How much sand do I need?
Work out how much building or sharp sand you need — for mortar, screed or a sub-base — in bulk bags or tonnes, with the cost and calculation shown. A bulk bag is roughly 850 kg.
1 each.
| Building sand (bulk bag, ~0.8 t) | 1 × bulk bag | £48 |
- 1Number of bulk bags: 1
- 2Usage rate: 1 each
- 3Quantity: 1 × bulk bag @ £48 each
- Material cost only — labour is estimated separately in the schedule.
- Indicative trade-counter price; confirm with a current supplier quote.
How to work out sand quantities
- 1Decide the use
Mortar for bricklaying, screed, or a bedding/sub-base layer each use different amounts — and building sand vs sharp sand.
- 2For mortar
A typical 1:5 or 1:6 cement:sand mix uses roughly 5–6 parts sand to 1 cement. One bulk bag of sand (~850 kg) covers a lot of bricklaying.
- 3For a bedding layer
For paving/patio bedding, it's area × depth — e.g. 20 m² at 40 mm ≈ 0.8 m³, and 1 m³ of sand is roughly 1.5 tonnes.
- 4Round up to whole bags
Sand is sold by the bulk bag or tonne, so round up — a little spare is cheaper than a second delivery.
Sand is cheap but awkward to top up mid-job, so it's worth getting the quantity right first time — and getting the type right, because building sand and sharp sand aren't interchangeable. Work from the job (bricks to lay, area to bed) back to the bags.
Sand quantities (indicative)
| Use | Guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk bag | ~850 kg (~0.55 m³) | Common delivery unit |
| Mortar (1:5–1:6) | 5–6 parts sand : 1 cement | Building/soft sand |
| Bedding layer | area × depth | Sharp sand |
| 1 m³ of sand | ~1.5 tonnes | For weight/volume swaps |
Building (soft) sand for mortar; sharp sand for screed and bedding. Indicative — confirm with quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need for mortar?+
For bricklaying at a typical 1:5–1:6 mix, one bulk bag of building sand (~850 kg) with the matching cement lays a large amount of brick or block. Work out your brick count first, then the mortar.
How many bulk bags of sand in a tonne?+
A bulk bag is usually around 850 kg, so roughly a tonne (a little more). One cubic metre of sand weighs about 1.5 tonnes, so a bulk bag is around half a cubic metre.
What sand do I need — building or sharp?+
Building (soft) sand is for bricklaying and rendering mortar; sharp (grit) sand is for screed, concrete and paving bedding. Using the wrong one weakens the mix.
Related tools & guides
Want to know how these figures are calculated? See our cost methodology.
Cost figures shown are indicative estimates, not quotations. You are responsible for verifying all costs (obtain contractor quotes) and any figures submitted to a lender. ScopeWise is a documentation tool, not financial, tax, structural or planning advice. HMO compliance prompts are guidance only — confirm requirements with your local council, as standards and licensing vary by authority.