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Sand Quantity Calculator

Plaster sand = area × thickness × 1.27 × n ÷ (1 + n) for a 1:n mix. 500 m² of 12 mm plaster in 1:5 needs 6.35 m³ (224 cft) of dry sand (about 10 t). Damp sand bulks around 20%, so order about 7.6 m³ by loose volume: 2 loads of 6 m³.

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Plaster
m²
mm
Other sand
m³
Delivery
kg/m³
m³
Sand: 7.62 m³ to buySand: 7.62 m³ to buy2 loads of 6 m³myconstructioncalculator.com
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Results

Check the working before you order.

Sand needed (dry)
6.35m³
In cubic feet (cft)224 cft
Loose volume to buy (damp)7.62 m³
Weight10.16 t
Truck loads2 loads
Sand for plaster6.35 m³
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Working
  1. Plaster sand = area × thickness × 1.27 × 5 ÷ 6 = 6.350 m³
  2. Total dry sand = 6.350 m³ + 0.000 m³ = 6.350 m³ = 224 cft (1 m³ = 35.31 cft)
  3. Loose damp volume = × (1 + 20% bulking) = 7.620 m³; weight = dry × density = 10.16 t
Results are estimates for planning and material ordering only. They are not a substitute for structural design or approval by a qualified engineer. Read the full disclaimer.
Formula


Dry sand     = area × thickness × 1.27 × n ÷ (1 + n)    (+ other sand)
Loose damp   = dry × (1 + bulking %)
Weight       = dry × density (≈ 1,600 kg/m³)
cft          = m³ × 35.31


Worked Example


500 m² of plaster, 12 mm, 1:5, 20% bulking, 6 m³ tippers:


    

  1. Dry sand = 500 × 0.012 × 1.27 × 5 ÷ 6 = 6.35 m³ = 224 cft
    2. 

  2. Weight ≈ 6.35 × 1,600 = 10.2 t
    3. 

  3. Loose damp volume = 6.35 × 1.2 = 7.62 m³ → 2 loads
    4. 



Sand per 100 m² of 12 mm Plaster






Mix
m³
cft






1 : 3
1.14
40.4




1 : 4
1.22
43.1




1 : 5
1.27
44.8




1 : 6
1.31
46.1






Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand is needed for 100 m² of plaster?
About 1.2–1.3 m³ (43–46 cft) for 12 mm plaster: 1.22 m³ for 1:4 and 1.31 m³ for 1:6.
What is bulking of sand?
Damp sand takes up more space than dry sand because water films push the grains apart (often 15–30% more). Sand bought by volume when damp therefore contains less sand than its volume suggests.
How many cft are in 1 m³ of sand?
35.31 cubic feet.
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