Show the math
- Convert to base units: Concrete needed (net) 2 yd³ = 54 ft³
- Order quantity = 2 yd³ × (1 + 10%) = 2.2 yd³
- Ready-mix = 2.2 × $150 + $0 delivery + $100 short load = $430
- Bags = 59.4 ft³ ÷ 0.6 ft³ per 80 lb bag = 99 → 99 bags
- Bagged = 99 × $6.5 = $643.5
How to measure
Start with the volume you need. If you came from another calculator, the Project Kit carried it here in cubic yards. Then enter the ready-mix price per cubic yard from your quote, plus the delivery fee and the short-load fee if the plant charges them.
For bags, enter the size and the price at the store. Prices vary by store and by pallet quantity, so use the number on your receipt or shelf tag.
What goes into the cost
Ready-mix is priced per cubic yard, with extras. At the time of writing, published ranges for delivered ready-mix are around $125 to $195 per yard. Delivery is sometimes included and sometimes charged as a flat fee of up to about $200. Orders below roughly 7 yd³ commonly carry a short-load fee, around $50 to $200. Prices last verified 2026-10-04; they vary a great deal by region, so treat them as context and use your own quotes.
Bagged concrete is priced per bag. An 80 lb bag is around $5.5 to $8. Because there are 45 bags in a yard, a yard of bagged concrete costs far more than a yard from a truck: $248 to $360 per yard in material alone.
Prices last verified: 2026-10-04. Ranges only: confirm with local suppliers.
Worked example: 2.2 yd³ with default prices
- Convert to base units: Concrete needed (net) 2 yd³ = 54 ft³
- Order quantity = 2 yd³ × (1 + 10%) = 2.2 yd³
- Ready-mix = 2.2 × $150 + $0 delivery + $100 short load = $430
- Bags = 59.4 ft³ ÷ 0.6 ft³ per 80 lb bag = 99 → 99 bags
- Bagged = 99 × $6.5 = $643.5
With the default prices on this page ($150 per yard, $100 short load, $6.50 per 80 lb bag) the result is: Ready-mix looks cheaper, $430, versus $644 for the other route (materials and delivery only). The result card also shows both totals, the cost per yard of each route and the break-even volume.
Cost per yard by bag size
| Bag | Bags per yd³ | Price per bag | Cost per yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 lb | 45 | $5.50–$8.00 | $248–$360 |
| 60 lb | 60 | $5.00–$7.00 | $300–$420 |
| 50 lb | 72 | $4.50–$6.50 | $324–$468 |
| 40 lb | 90 | $3.75–$5.50 | $338–$495 |
80 lb range is anchored on retail listings seen on 2026-10-04 ($5.38 at pallet quantity to $6.56 per bag). The 40, 50 and 60 lb ranges are estimates scaled from it - check your local store.
The break-even point
Bags cost far more per yard but have no minimums or delivery. Ready-mix is cheaper per yard but has fixed costs: the delivery fee and the short-load fee. The break-even is the volume where the two totals are equal. Below it bags win on price, above it the truck wins. The calculator solves this for your prices. Even when bags are slightly cheaper, the labor of mixing 45 bags per yard decides most people’s choice above a yard or two.
Costs the calculator does not include
- Forms, stakes and release agent.
- Gravel base, vapor barrier and compaction.
- Rebar, mesh and chairs (use the rebar calculator and gravel base calculator).
- Labor, finishing tools and curing compound.
- Pump trucks, wheelbarrows or mixer rental.
- Permits, demolition and disposal.
- Taxes and fuel surcharges.
Getting a better quote
Ask at least two plants for a delivered price including all fees, the minimum load and the cost per extra yard. Ask whether weather or Saturday delivery changes the price, and whether a pump is needed. The checklist in how to order ready-mix concrete covers what to tell the plant. For the full comparison between the two routes see bagged vs ready-mix concrete.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of concrete cost?
Published ranges for delivered ready-mix are about $125 to $195 per yard before extras. Last verified 2026-10-04. Local quotes decide.
What is a short-load fee?
A charge on small ready-mix orders, commonly under about 7 yd³, because the truck, driver and plant time cost the same for a small order. It is often quoted at $50 to $200.
Is bagged or ready-mix concrete cheaper?
Ready-mix is cheaper per yard once you pass the minimum order. Bags are cheaper only for very small jobs where delivery fees would dominate.
How many bags are in a yard of concrete?
About 45 bags of 80 lb mix, 60 of 60 lb mix, 72 of 50 lb mix and 90 of 40 lb mix.
Does the estimate include labor?
No. It covers concrete material and delivery only. Labor, forms, base and finishing are extra.
Where do the default prices come from?
They are placeholders you replace with your own quotes. The ranges quoted in the text come from published guides and retail listings listed under Sources.
Sources
- Concrete Calculate - How Much Does Concrete Cost Per Yard Delivered? (2026)
- Concrete Network - concrete cost overview (2025 average about $180 per cubic yard)
- AllConcreteCalculator - concrete delivery cost and short-load fees (May 2026)
- Home Depot - Quikrete 80 lb. Concrete Mix, model 110180
- QUIKRETE Concrete Mix No. 1101 data sheet (bag yields)
Estimate only. Results depend on the numbers you enter, ground conditions and your supplier. For structural work consult a licensed engineer and follow local codes. Brand names such as Quikrete and Sakrete are used only to cite published product data. This site is not affiliated with any brand.