How Many Bags of Concrete per Cubic Yard?
The number of bags per cubic yard depends on bag size. Larger bags yield more concrete per bag, so you need fewer of them. Here is the complete breakdown.
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Bags per cubic yard — all sizes
| Bag size | Yield per bag | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 80 lb | 0.60 cu ft | 45 bags |
| 60 lb | 0.45 cu ft | 60 bags |
| 50 lb | 0.375 cu ft | 72 bags |
| 40 lb | 0.30 cu ft | 90 bags |
Per Quikrete manufacturer specifications. 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.
How many bags for common volumes?
| Volume | 80 lb bags | 60 lb bags | 40 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 cu yd | 12 | 15 | 23 |
| 0.50 cu yd | 23 | 30 | 45 |
| 0.75 cu yd | 34 | 45 | 68 |
| 1.00 cu yd | 45 | 60 | 90 |
| 1.50 cu yd | 68 | 90 | 135 |
| 2.00 cu yd | 90 | 120 | 180 |
Includes 10% waste. Always round up.
Which bag size should you choose?
- 80 lb bags — best yield per bag, least bags to buy and mix. Good for most DIY projects.
- 60 lb bags — easier to carry solo, decent yield. Best for working alone.
- 50 lb bags — less common; similar to 60 lb in convenience.
- 40 lb bags — easiest to handle; takes 2× as many bags as 80 lb. Best for small, delicate jobs.
The math behind the numbers
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.
Each bag yields a specific volume when mixed with water per the manufacturer’s instructions:
- 80 lb bag: 27 ÷ 0.60 = 45
- 60 lb bag: 27 ÷ 0.45 = 60
- 40 lb bag: 27 ÷ 0.30 = 90
Use the Concrete Calculator to get the exact number of bags for your specific slab dimensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 80 lb bags of concrete make a cubic yard?
You need 45 bags of 80 lb Quikrete to make one cubic yard of concrete. Each 80 lb bag yields 0.60 cubic feet, and there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (27 ÷ 0.60 = 45).
How many 60 lb bags of concrete per yard?
It takes 60 bags of 60 lb concrete mix to make one cubic yard. Each 60 lb bag yields 0.45 cubic feet (27 ÷ 0.45 = 60).
How many 40 lb bags of concrete per cubic yard?
You need 90 bags of 40 lb concrete to equal one cubic yard. Each 40 lb bag yields 0.30 cubic feet (27 ÷ 0.30 = 90).
What bag size is best for a small slab?
For small projects under 1 cubic yard, 80 lb bags give the best yield per bag and reduce the number of bags to mix. For easier handling — especially working alone — 60 lb bags are a good compromise.
At what project size should I order ready-mix concrete instead of bags?
For projects over 1 cubic yard (about 45 bags of 80 lb mix), ready-mix concrete delivered by truck is usually more economical and much less labor-intensive. For 1–3 yards it is a close call.