Concrete Bag Calculator
Bags Needed by Size
| 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 |
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 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.
Quikrete Product Guide -- Which Bag to Buy
| 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 to Mix Quikrete Correctly
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.
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.
Material Delivery Guide
| 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.
Quikrete Calculator Chart -- Bag Counts by Project
Quick-reference chart for standard Quikrete 80lb bag yields (0.60 cu ft each):
| Project (4-inch slab) | Volume | 80 lb Bags | 60 lb Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×4 ft (16 sq ft) | 5.3 cu ft | 10 bags | 14 bags |
| 10×10 ft patio (100 sq ft) | 33.3 cu ft | 62 bags | 83 bags |
| 10×20 ft slab (200 sq ft) | 66.7 cu ft | 123 bags | 165 bags |
| 12×20 ft driveway (240 sq ft) | 80.0 cu ft | 148 bags | 197 bags |
| 20×20 ft garage (400 sq ft) | 133.3 cu ft | 247 bags | 329 bags |
All bag counts include the 10% wastage buffer. For Quikrete Fast-Setting (the red bag used for fence posts), use 50 lb bag math: each bag yields about 0.375 cu ft. For Quikrete High-Strength 5000 PSI (the gray bag), yield is identical to standard at 0.60 cu ft per 80 lb bag.