CONCRETE BAG
CALCULATOR.

For DIY projects under 200 square feet. Calculate exact bag count, total weight, and material cost — plus when DIY actually saves money vs hiring it out.

Your Project

Enter project dimensions OR direct cubic feet/yards.

Input Type

Length

Width

Depth

Bag Size

For projects over 200 sqft or 1 cubic yard, ready-mix delivered is almost always cheaper. We can advise.

Bags You Need

12 cubic feet

Volume

0.44

12.0 cubic feet

40 lb Bags

40 bags

1,600 lbs total

60 lb Bags

27 bags

1,620 lbs total

80 lb Bags

20 bags

1,600 lbs total

Material Cost (Bags)

$140 – $190

Hardware-store premix runs $4-$6 per 60lb bag, $5-$7 per 80lb. Add ~10% extra bags for waste.

Or Ready-Mix Delivered

$210 – $260

Ready-mix at $130-170/cy + $150 short-load fee. Worth it above ~1 cubic yard for time and quality.

Or Have Us Do It →

Pro Tip

Bags work for footings, post-setting, and small repair patches. For anything over a cubic yard, ready-mix is faster, cheaper per yard, and produces a better slab.

Bag Calculator FAQ

PREMIX BAG QUESTIONS.

How much concrete is in each bag?

Yields are: 40lb bag = 0.30 cubic feet, 60lb bag = 0.45 cubic feet, 80lb bag = 0.60 cubic feet. So one cubic yard of concrete = ~90 × 40lb bags, or 60 × 60lb, or 45 × 80lb.

When should I use bags vs ready-mix?

Bags work for: post footings, fence posts, small slabs under 30-50 sqft, repairs. Ready-mix wins for: anything over 1 cubic yard (~30+ bags of 60lb), driveways, patios, or anywhere you can't pour fast enough by hand.

How many bags should I buy extra?

Add 10% for waste. Add 15% if you're a first-time DIYer. It's cheaper to return bags than to run out mid-pour.

Quikrete vs Sakrete vs other brands?

Major brands are equivalent for residential use. Standard premix (4000 psi) handles almost any DIY job. High-strength (5000+ psi) is for structural use.

How much water per bag?

Roughly 0.75-1 gallon per 80lb bag, 0.5-0.75 gallon per 60lb. Add water gradually — too much water dramatically weakens concrete. Mix should be like thick oatmeal.

Can I mix bags by hand?

Up to ~5 bags, yes (mortar tub or wheelbarrow + hoe). Beyond that, rent an electric mixer. Hand-mixing more than 5 bags inconsistently mixes the concrete and weakens the cure.

CONCRETE BAGCALCULATOR.