Theoretical consumption of cement, sand, aggregate, mortar and paint for the items an estimator prices every day — with the arithmetic shown, so you can check any figure yourself instead of trusting a memorised number.
Three constants drive everything below. Wet (compacted) volume is converted to dry loose volume, the dry volume is split in the mix proportion, and the cement share is converted to 50 kg bags.
For plaster, an allowance of about 20 % is added to the wet volume for unevenness of the wall face and dubbing out, before applying the 1.33 dry factor. Sand and aggregate follow directly as (their mix part) × (cement volume).
Per unit of finished work, nominal mixes. The last column shows exactly how the number falls out of the mix arithmetic — reproduce it on a slip of paper before you rely on it.
| Item of work | Unit | Cement | Sand | Coarse aggregate | Derivation (bags) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCC 1:4:8 (M7.5) — levelling course, foundation bedding | m³ | 3.41 bags (≈171 kg) | 0.47 m³ | 0.95 m³ | 1.54 ÷ 13 = 0.1185 m³ ÷ 0.0347 = 3.41 |
| PCC 1:3:6 (M10) — mass concrete, footings below plinth | m³ | 4.44 bags (≈222 kg) | 0.46 m³ | 0.92 m³ | 1.54 ÷ 10 = 0.154 m³ ÷ 0.0347 = 4.44 |
| RCC M15 (1:2:4) — lightly loaded members, lintels, small slabs | m³ | 6.34 bags (≈317 kg) | 0.44 m³ | 0.88 m³ | 1.54 ÷ 7 = 0.220 m³ ÷ 0.0347 = 6.34 |
| RCC M20 (1:1.5:3) — general structural concrete (min. grade for RCC per IS 456) | m³ | 8.06 bags (≈403 kg) | 0.42 m³ | 0.84 m³ | 1.54 ÷ 5.5 = 0.280 m³ ÷ 0.0347 = 8.06 |
| Brick masonry in CM 1:6 — modular bricks, 10 mm joints (≈500 bricks/m³) | m³ | 1.28 bags (≈64 kg) | 0.27 m³ | — | 0.31 ÷ 7 = 0.0443 m³ ÷ 0.0347 = 1.28 |
| 12 mm plaster in CM 1:6 — internal wall faces | m² | 0.079 bags (≈3.9 kg) | 0.0164 m³ | — | 0.012 ×1.2 ×1.33 ÷ 7 ÷ 0.0347 = 0.079 |
| 20 mm plaster in CM 1:4 — external faces, rough side of walls | m² | 0.184 bags (≈9.2 kg) | 0.0255 m³ | — | 0.020 ×1.2 ×1.33 ÷ 5 ÷ 0.0347 = 0.184 |
| 20 mm flooring bedding in CM 1:4 — under tile / stone flooring (laid on a prepared base, so no unevenness allowance) | m² | 0.153 bags (≈7.7 kg) | 0.0213 m³ | — | 0.020 ×1.33 ÷ 5 ÷ 0.0347 = 0.153 |
Once you know the dry mortar volume, any mix can be costed: cement = dry volume ÷ (1 + n) for a 1:n mix, sand is the rest.
| Quantity | Value |
|---|---|
| Wet mortar per m³ brickwork (modular bricks, 10 mm joints) | 0.23 m³ |
| Dry mortar per m³ brickwork (×1.33, incl. frogs & wastage) | ≈0.31 m³ |
| Cement per m³ wet mortar, CM 1:3 (1.33 ÷ 4) | 0.333 m³ ≈ 9.58 bags |
| Cement per m³ wet mortar, CM 1:4 (1.33 ÷ 5) | 0.266 m³ ≈ 7.67 bags |
| Cement per m³ wet mortar, CM 1:5 (1.33 ÷ 6) | 0.222 m³ ≈ 6.39 bags |
| Cement per m³ wet mortar, CM 1:6 (1.33 ÷ 7) | 0.190 m³ ≈ 5.48 bags |
| Plaster thickness | Wet vol. + 20 % | Dry mortar (×1.33) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 mm (ceilings, soffits) | 0.0072 m³ | 0.0096 m³ |
| 10 mm | 0.0120 m³ | 0.0160 m³ |
| 12 mm (usual internal coat) | 0.0144 m³ | 0.0192 m³ |
| 15 mm | 0.0180 m³ | 0.0239 m³ |
| 20 mm (external / rough face) | 0.0240 m³ | 0.0319 m³ |
The +20 % covers wall unevenness and dubbing; drop it where the substrate is already true (e.g. bedding on a levelled base course, as in table 1).
Coverage varies with surface porosity, dilution and applicator — these are typical planning figures. Always follow the manufacturer's datasheet, and the coats and coverage specified in the sanctioned item.
| Finish | Typical coverage | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic emulsion (interior) | 10–12 m²/L per coat | Two coats over primed, puttied surface is the usual specification. |
| Wall primer (water-thinnable) | 8–10 m²/L per coat | One coat before putty/emulsion on new plaster; new plaster must be cured and dry. |
| Synthetic enamel | 9–11 m²/L per coat | On wood/steel over the appropriate primer; two coats usual for new work. |
| Red-oxide / zinc-chrome metal primer | ≈9–12 m²/L per coat | Steel doors, windows, grills and railings before enamel. |
| Acrylic wall putty | ≈1.0–1.4 m²/kg for two coats | Consumption rises sharply on uneven plaster — measure a trial bay if in doubt. |
| Cement paint (exterior) | ≈2.5–4 m²/kg for two coats | Applied on wetted surface; coverage depends heavily on texture. |
| Whitewash (lime) | — | Traditionally measured by coats, not coverage; lime slaked on site. Priced per m² per coat in the SoR. |
For converting between volume and weight in indents, lead statements and material reconciliation.
