{
    "name": "Sand Quantity for Mortar Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/sand-quantity-for-mortar-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/sand-quantity-for-mortar-calculator.md",
    "category": "Construction",
    "description": "Work out the sand (volume and weight) and cement bags for a given volume of mortar from the mix ratio, a dry-volume factor and material densities.",
    "summary": "Scale the wet mortar volume by a dry-volume factor (about 1.33), then split it by the cement-to-sand ratio. Sand density turns the volume into tonnes for ordering.",
    "also_called": [
        "Mortar calculator",
        "Mortar mix calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "units",
            "label": "Units",
            "type": "segmented",
            "default": "metric",
            "options": {
                "metric": "Metric",
                "imperial": "Imperial"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "volume",
            "label": "Wet mortar volume",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "1"
        },
        {
            "name": "cement_parts",
            "label": "Cement parts",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "1"
        },
        {
            "name": "sand_parts",
            "label": "Sand parts",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "6"
        },
        {
            "name": "dry_factor",
            "label": "Dry-volume factor",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "1.33"
        },
        {
            "name": "cement_density",
            "label": "Cement bulk density",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "1440",
            "unit": "kg/m³"
        },
        {
            "name": "sand_density",
            "label": "Sand bulk density",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "1600",
            "unit": "kg/m³"
        },
        {
            "name": "bag_kg",
            "label": "Cement bag size",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "50",
            "unit": "kg"
        },
        {
            "name": "waste",
            "label": "Waste allowance",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "0",
            "unit": "%",
            "optional": true
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "sand_m3",
            "label": "Sand",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "sand_ft3",
            "label": "Sand",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "sand_tonnes",
            "label": "Sand weight",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "sand_short_tons",
            "label": "Sand weight",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "cement_kg",
            "label": "Cement",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "bags",
            "label": "Cement bags (rounded up)",
            "format": "integer"
        },
        {
            "key": "dry_volume_m3",
            "label": "Dry volume",
            "format": "number"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "Dry = Wet × (1 + Waste) × Dry factor;  Sand = Dry × s ÷ (c + s);  Cement = Dry × c ÷ (c + s) × Cement density;  Sand mass = Sand × Sand density",
        "variables": {
            "c : s": "cement-to-sand ratio by volume",
            "Dry factor": "extra dry material to fill voids"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "units": "metric",
            "volume": "1",
            "cement_parts": "1",
            "sand_parts": "6",
            "dry_factor": "1.33",
            "cement_density": "1440",
            "sand_density": "1600",
            "bag_kg": "50",
            "waste": "0"
        },
        "steps": [
            "Dry volume = 1 × 1.33 = 1.33 m³.",
            "Sand = 1.33 × 6/7 = 1.14 m³; × 1600 kg/m³ = 1.824 t.",
            "Cement = 1.33 × 1/7 = 0.19 m³ × 1440 = 273.6 kg = 5.47 bags → 6 bags."
        ],
        "result": "One cubic metre of 1:6 mortar needs about 1.14 m³ (1.8 t) of sand and 6 bags of cement."
    },
    "interpretation": "Order sand by weight or by the bulk bag, and allow for damp sand bulking up in volume. Leaner mixes such as 1:6 use more sand and less cement than 1:4.",
    "assumptions": [
        "Dry, loose sand is batched by volume.",
        "Lime or plasticiser, if used, is not included."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Damp sand can bulk by 20–30% in volume, so a gauge box of damp sand holds less sand than it seems."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "Why is the dry factor lower than for concrete?",
            "answer": "Mortar has no coarse aggregate, so there are fewer large voids; 1.27–1.35 is typical, compared with about 1.54 for concrete."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which ratio should I use?",
            "answer": "It depends on the masonry unit and exposure. 1:6 is common for general brickwork and 1:4 for exposed or load-bearing work; follow your specification or local code."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Brick Quantity Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/brick-quantity-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Wall Plastering Quantity Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/wall-plastering-quantity-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Cement Bags for Concrete Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/cement-bags-for-concrete-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Ratio Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/ratio-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": "Quantities are estimates. Confirm requirements with your engineer or supplier before ordering materials.",
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}