How to compare costs
- Enter your project's size above. The calculator works out the order quantity and bags.
- Under "Compare costs with your local prices", enter the price of one bag (for the bag size you chose) and the ready-mix price per cubic yard.
- Add any delivery, short-load and pump fees your supplier quotes.
- The two totals appear side by side, with the difference.
We don't show default prices. Concrete costs change with region, season and supplier, and a national average could be badly wrong for you. Two quick calls and a look at your local store's shelf price will give you real numbers in a few minutes.
How the comparison is calculated
Bags: number of bags (including your waste allowance, rounded up) × price per bag.
Ready-mix: order quantity (rounded up to the supplier's increment) × price per cubic yard, plus every fee you entered.
Both sides use the same volume, so the comparison is fair. One cubic yard equals 45 80-lb bags or 60 60-lb bags, based on QUIKRETE's published yields. If a bag costs more than 1/45 of a cubic yard of ready-mix, ready-mix is cheaper for the concrete itself, before fees.
What to price for common slabs
The quantities to ask about, with 10% extra. Multiply by your local prices, or enter them above.
| Slab | Ready-mix order, yd³ | 80-lb bags | 60-lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 8 ft at 4 in | 1 | 40 | 53 |
| 10 × 10 ft at 4 in | 1.5 | 62 | 82 |
| 12 × 12 ft at 4 in | 2 | 88 | 118 |
| 16 × 16 ft at 4 in | 3.5 | 157 | 209 |
| 20 × 20 ft at 4 in | 5.5 | 245 | 326 |
Things that change the cost
- Small orders. Ask the supplier their minimum order and what they charge below it. Enter that as the short-load fee.
- Access. If the truck can't reach the pour, you may need a pump or a lot of wheelbarrow trips. Ask about pump hire and add it.
- Truck size. Trucks carry 8 to 12 yd³ (NRMCA). A big pour may need more than one load, each with its own delivery charge.
- Your time and tools. Bags need a mixer or a lot of shoveling. If you'd rent a mixer, add it to the bag price per bag, or compare totals in your head.
- Leftovers. The order includes extra for waste; bags let you buy only what you use if you work in batches.
Questions people ask
How do I compare bags and ready-mix?
Enter the price of one bag and the ready-mix price per cubic yard, plus any delivery, short-load and pump fees. The calculator multiplies each by the amount you need and shows both totals side by side.
Why doesn't the calculator show prices?
Concrete prices vary a lot by region, season and supplier, and we don't want to show a number that's wrong for you. Check a local store and call one or two ready-mix suppliers, then enter what they quote.
What fees do ready-mix suppliers charge?
Ask about delivery, small or short-load charges for orders under the supplier's minimum, waiting time if the truck has to wait, and pump hire if the truck can't reach the pour. Enter any that apply.
How many bags equal one cubic yard?
45 80-lb bags or 60 60-lb bags, based on QUIKRETE's published yields. Multiply by the bag price to compare with a cubic yard of ready-mix.
Related calculators
Sources
- QUIKRETE Concrete Mix No. 1101 product data sheet, retrieved October 2, 2026
- NRMCA, Concrete in Practice 31: Ordering Ready Mixed Concrete, retrieved October 2, 2026
Last updated October 2, 2026. Read how we calculate, including formulas, waste defaults and rounding.