How to Mix Concrete (DIY)

Learn how to mix concrete to the right consistency with instructions and tips.

By
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 04/02/24
Reviewed by
Kelly Bacon
Kelly Bacon
Reviewed by Kelly Bacon
Kelly Bacon is a licensed general contractor with over 40 years of experience in construction, home building and remodeling, and commercial building. He is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Fact checked by
Emily Estep
Emily Estep
Fact checked by Emily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
A person mixing concrete in a blue wheel barrow.

The Spruce / Debbie Wolfe

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 20 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 days
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10 to $20

Concrete is a valuable building material around the home. Strong, adaptable, and durable, concrete can be used for patios, fence posts, flooring, footers, and slabs. You can even make kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, and sinks out of concrete.

While concrete mixing is commonly associated with mixing trucks and commercial-grade mixers, home do-it-yourselfers can reliably mix up small quantities of concrete with simple tools.

It is possible to mix smaller quantities of concrete by hand, without using an electric mixer. You will use just a garden hoe and shovel, a mixing basin such as a wheelbarrow, and a clean water source such as that from a garden hose.

Keep reading to learn how to mix concrete by hand, and the amount you'll need for a given space.

How to Choose the Right Concrete Mix

When mixing concrete, you should use a preblended, bagged concrete mix, which differs from a sand mix or mortar mix. Concrete is stronger and more durable whereas sand and mortar functions more as a bonding agent, when laying bricks, for example. You can find preblended concrete, as well as sand or mortar mix at any hardware or home improvement store.

Batch quantities with this method are limited to one or two 50-pound bags of concrete. Mixing more than 100 pounds of concrete with a hoe is physically difficult, plus, the concrete may begin to harden before you can get the entire batch mixed. Most do-it-yourselfers will find that mixing one bag of 50-pound concrete at a time is the most comfortable batch quantity.

What is the Concrete Mix to Water Ratio?

Measuring out the exact amount of water is crucial to successful concrete mixing. Using not enough results in a dry, powdery mix that doesn't stick together or set properly. A more common error is to add too much water. While the pour may be successful, concrete mixed with too much water is weak and will soon crumble.

While you should aim for the exact amount of water specified by the manufacturer, most manufacturers build in tolerances for extra water, if needed. In many cases, you can add up to two extra cups of water.

Concrete mixture that is dry and crumbly
Concrete mixture that is dry and crumbly

Chaiyaporn1144 / Getty Images

Concrete mixture that is too wet
Concrete mixture that is too wet Thakorn / Getty Images
Concrete pouring from a mixer onto a gravel base.
Good consistency concrete mixture

The Spruce / Debbie Wolfe

Tip

Always follow manufacturer instructions for how much water to add to concrete. Always start with less water and add more as needed to avoid weak concrete.

4-Inch Thick Slab Bags Needed (50 lb.) Water Needed
1 square foot 1 3 1/2 U.S. pints
2 square feet 2 7 U.S. pints
3 square feet 3 10 1/2 U.S. pints
4 square feet 4 14 U.S. pints
5 square feet 5 17 1/2 U.S. pints

Why Mix Concrete in a Wheelbarrow?

Concrete can be mixed in a bucket, however, a wheelbarrow is the better option as it's easier to transport the concrete to your desired project site. A wheelbarrow offers more space to mix the concrete and allows you to save time from going back and forth to get more mix were you to use a a bucket.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Wheelbarrow or large mortar tub
  • Garden hoe
  • Shovel
  • Thick rubber gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Dust mask
  • Clean bucket
  • Measuring cup
  • Utility knife
  • Indelible marker

Materials

  • 1 Quick-mix concrete, 50-pound bag
  • Fresh water supply

Instructions

  1. Pour Out the Bag of Concrete

    For a clean pour that minimizes dust, set the bag of concrete on the end in the wheelbarrow. Hold the top of the bag with one hand and use the other hand to slice off the top of the bag with the utility knife. Gently push the bag on its side and slowly pour out the concrete mix. Keep the mix sequestered on one side of the wheelbarrow or mixing basin for now.

    A person pouring dry cocrete mix into a blue wheel barrow.

    The Spruce/ Debbie Wolfe

  2. Pour the Measured Amount of Water

    Pour the prepared bucket of water into the open side of the wheelbarrow or basin.

    A person pouring a small bucketful of water next to dry concrete in a wheel barrow.

    The Spruce/ Debbie Wolfe

  3. Slowly Fold Concrete In With Water

    With the hoe, gradually pull material from the concrete side of the basin into the water. Make sure that the product is mixed into the water before pulling in more of the product.

    A person using a concrete mixing hoe to fold water into dry concrete mix in a blue wheel barrow.

    The Spruce/ Debbie Wolfe

  4. Mix the Concrete

    When all of the concrete and water are mixed, continue to mix until you remove all air pockets or dry sections.

    If working alone, brace the wheelbarrow while mixing the concrete by stepping on one of the wheelbarrow's stands with your foot or by supporting the side of the basin with your knee.

    A person using a concrete mix hoe to mix concrete in a blue wheel barrow.

    The Spruce/ Debbie Wolfe

  5. Assess and Amend the Concrete to the Perfect Ratio

    The concrete should have a peanut butter-like consistency. It should not be soupy. If so, add a small amount of dry concrete to stiffen the mix. Nor should the mix be powdery. If so, add up to two cups of water, one cup at a time.

    Drag the hoe once through the mix, with the hoe touching the bottom of the basin. The concrete groove's sides should stand firm. When you pat the concrete with the hoe or a shovel, it should remain flat.

    A person mixing concrete with a concrete mixing hoe in a blue wheel barrow.

  6. Clean the Tools

    Immediately after pouring the concrete, clean the tools (unless you will be mixing up more concrete). Put the tools in the wheelbarrow, spray them clean, then stand them up to the side to dry. Spray the inside of the wheelbarrow clean of all concrete residue.

    A person spraying water in a blue wheel barrow.

    The Spruce/ Debbie Wolfe

Tips For Increasing Concrete Working Time

Quick-mix concrete begins to set in around 20 to 40 minutes. This means that you have less than 20 minutes to fully mix the concrete and pour it. Concrete achieves 1,000 psi within 24 hours and is considered fully cured in 28 days, but it is normally useable in about a day or two, depending on the application.

To maintain these tight parameters, you'll need to have all of your materials and tools ready and nearby. Every extraneous action only cuts into the concrete's working time.

  • With the garden hose, pour out eight cups (or one-half gallon) of water into the measuring cup and then into the bucket. Mark the waterline with the indelible marker.
  • Place the hoe, shovel, bucket of water, measuring cup, and garden hose (faucet on, hose controlled with a sprayer) within reaching distance of the wheelbarrow.
  • Mix the concrete as close to the pour site as possible.
  • Work with an assistant. One person devotes their attention to mixing, while the other person adds water and steadies the wheelbarrow.
  • If the concrete mix becomes too dry, add a very small amount of water at a time (no more than a cup total) until your concrete mixture regains some movement.
  • When working with concrete, you should wear jeans and long sleeves to protect your skin, as well as safety glasses to deflect any particles that may splash up toward your eye. A dust mask should also be worn to protect your lungs from concrete particles.