How many 60lb bags of concrete do I need?

Each 60lb bag yields 0.45 cubic feet. Divide your total volume in cubic feet by 0.45. For a 10×10 slab at 4 inches: 33.3 ft³ ÷ 0.45 = 74 bags, plus 10% waste = 82 bags.

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

It takes 45 bags of 80lb concrete to fill one cubic yard. Each 80lb bag yields 0.60 cubic feet, and 27 ÷ 0.60 = 45 bags.

What size bag of concrete should I buy?

80lb bags give the best cost per cubic foot and are the most common choice. 60lb bags are easier for one person to handle all day. 40lb bags work best for small repairs and limited-mobility situations.

Is bagged concrete cheaper than ready-mix?

For pours under 1 cubic yard, bagged concrete is usually cheaper because you avoid delivery and short-load fees. Over 2–3 yards, ready-mix almost always wins on total cost.

How much water do I add per bag of concrete?

A 60lb bag needs about 1.5 quarts of water. An 80lb bag needs about 2 quarts. Add water gradually — too much water significantly weakens the finished concrete.

Can I mix concrete bags by hand?

Yes for small batches. Use a hoe in a wheelbarrow or trough. For more than 10 bags, a drill with a mortar paddle attachment saves considerable effort. For 20+ bags, rent a barrel mixer.

What is the difference between Quikrete and Sakrete?

Both are high-quality concrete bag brands available at Home Depot and Lowes. Quikrete has the widest product selection nationally. Sakrete is comparable quality. Both produce approximately 3000–4000 PSI concrete.

How long does bagged concrete take to set?

Standard bagged concrete sets firm in 24–48 hours and reaches full cure strength at 28 days. Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete sets in 20–40 minutes — ideal for fence posts using the dry-pour method.

Quikrete Calculator: Bags, Yards & Cost

Concrete Bag Calculator

Length (feet)

Width (feet)

Thickness (inches)

Waste Factor

Price per 60 lb bag ($)

Price per 80 lb bag ($)

Bags Needed by Size

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0.30 ft³ / bag

★ Best Value

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0.45 ft³ / bag

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0.60 ft³ / bag

Total Volume

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ft³

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cubic yards

Shopping List — Best Option (80 lb Bags)

Concrete Mix 80 lb (Quikrete / Sakrete)

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Water needed (approx.)

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Mixing method

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⚠️ Add 10% to your bag count before purchasing. It's better to return an unopened bag than to run short mid-project.

Bag Size Comparison

Bag Size	Yield	Bags/yd³	Approx. Price	Best For
40 lb	0.30 ft³	90 bags	~$4.50	Small patches, limited mobility
60 lb	0.45 ft³	60 bags	~$5.98	Solo work, walkways, fence posts
80 lb	0.60 ft³	45 bags	~$7.28	Slabs, driveways — best value

Buying Concrete Bags: What You Need to Know

Bag sizes, mixing methods, and how to avoid the most expensive beginner mistakes

Which Bag Size Is Right for You?

80 lb bags give the best value per cubic foot but require two hands and a strong back. 60 lb bags are the best balance of cost and manageability — one person can handle them comfortably all day. 40 lb bags are best for tight spaces, seniors, or anyone with back limitations. For large projects, 80 lb bags mean fewer trips and less mixing time.

Quikrete vs. Sakrete vs. Generic

Quikrete is the most widely available concrete bag brand in North America and offers the broadest product line — standard, fast-setting, high-strength, crack-resistant, and fiber-reinforced formulas. Sakrete is a comparable quality product common in the eastern U.S. Store-brand bags from Home Depot or Lowes are typically the same quality at a lower price. All produce a nominal 3000–4000 PSI mix.

Mixing Methods by Project Size

1–5 Bags

Hand mix in a wheelbarrow or trough with a hoe. Fastest setup, works fine for small patches, post holes, and repairs.

5–20 Bags

Drill with a mortar paddle attachment (Amazon, ~$25). Dramatically reduces fatigue compared to hand mixing. Mix 2–3 bags per batch.

