Bags per cubic yard and real cost
| Bag | Yield | Bags per yd³ | Bag cost per yd³* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 0.3 cu ft | 90 | $383 |
| 60 lb | 0.45 cu ft | 60 | $315 |
| 80 lb | 0.6 cu ft | 45 | $293 |
| Ready-mix | – | – | ≈ $150 + fees |
*At our default bag prices (national typical, checked October 2026). Change them in the calculator to match your store.
Bagged concrete costs roughly twice as much per yard as ready-mix. On small jobs you still come out ahead, because there are no minimums and no short-load fees. The crossover is usually between 1 and 2 yards.
Working with bags
- Have every bag on site before you start. You don't want a store run while the first batch is setting.
- Mix in a consistent order and amount of water. Too much water is the most common cause of weak, dusty DIY concrete.
- Keep a couple of spare bags. Most stores take unopened bags back, and the spares are cheap insurance against running short.
Common questions
How many 80 lb bags of concrete make a yard?
45. Each 80 lb bag yields about 0.60 cubic feet, and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
How many 60 lb bags of concrete make a yard?
60, at about 0.45 cubic feet per bag.
How many 40 lb bags of concrete make a yard?
90, at about 0.30 cubic feet per bag.
Which bag size is the best value?
Per cubic foot, 80 lb bags are almost always the cheapest. 40 and 60 lb bags cost more per cubic foot, but they're easier to carry and mix in a wheelbarrow, and that matters for overhead or hard-to-reach pours.
How many bags can I mix in a day?
Mixing by hand in a wheelbarrow, one person can comfortably do about 20–40 × 80 lb bags in a session. A rented drum mixer roughly doubles that. Beyond about 60 bags, look at ready-mix.