Concrete Pigment Color Calculator

Not sure which concrete pigment color you want — or how much you need? You're in the right place. Browse our full range of concrete pigment colors by shade, from light tints to deep saturated tones, and let our calculator tell you exactly how many pounds of ColorBlast™ pigment powder your project requires.

How the Concrete Pigment Calculator Works

Our calculator takes three inputs and does the math for you:

1. Choose your shade — Browse the color swatches to see what each pigment looks like at different loading rates in cured concrete. Shades range from subtle tints (low pigment loading) to rich, saturated color (high pigment loading).
2. Enter your project details — Tell us your cement type, the number of bags or total pounds of cement in your batch, and your desired shade intensity.
3. Get your quantity — The calculator returns the exact weight of pigment powder you need. Add it to your cart directly from this page.

Why Pigment Loading Rate Matters

The shade of your finished concrete depends on the ratio of pigment to cement — not the total amount of pigment alone. A 1% loading rate (1 pound of pigment per 100 pounds of cement) produces a light tint. A 5–7% loading rate produces deep, saturated color. Going beyond 10% rarely adds more color and can begin to affect concrete strength and workability.

Our calculator is calibrated to these standard loading rates, so the quantity it recommends is based on the same ratios used by professional decorative concrete contractors.

Available Colors

Our full concrete pigment color range includes:

• Iron oxide colors — Black, white, red, brown, buff, and FerroTint Yellow. UV-stable, lightfast, and alkali-resistant. The proven standard for outdoor and indoor concrete.
• Chromium oxide green — FerroTint Chromium Oxide Green for true green tones. Alkali-resistant. UV performance may vary from iron oxide — check product specs for outdoor projects.
• Synthetic blues — Cobalt blue, Ultramarine blue, and blue pigment for vivid blue tones. Alkali-resistant. UV stability characteristics differ from iron oxide — review individual specs for prolonged outdoor sun exposure.

Tips for Consistent Color

Always measure by weight, not volume. Pigment powder is fine and can pack or aerate depending on how it's stored and handled. Weighing ensures you get the same color every time.

Use the same cement brand and type across your entire project. Different cements have different base colors — switching brands mid-project will shift your shade even at the same pigment loading rate.

Test before you pour. Order the ColorBlast™ 5-Color Pigment Set to test colors in small sample batches. Cured color will look different from wet color, so always let test samples cure fully before committing.

Keep water ratios consistent. More water in your mix dilutes the color and weakens the concrete. Use the minimum water needed for workability, and keep it identical across batches.

Already Know What You Need?

If you already know your color and quantity, skip the calculator and head to our Concrete Pigment Powder page to select your color, pick a bag weight, and add to cart.

Click/Tap each question to hide/show the answers.

Printable Concrete Pigment How-To Guide

Step 1: Preparation

• If mixing in a bucket or a mixing drum, thoroughly clean the container to prevent contaminants before mixing your pigment and concrete.
• Double-check required pigment amounts per batch by using Direct Colors’ Pigment Calculators.
• Note: Blue pigments (201, 202, and 203) use 15-20% less water than all other pigment colors
  

Caution: May be harmful if swallowed or ingested. Contact with skin can cause mild irritation. Avoid contact with eyes.

Step 2: Application

Option 1: Ready-Mix Truck

• The cement plant should load mixer with half of the total water into the empty drum.
• Add the pigment to the water and wait for a minimum of five minutes.
  • Waiting helps break down the powder
• Add aggregate, cement, sand, and remaining water while the truck is spinning.
  • Allow mixing at full speed for a minimum of 10 minutes.
• If adding pigment to the truck at the job site, allow a minimum of 30 minutes to mix at full speed.

Option 2: Mixing Drums

• Add the pigment and your concrete mix to the drum first.
  • Mix for two minutes or until thoroughly mixed.
• While spinning, slowly add water to the drum.
  • Mix for four minutes or until even color dispersion.
• If you are making multiple batches, weigh out your water for each batch to keep your colors consistent.

Option 3: Mixing Buckets

• Add a quarter of your total water and all the pigment to your bucket.
  • Mix using a drill and birdcage mixer.
• Slowly add your concrete mix to the water while continuously running the drill.
  • Gradually add more water and concrete mix to maintain workability.
• Once water is thoroughly blended, continue to mix for 3-5 minutes longer to prevent pigment streaking.

Pro Tips:

• Do not exceed 10% pigment to the weight of Portland cement in your mix.
• One pigment can produce many shades of color depending on the different amounts added to a specific concrete batch. Lower amounts of pigment produce lighter colors, while heavier loads produce deeper, richer color.
• Use a high-shear mixing tool such as a double box or birdcage mixer for buckets.
• When mixing in buckets, be sure the mixer can reach the bottom edges, where pigment can settle and lead to streaks in your finish.
• When mixing multiple batches, maintain a precise mix formula. Changes in the amount of concrete mix, pigment, or water will affect color results.

Cleanup:

• Clean tools and supplies with ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water before concrete has cured.
• Clean tools and supplies with a concrete dissolver after concrete has cured.

Tools & Supplies:

• Drill
• Cement mixer
• ProClean Degreaser™

Disclaimer: Direct Colors does not warranty or guarantee results (outcomes). Concrete variations or improper application may cause unintended results. Test product on an inconspicuous or small area and allow to fully cure to ensure compatibility and desired result.