How many bags of concrete are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. At typical yields that's about 45 bags of 80-lb mix (≈0.60 ft³ each), 60 bags of 60-lb (≈0.45 ft³), or 90 bags of 40-lb (≈0.30 ft³). Yields vary by product and consolidation, so check the bag — and for anything past a few bags, ready-mix by the yard is usually cheaper.
Source: Manufacturer bag yields (Quikrete / Sakrete) · Verify against your AHJ and the adopted code edition.
Start with the conversion: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Bagged concrete is rated by the cured volume it yields, so divide 27 by the bag’s yield:
| Bag | Yield (approx.) | Bags per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| 80 lb | 0.60 ft³ | ~45 |
| 60 lb | 0.45 ft³ | ~60 |
| 40 lb | 0.30 ft³ | ~90 |
Those yields are manufacturer figures that vary with the product and how well the mix is consolidated — always check the bag.
The practical takeaway: bags are convenient for small pours (a few posts, a landing pad), but 45 bags to fill a single yard is a lot of mixing. Past a few bags, ready-mix ordered by the cubic yard is cheaper and easier — most suppliers have a minimum load and a short-load fee.
Work it out: the concrete takeoff gives the volume in cubic yards and cubic metres and the bag count for each size, with a waste allowance.
Sources
- Quikrete / Sakrete published bag yields — Manufacturer data — yields vary by product