How Many Bags of Concrete in a Yard?
It takes 45 bags of 80 lb concrete mix to make one cubic yard, or 60 bags of 60 lb mix, 72 bags of 50 lb, and 90 bags of 40 lb.
The math is simple: a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and an 80 lb bag yields 0.6 cubic feet. 27 ÷ 0.6 = 45.
| Bag size | Yield per bag | Bags per yard | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 0.30 ft³ | 90 bags | 3,600 lb |
| 50 lb | 0.375 ft³ | 72 bags | 3,600 lb |
| 60 lb | 0.45 ft³ | 60 bags | 3,600 lb |
| 80 lb | 0.60 ft³ | 45 bags | 3,600 lb |
| 90 lb | 0.675 ft³ | 40 bags | 3,600 lb |
Every bag size lands on the same 3,600 lb of dry mix, which makes about 4,050 lb of wet concrete once water is added.
Why every row weighs the same
Bag yields are proportional to weight — an 80 lb bag yields exactly twice what a 40 lb bag does. So no matter which size you buy, a cubic yard is 3,600 lb of dry mix. Larger bags simply mean fewer trips to the mixer, which is why 80 lb is the default for slab work and 60 lb is popular where the lifting matters.
That is more than a full pallet
A pallet of 80 lb bags holds 42, so a single cubic yard is a pallet plus three bags. A pallet of 60 lb bags holds 56, four short of the 60 you need.
In other words, one pallet of any size is roughly 0.9 cubic yards. Details on pallet counts and weights.
Cost: bags vs ready-mix at one yard
At roughly $5–$7 per 80 lb bag, one cubic yard in bags costs about $225–$315 in materials alone. Ready-mix runs $140–$200 per yard delivered, but a one-yard order picks up a short-load fee of $100–$180.
The two land close together at one yard — bags edge ahead below it, ready-mix pulls clearly ahead above it. Bags also cost you a day of mixing and the risk of cold joints in a slab.
What a yard actually covers
- 81 sq ft at 4 inches thick
- 65 sq ft at 5 inches
- 54 sq ft at 6 inches
- Roughly 30 fence post holes at 10 in × 2 ft
Estimating notes
- Yields assume standard concrete mix; high-strength, crack-resistant, and fast-setting products differ slightly.
- Mixing 45 bags by hand is a full day's work for two people — plan accordingly.
- Use the bags of concrete calculator to convert your own dimensions straight into a bag count.