How Many 80 lb Bags of Concrete Are in a Yard?

One cubic yard of concrete takes about 45 bags of 80 lb concrete mix when each bag yields 0.60 cubic feet. If you add a 10% waste factor, plan for about 50 bags.

Use the Concrete Bag Calculator if you want to change the yield, waste factor, bag price, or project dimensions. This guide is the quick 80 lb bag answer for one cubic yard.

For a broader bag-size comparison, see the Concrete Bags per Yard Guide. If you are working from a slab size, the 80 lb Concrete Bag Calculator has more coverage examples. If you need the one-bag yield first, start with how much concrete an 80 lb bag makes.

Quick answer

Common planning estimate:

Always check the yield printed on the actual bag you plan to buy. Specialty mixes, fast-setting mixes, and local products can vary.

Formula

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.

80 lb bags per yard = 27 cubic feet / 0.60 cubic feet per bag
80 lb bags per yard = 45 bags

If you include waste:

bags to buy = round up(45 x (1 + waste percentage))

With 10% waste:

45 x 1.10 = 49.5
round up to 50 bags

Waste factor examples

For simple forms, 5% to 10% waste is a practical planning range. Use more if the base is uneven, the forms vary in depth, or running short would be costly.

How much does one yard weigh in bags?

One cubic yard using 45 bags of 80 lb mix is:

45 x 80 lb = 3,600 lb of dry mix

With 10% waste, 50 bags is:

50 x 80 lb = 4,000 lb of dry mix

That weight is before water and does not include moving, opening, mixing, and placing each bag. At one cubic yard, it is worth comparing bagged concrete with ready-mix delivery using the Ready-Mix vs Bags Calculator.

Cost example

If one 80 lb bag costs $5.50:

45 bags x $5.50 = $247.50 before waste
50 bags x $5.50 = $275.00 with 10% waste

That is material cost only. It does not include tax, tools, mixer rental, base material, reinforcement, delivery fees, labor, or cleanup.

For a fuller cost check, use the Concrete Cost Calculator after you know your bag count.

80 lb bags vs ready-mix

Bagged concrete can make sense for small jobs, remote areas, tight access, and projects where delivery fees would dominate the cost. It becomes less practical when the bag count is high or the pour needs to be placed and finished quickly.

One yard is a borderline case for many DIY pours. It may be possible with a portable mixer and enough help, but 45 to 50 bags is a lot of handling. For two or more yards, ready-mix is often easier to place consistently.

FAQ

How many 80 lb bags are in one cubic yard of concrete?

Using a common 0.60 cubic foot yield, one cubic yard takes about 45 bags of 80 lb concrete mix before waste.

How many 80 lb bags should I buy for one yard with waste?

With a 10% waste factor, buy about 50 bags of 80 lb concrete mix for one cubic yard.

How many cubic feet are in an 80 lb bag of concrete?

An 80 lb bag commonly yields about 0.60 cubic feet of mixed concrete. Check the product bag because yield can vary by mix.

Is one yard of concrete too much to mix from bags?

It depends on access, help, tools, and timing. One yard can mean 45 to 50 80 lb bags, so compare ready-mix delivery before committing to bagged concrete.

Next step

Open the Concrete Bag Calculator to calculate your exact bag count, waste, and material cost. Then compare the result with the Ready-Mix vs Bags Calculator before buying.