How Many Bags of Concrete Make a Yard? 80, 60 and 40 lb
One cubic yard of concrete is 45 bags of 80 lb mix, 60 bags of 60 lb mix or 90 bags of 40 lb mix. For your own size, use the concrete calculator, which gives yards and bags for any slab.
Part of the project planner: Planning a concrete patio, slab or driveway.
Bags per cubic yard (chart)
Whole bags, with no extra added:
| Concrete | 80 lb bags | 60 lb bags | 40 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 cubic yards | 12 | 15 | 23 |
| 0.5 cubic yards | 23 | 30 | 45 |
| 1 cubic yard | 45 | 60 | 90 |
| 2 cubic yards | 90 | 120 | 180 |
| 3 cubic yards | 135 | 180 | 270 |
| 5 cubic yards | 225 | 300 | 450 |
Bags for common slab sizes
With 10% extra, for a slab 4 inches thick:
| Slab | Concrete | 80 lb bags | 60 lb bags | 40 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 4 ft, 4 in thick | 0.22 yd³ | 10 | 14 | 20 |
| 4 x 6 ft, 4 in thick | 0.33 yd³ | 15 | 20 | 30 |
| 5 x 10 ft, 4 in thick | 0.68 yd³ | 31 | 41 | 62 |
| 10 x 10 ft, 4 in thick | 1.36 yd³ | 62 | 82 | 123 |
| 10 x 12 ft, 4 in thick | 1.63 yd³ | 74 | 98 | 147 |
| 12 x 12 ft, 4 in thick | 1.96 yd³ | 88 | 118 | 176 |
| 12 x 20 ft, 4 in thick | 3.26 yd³ | 147 | 196 | 294 |
Bags or ready-mix?
- Bags win for small jobs: post holes, a step, a 4 x 4 pad. You mix as you go.
- Ready-mix wins when a job passes a yard or so: it arrives mixed, and a slab must be poured in one go.
- Mixing yourself from cement, sand and gravel is another route: see the concrete mix ratios.
More: how many bags of concrete do I need, how much concrete weighs and how to calculate cubic yards. These are estimates: bag yields vary a little by brand, so check the label.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of concrete equal a yard?
45 bags of 80 lb mix, 60 bags of 60 lb mix or 90 bags of 40 lb mix, rounded up to whole bags.
How many 80 lb bags of concrete make a yard?
45 bags. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and each 80 lb bag makes a little under a cubic foot.
Is it cheaper to buy bags or ready-mix?
For more than a yard or two, ready-mix delivered by truck usually costs less and saves mixing 45 bags by hand. Under half a yard, bags are easier.
How much does a yard of concrete weigh?
About 4,050 pounds, or roughly two tons.
Should I add extra?
Yes, about 10%. Ground that is not level, spills and a slightly thicker slab all use more than the neat figure.
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.