How many 80lb bags of concrete per cubic yard?

45 eighty-pound bags — each yields about 0.60 cubic feet, and 45 × 0.60 = 27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard.

How many 60lb bags equal a cubic yard?

60 sixty-pound bags. Each 60-lb bag yields about 0.45 cubic feet, so 60 × 0.45 = 27 cubic feet.

How many 40lb bags per cubic yard?

90 forty-pound bags at 0.30 cubic feet of yield each.

How many cubic feet does an 80lb bag of concrete yield?

About 0.60 cubic feet (roughly 0.022 cubic yards). Check the bag — some mixes yield 0.55–0.66.

Should I buy bags or order ready-mix for 2 cubic yards?

Two cubic yards is about 90 eighty-pound bags — near the point where a ready-mix short load is often cheaper and far less labor. Price both.

Guide

How Many Bags of Concrete Are in a Cubic Yard?

One cubic yard of concrete (27 cubic feet) requires 45 × 80-lb bags, 60 × 60-lb bags, or 90 × 40-lb bags. An 80-lb bag yields about 0.60 cubic feet, a 60-lb bag about 0.45, and a 40-lb bag about 0.30 — so bags = 27 ÷ yield per bag. The chart below scales the math to 2, 3, and 5 cubic yards.

Key Takeaways

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet of concrete.
45 × 80-lb bags (0.60 cu ft yield each).
60 × 60-lb bags (0.45 cu ft yield each).
90 × 40-lb bags (0.30 cu ft yield each).
Bags = cubic yards × 27 ÷ yield per bag.

Calculate Your Concrete

How to Calculate Bags per Cubic Yard

Bagged concrete is sold by weight, but projects are measured by volume. Convert your volume to cubic feet, then divide by what one bag yields.

1Convert cubic yards to cubic feet: 1 yd³ × 27 = 27 cu ft.
2Check one bag’s yield: 0.60 cu ft (80-lb), 0.45 cu ft (60-lb), 0.30 cu ft (40-lb).
3Divide: 27 ÷ 0.60 = 45 bags of 80-lb concrete.
4Always round up — you cannot buy a fraction of a bag.
5Add 5–10% extra for spillage, uneven forms, and over-excavation.

The Bags-per-Cubic-Yard Formula

Yields are printed on the bag and vary slightly by mix and manufacturer. When in doubt, use the bag’s stated yield instead of these averages.

Bags = 27 ÷ Yield per bag (cu ft)

Worked Example: 2 Cubic Yards

Full math for 2 cubic yards, plus a chart for 1, 3, and 5 cubic yards.

Step 1

Volume: 2 yd³ × 27 = 54 cu ft.

Step 2

80-lb bags: 54 ÷ 0.60 = 90 bags.

Step 3

60-lb bags: 54 ÷ 0.45 = 120 bags.

Step 4

40-lb bags: 54 ÷ 0.30 = 180 bags.

Step 5

With 10% extra: 99 / 132 / 198 bags.

Cubic yards	80-lb bags	60-lb bags	40-lb bags
1 yd³	45	60	90
2 yd³	90	120	180
3 yd³	135	180	270
5 yd³	225	300	450

Common Mistakes

Confusing bag weight with bag yield — a heavier bag is not proportionally more concrete.
Forgetting that 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, not 3.
Ordering exact with no allowance for spillage and uneven subgrade.
Using 40-lb bag math for 80-lb bags (or vice versa).
Ignoring the yield printed on your specific bag brand.

Practical Tips

For more than about 2 cubic yards, compare bag cost against a ready-mix delivery.
80-lb bags are the cheapest per cubic foot but heavy to handle solo.
Stage bags near the pour — wet concrete waits for no one.
Keep a few extra bags sealed and dry for touch-ups.
Run your exact dimensions through the NOVORY Concrete Calculator.