Mortar Calculator
Calculate the cement and sand needed for a given volume of mortar and mix ratio.
- Free to use
- Accurate results
- No registration required
- Works on all devices
Enter your mortar volume and mix ratio to find the cement and sand quantities needed.
Your result
8.4
Cement bags (50kg)
Sand volume1.17
Dry material volume1.463
AI explanation
Formula
Dry volume = wet volume × (1 + wastage%) × 1.33; cement/sand split by mix ratio partsWorked example
1 m³ of 1:4 mortar, 10% wastage
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Wet mortar volume (m³) | 1 |
| Mortar mix | 1:4 (cement:sand) |
| Wastage allowance (%) | 10 |
| Cement bags (50kg) | 8.4 |
| Sand volume | 1.1704 |
| Dry material volume | 1.463 |
Assumptions
- Mortar (cement + sand only, no coarse aggregate) uses a dry-volume factor of 1.33, smaller than concrete's 1.54, since sand alone has fewer voids to fill than a full aggregate mix.
- Mortar typically has more wastage than concrete due to handling and joint-filling losses — 10% is a common allowance, higher than the 5% often used for concrete.
Frequently asked questions
What mix ratio should I use for mortar?
1:4 or 1:6 is common for general brickwork/blockwork; 1:3 is used for plaster or where higher strength mortar is needed — follow your project's specification.
How is mortar different from concrete mix?
Mortar uses only cement and sand (no coarse aggregate), used for binding masonry units or as a plaster/render coating, while concrete includes coarse aggregate for structural strength.
Is there a calculator that computes the mortar volume for me from wall dimensions?
Yes — see the Brick Calculator or Block Calculator, which estimate mortar volume directly from wall and unit dimensions, or the Plaster Calculator for wall-coating mortar.