1. What is a Sand Cement Mortar Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the volume of mortar needed based on area, thickness, cement-sand ratio, and yield per bag.

Purpose: It helps masons and construction professionals determine how much mortar is required for bricklaying, plastering, and other masonry work.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( M \) — Mortar volume (cubic feet)
• \( A \) — Area to be covered (square feet)
• \( T \) — Thickness of mortar (inches)
• \( R \) — Cement to sand ratio (unitless)
• \( Y \) — Yield per bag of cement (cubic feet per bag)

Explanation: The area is multiplied by thickness (converted to feet) and ratio, then divided by yield to get number of cement bags needed.

3. Importance of Mortar Calculation

Details: Accurate mortar estimation ensures proper material purchasing, minimizes waste, and maintains consistent mix proportions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the area in square feet, thickness in inches, cement-sand ratio (default 4 for 1:4 mix), and yield per bag (default 1.25 ft³). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical cement-sand ratio?
A: Common ratios are 1:4 (cement:sand) for general bricklaying or 1:6 for plastering.

Q2: How do I determine yield per bag?
A: Check cement bag specifications - typically 1.25 ft³ per 50kg bag for 1:4 mix.

Q3: Why convert thickness to feet?
A: The calculator converts inches to feet (dividing by 12) to maintain consistent units (ft² × ft = ft³).

Q4: How do I calculate sand quantity?
A: Multiply cement volume by the ratio (e.g., for 1:4 mix, sand = 4 × cement volume).

Q5: Does this include wastage?
A: No, consider adding 10-15% to the calculated volume for project contingencies.