Sand Quantity Calculator
Find how much sand you need for concrete, plaster or masonry in cubic feet, cubic metres, tonnes and tractor loads.
Inputs
Formula
- Dry volume = wet volume × 1.54 (concrete) or × 1.30 (mortar)
- Sand = dry volume × sand part ÷ sum of parts
- Weight = volume × 1600 kg/m³
Sand and cement lose volume when mixed with water, so the dry material needed is always more than the finished volume — 54% more for concrete and about 30% more for mortar and plaster. Split the dry volume in the ratio of the mix and the sand share is what you order. Loose river sand weighs about 1,600 kg per cubic metre.
Step-by-step calculation
- 1
Dry volume
wet × 1.54
15.4 m³
- 2
Sand share
dry × 1.5/5.5
4.2 m³
- 3
Weight
volume × 1600 kg/m³
6,720 kg
Worked example
- 110 m³ of M20 concrete → dry volume = 10 × 1.54 = 15.4 m³.
- 2Sand part = 1.5 of (1 + 1.5 + 3) = 5.5 → 15.4 × 1.5/5.5 = 4.2 m³.
- 3Weight = 4.2 × 1600 ≈ 6.7 tonnes.
Tips
- Order 5% extra for spillage and for sand left in the pit.
- Wet sand bulks up to 25% — measure after it has drained or you will be short.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet is one tractor of sand?
A standard tractor trolley carries about 100 cu ft (2.83 m³); a tipper carries 300–400 cu ft.
Why multiply by 1.54?
Dry cement, sand and aggregate have voids. When water is added the mix compacts, so you need about 54% more loose material than the finished concrete volume.
Can I use M-sand?
Yes. Quantities are the same; manufactured sand is slightly heavier at about 1,750 kg/m³.
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