Bagged Concrete vs Ready-Mix
The lower sticker price is not always the easier or cheaper choice once delivery and handling are included.
Start with the same finished volume
Calculate the pour volume first and apply the same waste allowance to both options. A cubic yard contains 27 ft³. At an actual 0.60 ft³ yield per 80 lb bag, 45 bags make one cubic yard before any extra. Different products may yield differently; use the bag label or technical sheet rather than the printed weight alone.
Compare total quoted costs
Bag material cost = rounded-up bag count × price per bag. Ready-mix material cost = waste-adjusted cubic yards × quoted price per yard. Add delivery, short-load, pump, tax and other supplier fees to the ready-mix quote. The multi-pour calculator compares material prices; the cost per square foot calculator lets you add known fixed fees.
Check the handling load
Sixty-two 80 lb bags weigh 4,960 lb dry. That is a substantial load even before tools, passengers and packaging. Check the vehicle’s actual payload rating on its label, and plan enough trips or delivery. Hand mixing and placing many bags can also affect consistency and timing; ask a supplier or contractor about practical batch size.
Example decision
For a 1.36 yd³ order, 62 bags at $7.50 cost $465 in bag material. Ready-mix at $180/yd³ costs about $245 in material, but a $300 delivery or small-load fee would make the quote about $545 before taxes. The result changes with local prices, fees and the value of labor; obtain the actual supplier quote before deciding.
Bag yield source
The QUIKRETE Concrete Mix data sheet lists approximate finished yields for 40, 60 and 80 lb bags. Confirm the specific product used on your project.
Content and calculator by pourmeasure. Formula and assumption notes: methodology and sources. Updated October 2026. No independent engineering review is claimed.