrete material based on your entered price per cubic yard. It does not include delivery minimums, short-load fees, sonotube form purchases, rebar, or labor, factor those in separately for a complete project budget.
How do I use the Concrete Estimator - Tube?
Enter the tube's Diameter in inches and Height in feet, set the Quantity of tubes you're filling, and enter your local Cost per Cubic Yard. The calculator instantly shows the Estimated Cost along with the total concrete volume in cubic yards.
Should I add extra budget beyond the calculated cost?
Yes, it's wise to budget 10-15% above the calculated estimate to cover delivery minimums (many suppliers charge extra for orders under 1-3 cubic yards), short-load fees, and minor volume overruns from uneven excavation. Small tube-footing orders are especially prone to minimum-order surcharges since the total volume is often below a full truck load.
What tube diameters are commonly available for concrete footings?
Standard sonotube sizes typically run 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, and 24 in in diameter, with 8-12 in being the most common range for deck and fence post footings. Enter the nominal diameter of the tube form you plan to purchase for the most accurate cost estimate.
Can I use this calculator for footings dug without a tube form?
Yes, as long as the hole is roughly cylindrical, you can enter the effective diameter of the excavated hole instead of a manufactured tube size. Keep in mind that unformed holes in loose soil often require more concrete than the theoretical volume due to irregular hole shape, so consider adding extra wastage budget.
Also known as
sonotube cost calculatorconcrete tube cost estimatorfooting concrete cost calculatorcylindrical form concrete costconcrete pier cost estimator