A sonotube concrete calculator is an online calculator through which you can estimate the concrete volume needed to fill the sonotube. 

What actually is a sonotube, and how does its calculator help? Let us help you understand this comprehensively.

Understanding Sonotube

Suppose you want to fill concrete for a deck footing or a round column, and for this, you need a stable shape. What would you do at this point? Building a wooden form for this shape can be difficult and time-consuming. At this moment, a Sonotube is used. 

A Sonotube is a large, cylindrical cardboard tube that works as a mold for concrete. It is used to pour concrete into round shapes. It is placed in the ground or set where you want the column. Then the concrete material is poured inside the tube and left to harden.

A sonotube is made from a hard and strong fiber material that can easily hold wet concrete in place until it hardens. In short, it is used for structural support of columns, posts, etc, and can be removed once the concrete is set. Sonotubes are available in different diameters, lengths, and heights. You can choose the one that suits your construction project.

Sonotube Concrete Calculator

A concrete Sonotube calculator is a tool that quickly tells you the volume of concrete required to fill a cylindrical form. You just enter the diameter and height of the Sonotube, and the calculator gives you the exact amount of concrete needed.

Working of Concrete Sonotube Calculator 

Every concrete calculator works with its built-in formula. It calculates the concrete need through the formula and the dimensions you provide. In the concrete calculator for Sonotube, the calculator has a different formula.

Here, every concrete calculator is different. Some calculators use a separate sonotube calculator for finding out the concrete volume. In such calculators, you have to enter the following dimensions: 

• Sonotube size 
• Sonotube height 
• Sonotube quantity 

After adding the following details, the calculator gives you the estimated volume you might need for filling the sonotube. Later, you can adjust the type of concrete you need and the density to find out the volume. 

Some calculator websites do not provide a separate concrete calculator for sonotube and instead use the calculator for circular slab or tube, or the calculator for column or round objects. Most experienced contractors use these calculators to identify the concrete volume for a sonotube. 

Such calculators demand the following dimensions: 

• Diameters
• Height 
• Quantity

Some other sonotube concrete calculators require:

• Diameter 
• Height

Such calculators use the formula of the circle or cylinder to calculate the concrete volume for filling the sonotube.

How to Use the Sonotube Calculator for Pre-Mixed & Ready-Mixed Concrete?

A sonotube calculator is used to estimate the volume of two types of concrete, either pre-mixed or ready-mixed. Every calculator works differently, while some give the result for both types.                                            

Pre-mixed concrete is a dry mixture of concrete in which the cement, sand, and gravel are mixed, and only water should be added to form the concrete mixture. On the other hand, a ready-mixed concrete is a ready-made mixture of concrete. It is prepared in plants and delivered at the construction site.

However, you should know how to use the calculator for these different types. To obtain the pre-mixed concrete volume, you must follow these steps:

• Enter the diameter and height of your Sonotube.
• Add the number of tubes you are filling.
• The calculator applies the formula and tells you the total concrete volume.
• The calculator will either give you the estimate in the standard bag size, or you will have to choose the bag size in which you want the estimate.

Once you get the estimate, you can order or get the required number of bags from the supplier. Pre-mixed concrete is a suitable option for small projects. 

On the other hand, if you want to find the estimate of ready-mixed concrete, you will have to follow these steps: 

• Enter the Sonotube dimensions
• Select the concrete mix ratio of cement, sand, and gravel if you prefer to mix it on your own.
• Add the density of the mix
• Calculate 

The calculator will give you the volume of concrete required, as well as the amount of cement, sand, and gravel separately. If cost data is entered, it can also show the total material cost.

This method is better for large projects, where concrete is mixed in bulk instead of buying individual bags.

Parameters of Using the Concrete Sonotube Calculator 

When you are using a Sonotube calculator, there are several parameters that affect the calculation process. These parameters should be entered correctly to get an accurate result. 

These values affect the final calculation and help you understand exactly how much material is required.

• Diameter of the Sonotube – The width of the tube, usually measured in inches or centimeters. A larger diameter means more concrete is needed.
• Height or Depth – The length of the tube that will be filled with concrete. Taller tubes require more volume.
• Number of Tubes – If your project involves more than one Sonotube, the calculator can multiply the result to give the total volume.
• Concrete Density – The calculator may ask for the density of the mix, as different mixes can vary slightly in weight.
• Mix Ratio – If you are purchasing a self-mixed concrete, then you might have to enter the cement, sand, and gravel ratios separately.
• Bag Size – If you prefer to use bags, then it is a must to select the quantity of bags you are using, either 40 lb, 60 lb, or 80 lb bags, so the calculator can convert volume into bags.
• Waste Percentage – A small extra percentage must be added to account for spills, uneven ground, or minor errors in filling.
• Material Cost – Some calculators give you the option to add the price per bag or per cubic meter to estimate the total project cost.
• Load-Bearing Capacity Requirements – Each project has specific structural needs for its load-bearing capacity. For example, a deck footing will need to carry a heavier load than a simple fence post. The size of the Sonotube and the strength of the concrete mix must be chosen wisely for this to safely handle the expected weight.

