Sand Quantity Calculator
Work out how much sand (fine aggregate) a job needs. Enter the volume, pick a concrete grade or mortar / plaster ratio, and get the indicative sand in cubic metres, cubic feet and tonnes.
The finished (wet / in-place) volume of concrete, mortar or plaster.
For 1 m3 of the M20 concrete (1:1.5:3) mix.
Uses a 1.54 dry-volume factor and sand at ~1600 kg/m3. Sand is often sold by the tonne or the load — allow for wastage and bulking.
Indicative only. Sand density and moisture (bulking) vary, so tonnage is approximate. For structural concrete the mix is a design mix specified by a licensed engineer to IS 456 — confirm quantities and the sand grade with your engineer or contractor before ordering.
Related Guides — Deep-dive reading
Sand for Construction in India: Types, Quality and How to Choose (2026)
A homeowner-and-builder guide to the fine aggregate that fills every concrete, mortar and plaster mix - river sand, M-sand, pit and crushed stone sand, the grading zones and silt limits that decide quality, why river-sand mining is restricted, and which sand to specify for which job.
Building MaterialsThe Complete Building Materials Buying Guide (India) (2026)
The capstone of the Building Materials hub - a stage-by-stage buying process (estimate, specify, shortlist, compare, verify, store) plus how to buy well in every material category, the mistakes that cost the most, and a smart-buyer checklist that routes to every deep guide and calculator.
Building MaterialsM-Sand vs River Sand in India: A Head-to-Head Comparison for Concrete and Plaster (2026)
Manufactured sand or natural river sand? This guide sets the two side by side across grain shape, grading, water demand, strength, cracking risk, legality, cost and sustainability, then tells you honestly where each one wins and how many sites use both.
Building MaterialsRelated Tools — You may also find these useful
Aggregate Quantity Calculator
The coarse aggregate (jelly / crushed stone) a concrete volume needs, in cubic metres, cubic feet and tonnes, by nominal grade.
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How many 50 kg cement bags a concrete, mortar or plaster volume needs, from the mix ratio — plus sand and aggregate.
Material CalculatorConcrete Mix Ratio Calculator
The nominal mix breakdown for a concrete grade - cement:sand:aggregate ratio with bags, sand, aggregate and water.
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