20+ Bags

Rent a barrel mixer from Home Depot, Lowes, or a local rental shop (~$50–$80/day). Handles 2–3 bags per batch, continuous operation.

⚠️ The #1 bag concrete mistake: Adding too much water. More water makes mixing easier but dramatically weakens the finished concrete. The correct consistency looks like thick peanut butter — stiff enough to hold its shape but workable. If it flows freely, it's too wet.

Quikrete Product Guide — Which Bag to Buy

Not all Quikrete bags are the same. Here is exactly which product to use for each project type.

Quikrete Product	Bag Sizes	Coverage (80lb)	Best For	Set Time
Concrete Mix (#1101)	40, 60, 80 lb	0.60 cu ft	Slabs, driveways, footings	24–48 hrs walkable
Fast-Setting (#1004)	50 lb	0.375 cu ft	Fence posts, mailboxes	20–40 min
5000 High Early (#1007)	80 lb	0.60 cu ft	High-strength slabs, cold weather	Walk in 10–12 hrs
Mortar Mix (#1102)	60, 80 lb	varies	Block laying, tuck-pointing	24 hrs
Sand/Topping Mix (#1103)	40, 60 lb	varies	Repairs, overlays under 2"	24 hrs

Quikrete Bags Per Cubic Yard — All Sizes

How many bags you need to equal one cubic yard of concrete

40 lb bags

bags per cubic yard

0.30 cu ft per bag. Most expensive option per yard — use only for very small patches.

60 lb bags

bags per cubic yard

0.45 cu ft per bag. Good for solo work — lighter to carry than 80lb.

80 lb bags

bags per cubic yard

0.60 cu ft per bag. Best value. Most common choice for DIY projects.

How to Mix Quikrete Correctly

The most common mistakes that ruin a pour — and how to avoid them

Water Ratio

Use 3 quarts (0.75 gallons) per 80lb bag. Adding too much water is the #1 DIY mistake — it weakens the concrete significantly. The mix should look like thick oatmeal. If it pours like soup, you added too much water and your finished slab will crack.

Mixing Method

For 1–4 bags: use a mortar tub and mixing hoe. For 5–15 bags: rent a 3.5 cubic foot electric mixer ($35–50/day). Over 15 bags: strongly consider ready-mix delivery. Hand-mixing 20+ bags is exhausting and the mix quality suffers when you rush the later bags.

Temperature matters too. Do not pour when temperatures are below 40°F or above 90°F without special precautions. In cold weather, use hot water in the mix and cover with insulating blankets. In hot weather, dampen the base and forms before pouring, and mist the surface for the first 24 hours to slow curing.

🚛 Truck Payload Reality Check

Concrete weighs 4,000 lbs per cubic yard. Here is what your truck can legally carry.

2026 Truck	Max Payload	Concrete Capacity	Bag Capacity (80lb)
Toyota Tacoma (standard)	1,521 lbs	~0.38 cu yd	~18 bags
Toyota Tacoma (i-FORCE MAX)	1,705 lbs	~0.42 cu yd	~21 bags
Ford F-150 (PowerBoost Hybrid)	1,740 lbs	~0.43 cu yd	~21 bags
Ford F-150 (5.0L V8)	2,235 lbs	~0.55 cu yd	~27 bags
Ford F-150 (3.5L EcoBoost)	2,440 lbs	~0.61 cu yd	~30 bags
3/4-ton (F-250, Silverado 2500)	3,500+ lbs	~0.87 cu yd	~43 bags

*Payload values from 2026 manufacturer specs. Your actual payload is on the door-jamb sticker. Add accessories (toolbox, bedliner) and that number drops 100-300 lbs. A driver and passenger count against payload too.

If your project needs more than 1 cubic yard (4,000 lbs), pickup-truck delivery requires multiple trips. For 2+ cubic yards, ready-mix delivery is almost always cheaper than the gas, time, and suspension wear of multiple bag runs. Most ready-mix trucks deliver 8-10 yards in one trip.

Concrete Bags FAQ

Everything you need to know before heading to the hardware store