Cement, Sand & Mortar Calculator
Work out cement bags and sand for a mortar volume and mix ratio — with an editable dry-volume factor.
This calculator works out how much cement and sand a given volume of mortar needs, for any mix ratio. Enter the wet mortar volume and choose a ratio like 1:4 or 1:6 to see cement bags and sand volume — useful for brickwork, plaster and flooring beds.
Tip: get this from the brick calculator.
Mix ratio (cement : sand)
Assumptions — edit to match your site
Dry-volume factor converts wet mortar to the dry materials you must buy (≈1.33). Cement: 50 kg/bag, 1440 kg/m³.
How it's calculated
Dry volume = 20 × 1.33 = 26.6 cft
Total parts = 1 + 4 = 5
Cement = 26.6 × 1/5 = 5.32 cft → 217 kg ÷ 50 = 4.3 bags
Sand = 26.6 × 4/5 = 21.28 cft
Indicative estimate only — quantities and prices vary by site, materials and method. Always verify with your contractor or vendor before buying.
How this calculator works
Wet mortar packs down as it's mixed, so the volume is multiplied by a dry factor (1.33 by default) to get the dry material needed. That dry volume is split between cement and sand in the ratio you choose.
Cement is converted to 50 kg bags using a density of 1440 kg/m³. Sand is reported as a loose volume in cubic feet and cubic metres.
Common questions
- What mix ratio should I use?
- 1:4 to 1:6 is common for brickwork and plaster in Pakistan — a richer 1:4 for stronger or external work, a leaner 1:6 internally. Confirm with your engineer.
- Why is the dry volume higher than the mortar volume?
- Dry cement and sand pack tighter once water is added, so you need roughly 33% more dry material than the finished wet volume.
Related tools
Last updated: 8 July 2026
These tools are free
To turn an estimate into reality, hire verified professionals or order materials from suppliers on Mahprotocol.