| Material | Typical density | Handy form |
|---|---|---|
| Cement (bulk) | 1440 kg/m³ | 28.8 bags/m³ · 1 bag = 50 kg = 0.0347 m³ ≈ 1.226 cft |
| Sand (dry, loose) | 1600 kg/m³ | 1 m³ ≈ 1.6 t; bulking of moist sand can be 20–30 % — measure boxes accordingly |
| Coarse aggregate, 20 mm (loose) | ≈1475 kg/m³ | 1 m³ ≈ 1.47 t |
| Steel | 7850 kg/m³ | Bar weight = d²/162 kg/m (d in mm) — e.g. 12 mm ⇒ 0.889 kg/m |
| Plain cement concrete | ≈2400 kg/m³ | — |
| Reinforced cement concrete | ≈2500 kg/m³ | Standard design value for dead-load |
| Brick masonry | ≈1900–1920 kg/m³ | Common burnt-clay bricks in cement mortar |
| Water | 1000 kg/m³ | 1 L = 1 kg |
The full factor table in one place, for theoretical-consumption statements and cement registers — item descriptions in the style your schedule of rates uses. DSR/SoR item numbers change with every edition, so instead of printing numbers that will go stale, the downloadable sheet carries a blank “your item ref” column: fill it once against your organisation's current schedule and the reckoner becomes your own.
| Item of work | Unit | Cement (kg) | Bags (50 kg) | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain & reinforced concrete | ||||
| PCC 1:5:10 (40 mm nominal aggregate) | m³ | 138.6 | 2.77 | nominal mix · dry factor 1.54 |
| PCC 1:4:8 | m³ | 170.6 | 3.41 | nominal mix · dry factor 1.54 |
| PCC 1:3:6 | m³ | 221.8 | 4.44 | nominal mix · dry factor 1.54 |
| PCC / RCC 1:2:4 (M15 equivalent) | m³ | 316.8 | 6.34 | nominal mix · dry factor 1.54 |
| RCC 1:1.5:3 (M20 equivalent) | m³ | 403.2 | 8.06 | nominal mix · dry factor 1.54 |
| RCC 1:1:2 (M25 equivalent) | m³ | 554.4 | 11.09 | nominal mix · dry factor 1.54 |
| RCC design mix M20–M30 (with admixture) | m³ | 300–400 | 6.0–8.0 | approved mix design governs |
| Cement mortars (per m³ of wet mortar) | ||||
| CM 1:3 | m³ | 478.8 | 9.58 | dry factor 1.33 |
| CM 1:4 | m³ | 383.0 | 7.67 | dry factor 1.33 |
| CM 1:5 | m³ | 319.2 | 6.39 | dry factor 1.33 |
| CM 1:6 | m³ | 273.6 | 5.48 | dry factor 1.33 |
| CM 1:8 | m³ | 212.8 | 4.26 | dry factor 1.33 |
| Masonry | ||||
| Brick masonry in CM 1:4 (one-brick & thicker) | m³ | 89.3 | 1.79 | ≈0.31 m³ dry mortar/m³ |
| Brick masonry in CM 1:5 | m³ | 74.4 | 1.49 | ≈0.31 m³ dry mortar/m³ |
| Brick masonry in CM 1:6 | m³ | 63.8 | 1.28 | ≈0.31 m³ dry mortar/m³ |
| Half-brick (100 mm) wall in CM 1:4 | m² | 8.9 | 0.18 | ≈0.031 m³ dry mortar/m² |
| Hollow concrete block 200 mm wall in CM 1:4 | m² | 3–4 | 0.06–0.08 | joint volume varies with block |
| Random rubble masonry in CM 1:6 | m³ | ≈93 | ≈1.86 | ≈0.34 m³ wet mortar/m³ |
| Plastering (per m², incl. 20 % unevenness) | ||||
| 6 mm ceiling plaster CM 1:3 | m² | 3.5 | 0.069 | t ×1.2 ×1.33 |
| 12 mm plaster CM 1:4 | m² | 5.5 | 0.110 | t ×1.2 ×1.33 |
| 12 mm plaster CM 1:6 | m² | 3.9 | 0.079 | t ×1.2 ×1.33 |
| 15 mm plaster CM 1:4 | m² | 6.9 | 0.138 | t ×1.2 ×1.33 |
| 15 mm plaster CM 1:6 | m² | 4.9 | 0.099 | t ×1.2 ×1.33 |
| 20 mm plaster CM 1:4 | m² | 9.2 | 0.184 | t ×1.2 ×1.33 |
| Flooring & allied | ||||
| 40 mm cement concrete floor 1:2:4 (IPS) | m² | 12.7 | 0.25 | 0.04 × concrete coefficient |
| 25 mm cement concrete floor 1:2:4 | m² | 7.9 | 0.16 | 0.025 × concrete coefficient |
| 20 mm bedding CM 1:4 under tile/stone | m² | 7.7 | 0.153 | no unevenness allowance |
| Cement slurry bonding / jointing coat | m² | 4.4 | 0.09 | customary norm |
| Neat cement punning over floor / dado | m² | ≈2.75 | ≈0.06 | customary norm |
| 40 mm DPC in CC 1:2:4 (waterproofing compound extra) | m² | 12.7 | 0.25 | 0.04 × concrete coefficient |
The calculators apply exactly the arithmetic above to your own dimensions — quantities, bags rounded up, and the full breakdown.
Any nominal mix, any member size — cement, sand and aggregate per your volume.
Open calculator →Bricks, mortar and cement for a wall from its length, height and thickness.
Open calculator →Bedding mortar, tiles and paint quantities for finishing items.
Open calculator →All tools: Calculators · background reading: Analysis of Rates, step by step · Preparing a Detailed Estimate