Calculator Settings & Preferences

Use the quick toggle at the top of the Settings page to switch between Imperial and Metric units instantly. Click "Imperial" for feet, inches, yards, and pounds, or "Metric" for metres, centimetres, and kilograms. The calculator will automatically convert all inputs and outputs to your selected system. Settings are saved to your browser, so your preference persists across sessions. This is particularly useful for UK builders working with both traditional and modern measurement systems.

The calculator supports five major currencies: British Pound (£) - default for UK users, US Dollar ($), Euro (€), Canadian Dollar (C$), and Australian Dollar (A$). Select your preferred currency from the Settings page dropdown. All cost calculations and PDF reports will display in your chosen currency. Note: Currency selection only changes the symbol; you'll need to input local concrete prices for accurate cost estimates. The calculator is optimised for UK pricing but works globally with appropriate price adjustments.

Navigate to Settings and find the "Concrete Density" field. Default is 150 lbs/cu.ft (2,400 kg/m³) for standard concrete. For lightweight concrete, use 110-120 lbs/cu.ft; for reinforced concrete, use 150 lbs/cu.ft (standard); and for heavyweight concrete, use 160-180 lbs/cu.ft. The density affects weight calculations and bag count estimates. UK ready-mix typically has a density of 2,300-2,400 kg/m³. Adjust this value if your supplier specifies a different mix density. The calculator automatically recalculates all weight-based outputs when you change density.

Different regions and suppliers use different volume units. In the UK, ready-mix suppliers quote in cubic metres (m³), while some older documentation uses cubic yards. US suppliers primarily use cubic yards (cu.yd). Changing the volume unit helps you: match supplier quotations directly, compare prices across different suppliers, communicate with international contractors, and verify calculations against building specifications. The calculator supports cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic metres, and litres. Select the unit that matches your supplier's pricing and quotation format for easiest ordering.

In the Settings page, scroll to "Bag Specifications" to configure available bag sizes in your area. UK standard bags are 20kg, 25kg, and 40kg. US standard bags are 40lb, 60lb, and 80lb. You can add or remove bag sizes, specify bag weight, enter the price per bag, and set coverage area per bag. This customization ensures the calculator shows accurate bag counts and costs for your local suppliers. For example, if your local builder's merchant only stocks 25kg bags at £4.50 each, configure just that bag size with the correct price for precise cost estimates.

Yes, all your calculator settings are automatically saved to your browser's local storage. This means your preferences for unit system, currency, volume units, weight units, concrete density, and bag specifications persist between sessions. Settings are saved when you make changes (no manual save button needed), remain available even after closing the browser, and are device-specific (different settings on different devices). If you clear your browser data or use a different browser, you'll need to reconfigure settings. Settings are stored locally for privacy - no account or cloud sync required.

Both regions use similar concrete densities, but expressed in different units. UK standard is 2,400 kg/m³ (kilograms per cubic metre), while US standard is 150 lbs/cu.ft (pounds per cubic foot). These values are equivalent: 150 lbs/cu.ft = 2,400 kg/m³. Both countries use standard density of 2,300-2,400 kg/m³ for normal-weight concrete. UK Building Regulations typically specify 2,400 kg/m³, while ACI (American Concrete Institute) standards use 150 lbs/cu.ft. Our calculator handles the conversion automatically based on your selected unit system. The actual concrete density can vary by ±5% depending on aggregate type and mix design.

Absolutely! Go to Settings and select your preferred weight unit from the dropdown menu. Available options include: Pounds (lbs) - common in US, Kilograms (kg) - standard in UK and Europe, Tons (US) - for large projects in America, and Metric Tons (t) - for large projects in UK/Europe. Changing the weight unit updates all calculator outputs including total concrete weight, bag weight specifications, and reinforcement calculations. This is particularly useful when coordinating with international suppliers or comparing quotes across different measurement systems. The calculator performs real-time conversions, so 1,000 kg instantly becomes 2,205 lbs when you switch units.