# Sand Quantity for Mortar Calculator

> 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.

Category: Construction · Applies to: Worldwide · Last updated: 2026-10-29
Interactive calculator: https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/sand-quantity-for-mortar-calculator

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.

## Inputs
- Units (options: Metric, Imperial; default metric)
- Wet mortar volume (default 1)
- Cement parts (default 1)
- Sand parts (default 6)
- Dry-volume factor (default 1.33)
- Cement bulk density (unit kg/m³; default 1440)
- Sand bulk density (unit kg/m³; default 1600)
- Cement bag size (unit kg; default 50)
- Waste allowance (unit %; default 0; optional)

## Results
- Sand
- Sand
- Sand weight
- Sand weight
- Cement
- Cement bags (rounded up)
- Dry volume

## Formula

```
Dry = Wet × (1 + Waste) × Dry factor;  Sand = Dry × s ÷ (c + s);  Cement = Dry × c ÷ (c + s) × Cement density;  Sand mass = Sand × Sand density
```

Where:
- c : s: cement-to-sand ratio by volume
- Dry factor: extra dry material to fill voids

## Worked example
1. Dry volume = 1 × 1.33 = 1.33 m³.
2. Sand = 1.33 × 6/7 = 1.14 m³; × 1600 kg/m³ = 1.824 t.
3. 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.

## What the result means

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 and limits
- Dry, loose sand is batched by volume.
- Lime or plasticiser, if used, is not included.
- Damp sand can bulk by 20–30% in volume, so a gauge box of damp sand holds less sand than it seems.

## Questions

### Why is the dry factor lower than for concrete?

Mortar has no coarse aggregate, so there are fewer large voids; 1.27–1.35 is typical, compared with about 1.54 for concrete.

### Which ratio should I use?

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.

## Related calculators
- [Brick Quantity Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/brick-quantity-calculator)
- [Wall Plastering Quantity Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/wall-plastering-quantity-calculator)
- [Cement Bags for Concrete Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/cement-bags-for-concrete-calculator)
- [Ratio Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/ratio-calculator)

_Quantities are estimates. Confirm requirements with your engineer or supplier before ordering materials._

Source: GM¹X CalcVerse — https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/sand-quantity-for-mortar-calculator