Ready-Mix vs Bagged Concrete: Which Is Cheaper?
Ready-mix vs bagged concrete is a decision every DIY concrete project faces. Bagged concrete is convenient and cheap for small jobs like fence posts, steps, and tiny pads. Ready-mix, delivered by truck, is usually the better value once a project reaches about a cubic yard or more, and it gives more consistent strength. The break-even point depends on local prices, short-load fees, and how much labor you want to do yourself.
Concrete calculator →How much is a cubic yard in bags?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Common bag yields:
| Bag size | Approximate yield | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | About 0.3 cu ft | About 90 |
| 60 lb | About 0.45 cu ft | About 60 |
| 80 lb | About 0.6 cu ft | About 45 |
That means a single yard of concrete is roughly 3,600 pounds of bags to lift, haul, and mix. See bags of concrete in a yard for more detail.
Cost comparison
Bag prices vary by brand and region, but 45 bags at typical retail prices often cost more than a yard of ready-mix. The catch is that small ready-mix orders carry delivery charges and short-load fees, which can make a one-yard delivery expensive per yard. Compare:
- Bag cost: number of bags times the price per bag, plus mixer rental if needed.
- Ready-mix cost: price per yard times yards, plus delivery and short-load fees.
- Labor and time: mixing 45 bags by hand or with a small mixer takes hours.
For many projects, the crossover lands somewhere around half a yard to one yard.
When bagged concrete makes sense
- Fence posts, mailbox posts, and deck footings.
- Small pads, such as an AC pad or a trash can pad.
- Repairs and patches.
- Places a truck cannot reach.
- Projects poured in stages over several days.
When ready-mix makes sense
- Slabs, driveways, and patios over about a yard.
- Pours that must be placed in one continuous operation to avoid cold joints.
- Jobs needing specific strength, air entrainment, or fibers.
- Times when labor is scarce.
Quality differences
Ready-mix is batched by weight at a plant, so strength and consistency are predictable, and options like air entrainment and fibers are easy to add. Bagged concrete is consistent from bag to bag, but hand mixing often leads to adding too much water or uneven batches. Mixing many bags for one slab can also leave visible seams if batches set at different times.
Middle-ground options
- Mini-mix or trailer services deliver smaller quantities, sometimes with lower minimums.
- Volumetric mixer trucks mix on site and charge only for what is used.
- Renting a towable mixer speeds up bagged work.
Bottom line
For ready-mix vs bagged concrete, use bags for posts, patches, and small pads under about half a yard to a yard, and order ready-mix for larger slabs where consistency and labor matter. Compare total costs including fees and your time. Get the volume first with the concrete calculator.
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to buy bagged concrete or ready-mix?
Bags are often cheaper for very small jobs. Ready-mix usually wins above about half a yard to one yard, depending on fees.
How many 80 lb bags make a yard of concrete?
About 45 bags, since each yields roughly 0.6 cubic feet.
Is bagged concrete as strong as ready-mix?
Bagged concrete is rated for strength, but hand mixing with extra water can reduce it. Ready-mix is more consistent.
What is a short-load fee?
An extra charge for ready-mix orders below a plant’s minimum, often a few yards.
Can I mix bagged concrete for a driveway?
It is possible but labor-intensive and risks cold joints. Ready-mix is usually better for driveways.
Related guides
- How Many Bags of Concrete in a Yard? 40, 60, 80 lb
- Concrete Short Load Fee: What It Is and How to Cut It
- Concrete Cost per Yard: Ready-Mix Prices and Add-Ons
- Concrete Mix Ratio: Cement, Sand, Gravel, and Water
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