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Sand Quantity Calculator

Work out sand quantity instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Sand Quantity Calculator

Sand is ordered loose but placed compacted, and damp sand bulks by 20-30 percent, so the delivered volume must exceed the placed volume. Mass, however, does not bulk: tonnage is the compacted volume times bulk density, which is why ordering by weight avoids the argument entirely.

Formulas

Loose volume

m³ loose = compacted volume x (1 + bulking) x (1 + wastage)

Mass

kg = compacted volume x (1 + wastage) x bulk density

Worked example

With the default values below, Sand Quantity Calculator returns Sand to order of 25.20. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Compacted volume requiredminimum 0.01 m³
15 m³
Bulking of loose sandaccepts 0–40 %
20 %
Bulk densityminimum 100 kg/m³
1,600 kg/m³
Wastage allowanceaccepts 0–25 %
5 %

Results

Sand to order
25.20 t
Loose volume to order
18.90 m³
Sand mass
25,200 kg
Truck loads at 5 tonnes
6

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Loose volume
  3. 3Mass
  4. 4Sand to order= 25.20 t
  5. 5Loose volume to order= 18.90 m³
  6. 6Sand mass= 25,200 kg
  7. 7Truck loads at 5 tonnes= 6

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Sand Quantity figure worked out?

m³ loose = compacted volume x (1 + bulking) x (1 + wastage). Sand is ordered loose but placed compacted, and damp sand bulks by 20-30 percent, so the delivered volume must exceed the placed volume.

Should I buy sand by weight or volume?

By weight where possible. Volume delivered depends on moisture content and how well the truck is loaded, whereas a weighbridge ticket is unambiguous.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Compacted volume required, Bulking of loose sand, Bulk density, Wastage allowance. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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