Workshop guide
Bags vs ready-mix concrete: which to buy
Compare concrete bags and ready-mix using your project quantity, actual product yield, and local quotes. Download a purchase sheet for the next step.
Put both options on the same quantity basis
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. At the approximate 0.60 cu ft yield stated for an 80 lb bag of QUIKRETE Concrete Mix No. 1101, that is 45 bags before any extra allowance. Use the yield on your chosen product's label; bag weight alone does not establish its yield. Source: QUIKRETE product data.
Ready-mix is bought by volume. Take the calculator's volume, including your stated allowance, to the supplier and ask them to confirm the quantity they will supply and bill. Source: NRMCA, About Concrete.
Compare complete local quotes
Record the supplier, quote date, quantity, and what each price includes. Leave unquoted costs marked “to confirm” so a missing delivery or equipment charge does not look like zero.
| Compare | Bags | Ready-mix |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Whole bags × the current price for that product and bag size. | Supplier-confirmed quantity × quoted unit price, or the supplier's total quote. |
| Delivery | Pickup or delivery charge and unloading arrangements. | Delivery, minimum-load or short-load charges, and any other applicable fees. |
| Equipment and help | Mixing equipment, transport, and labor for handling, mixing, and placement. | Placement equipment and labor, including any access arrangements agreed with the supplier. |
| Timing | Stock availability, equipment rental period, and your crew's schedule. | Delivery slot, included unloading time, waiting charges, and cancellation terms. |
Minimum-load policies and extra charges are supplier-specific. For example, Ozinga asks customers to confirm their order with dispatch, which provides the price. Ask your supplier for its terms rather than assuming a nationwide minimum. Source: Ozinga ordering FAQ.
Prepare your purchase or quote sheet
- Enter the rectangular dimensions and depth from your project in the calculator below. Set the waste allowance once.
- Select bags or ready-mix. For bags, enter the actual package yield. For ready-mix, record the supplier-confirmed quantity when you receive it.
- Add the product, supplier, and useful project notes. For a delivery quote, include your location, requested date, and site access details.
- Download the purchase PDF in Letter or A4. Check the selected method and assumptions before taking it to the store or sharing it with a supplier.
The supplier needs project-specific information to arrange the mix and delivery. Use requirements already established for your project; a volume estimate does not determine the mix, structural design, or placement plan. Source: NRMCA's guide to ordering ready-mixed concrete.
If the store has a different product, update the package yield on your shopping list. You can also open the concrete calculator directly.
Sources checked September 8, 2026. The bag example uses the named product's published yield. Costs, availability, and final order quantities require your current local quotes.
For rectangular volumes. Use the depth specified for your project; this calculator estimates material quantity, not structural design.
Quantities to confirm
Concrete purchase sheet
The starting yield is an example for this bag size. Replace it with the product label; bag weight alone does not determine yield.
- 80 lb bags44 cu ft with allowance ÷ 0.6 cu ft per bag; rounded up.
- 74bags
What this estimate assumes
- Raw volume: 40 cu ft. Waste allowance: 10%.
- Rectangular volume only; the entered depth comes from your design.
- Bag yield entered: 0.6 cu ft/bag. Whole bags provide 0.4 cu ft above the volume with allowance.
- Only the selected supply method is listed; alternatives are not added together.
Name your project & add notes Optional
Includes your quantities, assumptions and space to record the supplier, confirmed quantity, quote and delivery. No account required.
How to check this list before buyingCompare standard bag sizes and volume
Material totals
1 cu yd = 27 cu ft. Bag counts are rounded up to whole bags; volumes are displayed to two decimal places. The two bag sizes are alternatives.
Concrete shopping list
Choose one supply method; do not add these quantities together.
Yield assumptions: one 80lb bag = 0.6 cu ft; one 60lb bag = 0.45 cu ft. Check the actual bag label; products can differ.
The volumes above include the stated waste allowance. Confirm yield, ready-mix ordering increments and delivery requirements with your supplier before purchasing.
BuildTotals.com · Prepared: __________ · buildtotals.com/tools/concrete-calculator
Frequently asked questions
How many 80 lb concrete bags are in a cubic yard?
At the approximate 0.60 cubic feet per bag stated for QUIKRETE Concrete Mix No. 1101, 27 cubic feet requires 45 bags before any extra allowance. Other products can have different yields. Use the actual product label or technical data sheet.
Is ready-mix always cheaper than bags?
No. Compare local quotes for the same project, including delivery, minimum-load or short-load charges, equipment, and labor. There is no single volume that makes ready-mix cheaper for every project.
Can I order the ready-mix volume shown by the calculator?
Use it to request a quote, then confirm the final order quantity and ordering increments with your supplier. Record the supplier-confirmed quantity separately from the calculated volume. The calculator does not choose a concrete mix or determine structural requirements.