How many bags of concrete for a 12 inch by 4 foot Sonotube?

Construction & MaterialsConcrete Footing Volume

Sonotube Concrete Calculator

Calculate concrete volume in cubic yards and pre-mix bags (60 lb and 80 lb) needed for round cardboard Sonotube footing forms.

Construction & Materials Field StandardsConcrete Footing Volume

Engineering formulations calibrated to IPC, UPC & NEC specificationsSub-Zero Cold Climate Tolerances

Quick Summary & Key Answer

To calculate concrete for a Sonotube, multiply π × radius² × height in inches, divide by 1,728 for cubic feet, and divide by 27 for cubic yards. For example, a single 10-inch diameter Sonotube that is 48 inches deep requires 2.18 cubic feet of concrete, which equals four (4) 80-lb bags or 0.08 cubic yards.

One 80-lb bag of concrete yields 0.60 cubic feet.
One 60-lb bag yields 0.45 cubic feet.
10-inch and 12-inch tubes are standard for residential deck frost piers.

Interactive Calculator

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Sonotube Diameter

Tube Pier Height / Depthinches

inches

Number of Sonotubes

Calculated OutputCylinder Volume Verified

Total Concrete Required

0.32Cubic Yards

80-lb Concrete Bags Needed: 15 bags
60-lb Concrete Bags Needed: 20 bags
Total Volume in Cubic Feet: 8.73 cu ft
Concrete per Single Tube: 2.18 cu ft (0.08 yd³)

Note: In frost-heave climates, footing base must extend below the local frost line (often 42" to 120" in northern states).

Frost Line Sizing Requirements

Piers must bear on undisturbed soil beneath the regional frost penetration depth to prevent building heave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions regarding this calculation and code compliance

A 12-inch tube at 4 feet (48") requires 3.14 cubic feet of concrete, which equals six (6) 80-lb bags.