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Standard: 2200-2400. Lightweight: <1800.
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About

When purchasing pre-bagged sand concrete (also known as sandcrete or dry mortar mix), the primary challenge is determining how many bags are required to fill a specific volume. A common mistake is assuming 1 kg of dry mix yields 1 liter of wet concrete. In reality, the material compacts significantly when mixed with water.

This calculator converts the weight of dry mix into the resulting volume of wet concrete. It defaults to a standard bulk density of 2300 kg/m³, which is typical for general-purpose sand-cement mixes (M300, M150). Users can adjust this density based on specific manufacturer data found on the bag.

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Formulas

The calculation relies on the relationship between mass, density, and volume. The density ρ represents the weight of the cured concrete per unit volume.

V = mρ
Bags Needed = Vtarget × ρmbag

Where ρ is typically 2200 to 2400 kg/m³ for sand concrete.

Reference Data

Bag SizeYield (Liters)Yield (m³)Bags for 1 m³
20 kg~8.70.0087115
25 kg~10.90.010992
30 kg~13.00.013077
40 kg~17.40.017458
50 kg~21.70.021746
1000 kg (Bulk)~4350.4352.3

Frequently Asked Questions

For most pre-mixed bags (sand and cement), the cured density is approximately 2300 kg/m³. Lightweight mixes may be around 1800 kg/m³, while heavy-duty structural mixes can reach 2500 kg/m³.
Technically, yes, but not in the way most expect. The water fills the voids between the sand and cement particles. The final volume of wet concrete is actually *less* than the loose dry volume of the powder but relates directly to the "bulk density" used in this tool.
At a standard density of 2300 kg/m³, you need 2300 kg of dry mix. 2300 / 25 = 92 bags. Always buy 5-10% extra for spillage and uneven ground.
No. Pure cement has a different density (approx 1440 kg/m³ loose, 3150 kg/m³ solid). This tool is calibrated for *sand concrete* or *mortar* mixes containing aggregate.