These  are some of the parameters that are needed to be added correctly to get accurate estimates for your project and to avoid shortages or excess purchases.

Formula Behind the Sonotube Concrete Calculator

 The formula behind every concrete calculator is different. In the concrete calculator for sonotube, the formula of the cylindrical shape is applied. A sonotube is basically a hollow tube in the shape of a cylinder, and thus, that formula fits well for its concrete volume calculation.

The formula to find the concrete volume for a sonotube is:

π × (radius × radius) × height

• Here we all know the “π” symbol is pi, which has a constant value of 3.1416. So it will be added as it is. 
• “r” stands for the radius of the Sonotube. The radius is half of the diameter. 
• “h” means height or the depth of the Sonotube dug in the ground. 

So, here let’s guide you with a practical manual example to help you understand how the calculator works for you. 

Suppose the diameter of the sonotube is 12 inches and the height is 48 inches. Now, first of all, you must know the difference between the radius and the diameter. A diameter is the full round length of the circle, whereas the radius is half the length of the circle. In this formula, the radius is applied. When you are using the calculator, you must know what the calculator requires: the radius or the diameter. So, add the length carefully.

The radius is half of the circle, so we have to find the radius from the diameter we measured.

Radius = Diameter divided by 2 

Radius = 12 ÷ 2 = 6 inches

Volume = 3.1416 × (6 × 6) × 48

Volume = 3.1416 × 36 × 48 = 

The final concrete volume is 5,429 cubic inches

Now, we have to convert it to other units, like cubic feet or cubic yards.

1 cubic foot = 1,728 cubic inches

So, we will divide the concrete volume by 1,728 to get the result in cubic feet. 

5,429 ÷ 1,728 = 3.14 cubic feet

So, one 12-by-4-inch Sonotube needs about 3.14 cubic feet of concrete.

If you are using 60 lb bags of concrete, where one bag covers about 0.45 cubic feet, you would need:

3.14 ÷ 0.45 = 7 bags of concrete.

If you want the answer in cubic yards, you can get that too because large projects require the concrete in cubic yards. 

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet

We take the cubic feet answer to get the volume in cubic yards

3.14 ÷ 27 = 0.116 cubic yards

So, the same 12-by-4-inch Sonotube requires about 0.116 cubic yards of concrete.

This is the simple formula behind every Sonotube calculator, which saves you from doing manual conversions and calculations.

Advantages of Using a Sonotube Concrete Calculator

Using a Sonotube concrete calculator is a handy and useful tool that makes the construction process easier by giving the concrete volume estimate in advance. With its use, you don’t need to guess how many bags you might need or worry about running short in the middle of work. It comes with further advantages, which are highlighted below: 

• It gives the exact, concrete volume needed for each Sonotube.
• It saves time and gives quick results without manual math or conversions.
• Its usage prevents buying too much or too little concrete and material from being wasted.
• The calculator is suitable for every type of project, from single footings to multiple columns.
• It converts the concrete volume into the standard or required quantity.
• Best for cost planning because it estimates the total material cost in advance.
• You get error-free work with reduced mistakes as compared to manual calculations.
• The tool is user-friendly for both homeowners and contractors.

So, this is all about the concrete sonotube calculator. If you are working on any project, building with sonotubes becomes much easier when you know exactly how much concrete you will need. A Sonotube calculator is a useful tool available on different websites. You can use it easily to avail its useful benefits as it takes away the stress of guessing your estimates. It makes your project, as well as budget planning, easy.

If you are working on any project and need a good and authentic sonotube concrete calculator, then you must try TogCalculator’s concrete calculators to get an accurate concrete estimate for your project! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a normal concrete calculator for calculating Sonotube concrete? 

Yes, you can use a normal concrete calculator for calculating the sonotube concrete. Just select the cylindrical shape in the calculator because a sonotube is a cylindrical-shaped mold and sonotube calculators usually use a cylinder-shaped formula for estimating its concrete volume.

Should I add extra concrete for the sonotube, too, after calculating the estimate through a concrete calculator?

Yes, you should add extra concrete as it is necessary for every project. Spills, wastage, and material shortage can happen unexpectedly and at any time during the project. This is why it is necessary to keep some extra amount to cover unexpected issues.

What sizes do Sonotubes come in?

Sonotubes are available in different sizes. It comes in different diameters, including 8, 10, 12, 18, and 24 inches, and this can be cut in different lengths accordingly.