How Many Bags of Concrete Are in a Yard? (40, 60, and 80 lb)
It takes about 45 80-lb, 60 60-lb, or 90 40-lb bags to fill one cubic yard of concrete. Here is the full breakdown, the cost, and when bags beat ready-mix.
If you are buying bagged concrete, the single most useful number to memorize is how many bags fill a cubic yard. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and each bag yields a known fraction of a cubic foot, so the math is straightforward.
The short answer: about 45 bags of 80 lb, 60 bags of 60 lb, or 90 bags of 40 lb concrete fill one cubic yard — before you add waste.
The bag yields
Each bag size produces a set volume of mixed concrete:
| Bag size | Yield per bag | Bags per cubic yard | Bags per yard (+10% waste) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | ~0.30 cu ft | 90 | ~99 |
| 60 lb | ~0.45 cu ft | 60 | ~66 |
| 80 lb | ~0.60 cu ft | 45 | ~50 |
So with the standard 10% waste allowance, plan on about 50 bags of 80 lb mix to reliably place one cubic yard.
What a yard of bags costs
At 2026 prices of roughly $5 to $8 per 80 lb bag, filling one cubic yard with bags costs about $225 to $360 in material — before your time. Compare that with ready-mix at $130 to $180 per cubic yard delivered, and you can see why bags only make sense for small jobs.
When bags actually win
Bagged concrete is the smart choice below about one cubic yard. It avoids ready-mix delivery minimums and short-load fees, lets you pour on your own schedule, and is easy to mix in a wheelbarrow or rented mixer. Fence posts, small footings, repairs, and short walkways are classic bag jobs.
Choosing a bag size
80 lb bags give the lowest cost per cubic foot and the fewest bags to open, but they are heavy to lift and mix repeatedly. 60 lb bags are a good middle ground for most DIYers, and 40 lb bags suit small patches and anyone who cannot handle the heavier sizes safely. The best choice is the largest bag you can lift comfortably for the whole job.
Estimate your exact count
Bag count depends entirely on your project's volume. Use the bag calculator to enter your length, width, and thickness — it converts to cubic feet, applies a waste allowance, and tells you exactly how many 40, 60, or 80 lb bags you need plus the material cost. Always buy a few extra bags so a miscount does not stop your pour.
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