How Many Bags of Concrete Are in a Yard?
A cubic yard, 1 yd³, of concrete takes 45 bags of 80 lb mix, at the yield of 0.6 ft³[1], before any waste allowance.
Estimates for planning, not professional advice. Read the full notice.
Work it out for your own sizes
Work out the bags for your own pourExample to try: Length 3 ft, Width 3 ft, Thickness 3 ft
Bags per cubic yard, by bag size
Bags of the maker's concrete mix for one cubic yard, by bag size, with and without the waste allowance
| Bag size | Bags to buy, no waste | Exact bags | Bags to buy, with waste | Yield per bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 90 | 90 | 99 | approx. 0.3 ft³ |
| 50 lb | 72 | 72 | 80 | approx. 0.375 ft³ |
| 60 lb | 60 | 60 | 66 | approx. 0.45 ft³ |
| 80 lb | 45 | 45 | 50 | approx. 0.6 ft³ |
| 90 lb | 40 | 40 | 44 | approx. 0.675 ft³ |
Figures in the Yield per bag column are per QUIKRETE's data sheet, checked Nov 12, 2026.
Estimate for planning, from what you entered and the product data shown. Check product labels and your supplier before you buy.
Product names are trademarks of their owners. HoneyDoMath is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by these makers. Figures come from each maker's published sheets and are shown for information only.
Source: [1]
Bags to buy rounds the exact count up once, to whole bags. Your bag's label comes first; if it gives a different yield, use the label.
What changes at other sizes
The bag count follows the volume. For 3 yd³ the same bags come to 135 before waste, and 149 with the waste allowance of 10%[2], each rounded up once.
A ready-mixed concrete truck carries 8 yd³[2] to 12 yd³[2] per load.
Questions
How many 80 lb bags of concrete make a yard?
The table on this page gives the count for every bag size, worked out from the yield on the maker's data sheet and rounded up once, at the bag.
How many 60 lb bags of concrete are in a yard?
The table lists that bag size beside the others. A smaller bag makes less concrete, so a yard takes more of them.
Does the bag count include waste?
The first columns are for exactly one cubic yard. The next column adds the waste allowance, which the bag calculator lets you change.
How many bags do I need for half a yard?
Bag counts follow the volume. Enter the volume of your pour in the bag calculator and it rounds up once, at the bag, for each size.
Calculate it for your project
Enter your own sizes to get the amount to buy or the layout figures, with the working shown and a page to print.
Try your own sizes in the bag calculatorSources (2)
-
QUIKRETE Concrete Mix No. 1101 data sheet (opens in new tab), The Quikrete Companies, Revised October 2022.
Manufacturer data.
“A 40 lb (18.1 kg) bag yields approximately 0.30 ft3 (8.5 L)”
“A 50 lb (22.6 kg) bag yields approximately 0.375 ft3 (10.6 L)”
“A 60 lb (27.2 kg) bag yields approximately 0.45 ft3 (12.7 L)”
“An 80 lb (36.2 kg) bag yields approximately 0.60 ft3 (17 L)”
“A 90 lb (40.8 kg) bag yields approximately 0.675 ft3 (19.1 L)”
Per QUIKRETE's data sheet, checked Nov 12, 2026. Figures and codes change; verify with the source. Back to where this is used (Source 1) -
CIP 31, Ordering Ready Mixed Concrete (opens in new tab), National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, 2000, 2016, 2023.
Standards or industry body.
“Quantity of concrete ordered should be 4% to 10% more than an estimate calculated from the plan dimensions to account for contingencies.”
“The capacity of truck mixers varies between 8 to 12 cubic yards (5 to 9 m3).”
Checked November 12, 2026. Figures and codes change; verify with the source. Back to where this is used (Source 2)
These are summaries of what the sources say, not professional advice. Codes and product data change. Check with your building department and the product label about your own project.