Cement vs Concrete: What’s the Difference?
Quick answer: Cement is an ingredient; concrete is the finished material. Cement is a fine powder that reacts with water to form a paste. That paste binds sand and stone together to make concrete. A typical concrete mix is about 10 to 15% cement, 60 to 75% aggregates (sand and stone), 15 to 20% water, and often 5 to 8% entrained air, by volume.
People use the words "cement" and "concrete" interchangeably all the time. You'll hear "cement driveway," "cement truck," and "pouring cement." But if you're ordering material for a project, knowing the difference helps you ask for the right thing.
What Is Cement?
Cement, usually Portland cement, is a fine grey powder made by heating limestone, clay, and other materials in a kiln, then grinding the result. On its own, it isn't a building material. When water is added, a chemical reaction called hydration begins and the paste hardens.
Think of cement as the glue. It's essential, but it's only a small part of the final product.
What Is Concrete Made Of?
Concrete has four main ingredients:
Cement: the binder, about 10 to 15% of the mix by volume
Aggregates: sand (fine aggregate) and stone or gravel (coarse aggregate), about 60 to 75%
Water: about 15 to 20%, which triggers hydration
Air: tiny entrained air bubbles, often 5 to 8% in exterior concrete, which help it survive freeze-thaw cycles
Admixtures can also be added to change how concrete sets, flows, or performs in hot or cold weather.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
Because they do different jobs. You'd never pour a driveway with cement and water alone. It would shrink, crack, and cost far more. The aggregate gives concrete its strength, bulk, and durability, while the cement paste locks everything together.
When you order for a driveway, patio, slab, or footing, you're ordering concrete, usually specified by strength in MPa. Learn what those numbers mean in Understanding Concrete Mix Strengths: MPa Explained.
Cement vs Concrete vs Mortar vs Grout
Cement: the powder binder used in all of the below
Concrete: cement + water + sand + stone. Used for driveways, slabs, footings, walls, and sidewalks
Mortar: cement + water + sand (no stone), often with lime. Used to bond bricks and blocks
Grout: a fluid mix used to fill gaps, cores, and joints
Is It a Cement Truck or a Concrete Truck?
It's a concrete truck. The truck carries concrete (or its ingredients), not plain cement. There are two common types:
Drum trucks carry concrete that was batched at a plant and keep it turning on the way to your site
Volumetric trucks carry sand, stone, cement, and water in separate compartments and mix concrete fresh at your site
Bathurst Mobile Ready Mix uses volumetric trucks. Because concrete is mixed on site, it's fresh when your crew is ready, and you pay only for what goes into your forms.
How Strong Is Concrete Compared to Cement?
Concrete is designed and tested for compressive strength, measured in megapascals (MPa) at 28 days. The strength you need depends on the job. In Ontario, exterior flatwork exposed to freeze-thaw and de-icing salt is typically specified at 32 MPa. Cement on its own isn't rated this way because it isn't used as a standalone structural material.
Can I Make Concrete With Just Cement and Sand?
Cement and sand alone make mortar, not concrete. Without coarse aggregate, the mix is weaker in bulk applications and more prone to shrinkage cracking. For slabs, footings, and driveways, you need a properly proportioned concrete mix with stone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cement and concrete?
Cement is a powder that acts as a binder. Concrete is the finished building material made by mixing cement with water, sand, and stone.
Is cement stronger than concrete?
No. Cement is just one ingredient. Concrete, with aggregates, is the strong, durable material used for construction.
What percentage of concrete is cement?
Typically about 10 to 15% of concrete by volume is cement. The rest is mostly aggregates (60 to 75%), water (15 to 20%), and entrained air.
Why do people say "cement driveway"?
It's a common habit, but it's technically a concrete driveway. Cement is only the binder inside the concrete.
What is mortar?
Mortar is a mix of cement, water, and sand, sometimes with lime. It's used to bond bricks and blocks, not to pour slabs or driveways.
What is concrete made of?
Concrete is made of cement, water, fine aggregate (sand), coarse aggregate (stone or gravel), and often entrained air and admixtures.
Is it called a cement mixer or a concrete mixer?
Both terms are used, but the truck mixes and delivers concrete. "Concrete truck" or "ready-mix truck" is the accurate term.
What is volumetric concrete?
Volumetric concrete is mixed on site from separate compartments of sand, stone, cement, and water, instead of being batched at a plant. It's fresh when placed and you pay for what's used.
What strength concrete do I need for a driveway?
Exterior flatwork in Ontario exposed to freeze-thaw and de-icing salts is typically specified at 32 MPa with 5% to 8% air entrainment.
Where can I get concrete delivered in Toronto?
Bathurst Mobile Ready Mix supplies and delivers fresh, on-site mixed concrete across Toronto and the GTA. Call 416-656-1937 for a quote.
Need Concrete for Your Project?
Fresh concrete, mixed on site and measured to the job, across Toronto, Scarborough, Markham, Aurora, Oshawa, and the GTA.
Call 416-656-1937 or email admin@bathurstreadymix.ca for a quote.
Related reading: Understanding Concrete Mix Strengths: MPa Explained · Concrete vs Asphalt Driveway · How Much Concrete Do I Need? · The Advantages of Ready-Mix Concrete