Material Quantity Tables | ConcreteMaths.com

Quick reference tables for concrete, mortar, sharp sand, ballast, aggregates, cement bags, bulk bags and UK building material quantities — designed for fast on-site estimating in metric units.

Material Quantity Tables UK 2026 — Quick Reference Guide

Material quantity tableshelp builders, landscapers, DIY users and quantity surveyors convert design measurements into real ordering quantities. Instead of guessing how many bags of cement, tonnes of sharp sand or bulk bags of ballast are needed, you can use standard UK density and mix ratio guidance to build a reliable first estimate.

This page brings together the most useful UK 2026 quantity references for concrete, mortar, screed, aggregates, sub-base and general building materials. It is designed as a quick on-site lookup, so every table uses practical metric units: cubic metres, tonnes, kilograms, 25kg cement bags, approximate 850kg bulk bags and common mix ratios.

Important Estimating Rule

Volume tells you how much space a material fills. Weight tells you how much to order and transport. Because each material has a different bulk density, 1m³ of sharp sand does not weigh the same as 1m³ of concrete, MOT Type 1 or topsoil.

Measure Volume First

For slabs, trenches, patios and sub-bases, work out length × width × depth in metres before converting into tonnes or bags.

Use Correct Density

Typical loose densities range from around 1.2t/m³ for topsoil to around 2.4t/m³ for dense concrete.

Add Wastage

Allow 5–10% for most materials and up to 15–20% for compaction, irregular excavations, spillage and site losses.

Concrete Mix Quantity Table — Cement, Sand & Aggregate

The table below gives approximate dry material quantities for common small-batch concrete mixes. For structural slabs, foundations, reinforced concrete and Building Regulations work, use a specified ready-mix concrete or engineer-approved mix rather than relying on visual batching alone.

Concrete Use: Blinding / Kerb Bedding; Typical Mix Ratio: 1 : 3 : 6; Cement per 1m³: 8–9 × 25kg bags; Sand per 1m³: 0.45m³; Aggregate / Ballast per 1m³: 0.90m³; Notes: Non-structural
Concrete Use: Paths & Light Slabs; Typical Mix Ratio: 1 : 2 : 4; Cement per 1m³: 11–12 × 25kg bags; Sand per 1m³: 0.42m³; Aggregate / Ballast per 1m³: 0.84m³; Notes: General use
Concrete Use: Driveways / Garage Bases; Typical Mix Ratio: 1 : 1.5 : 3; Cement per 1m³: 13–15 × 25kg bags; Sand per 1m³: 0.36m³; Aggregate / Ballast per 1m³: 0.72m³; Notes: Stronger mix
Concrete Use: DIY Ballast Concrete; Typical Mix Ratio: 1 : 5 cement:ballast; Cement per 1m³: 12–13 × 25kg bags; Sand per 1m³: Combined in ballast; Aggregate / Ballast per 1m³: ~1.0–1.1m³ ballast; Notes: Common UK DIY
Concrete Use: Structural Concrete; Typical Mix Ratio: Specified grade; Cement per 1m³: Supplier controlled; Sand per 1m³: Supplier controlled; Aggregate / Ballast per 1m³: Supplier controlled; Notes: Use ready-mix spec

Structural Concrete Warning

For foundations, suspended slabs, retaining walls, reinforced concrete and load-bearing work, specify concrete by strength/exposure class under BS 8500/BS EN 206 guidance and use Building Control or engineer-approved information.

Mortar Quantity Table — Brickwork, Blockwork & Pointing

Mortar quantities depend on brick size, joint thickness, block type and site wastage. The table below gives practical UK estimates for standard brick/block work using common 10mm joints.

Work Type: General Brickwork; Common Ratio: 1 : 5 cement:sand; Cement: 1 × 25kg bag; Building Sand: ~125kg sand; Approx figure: ~0.08–0.10m³ mortar; Typical Use: House walls, garden walls
Work Type: Stronger Brickwork; Common Ratio: 1 : 4 cement:sand; Cement: 1 × 25kg bag; Building Sand: ~100kg sand; Approx figure: ~0.07–0.09m³ mortar; Typical Use: Below DPC / exposed areas
Work Type: Weak / Heritage Mortar; Common Ratio: Lime-based; Cement: Specialist; Building Sand: Specialist; Approx figure: Varies; Typical Use: Older buildings
Work Type: Blockwork; Common Ratio: 1 : 5 or 1 : 6; Cement: 1 × 25kg bag; Building Sand: 125–150kg sand; Approx figure: ~0.09–0.11m³ mortar; Typical Use: Concrete blocks

Plasticiser, lime, air entrainment and weather conditions can affect workability and strength. Avoid making mortar too strong for older or softer masonry, because overly hard mortar can damage bricks by trapping moisture and forcing frost movement into the masonry units.

m³ to Tonnes Table — Common UK Materials

Use this table when you already know the volume in cubic metres and need an approximate order weight. Moisture content, grading, compaction and supplier source can change final weights, so confirm with the supplier before ordering large loads.

Material: Ready-Mix / Dense Concrete; Approx Density: 2.35–2.45 t/m³; 1m³ Equals: 2.4 tonnes; 850kg Bulk Bags: N/A; Best Use: Slabs / foundations
Material: Ballast; Approx Density: 1.7–1.9 t/m³; 1m³ Equals: 1.8 tonnes; 850kg Bulk Bags: ~2.1 bags; Best Use: Concrete mixing
Material: Sharp Sand; Approx Density: 1.5–1.7 t/m³; 1m³ Equals: 1.6 tonnes; 850kg Bulk Bags: ~1.9 bags; Best Use: Screed / bedding
Material: Building Sand; Approx Density: 1.4–1.6 t/m³; 1m³ Equals: 1.5 tonnes; 850kg Bulk Bags: ~1.8 bags; Best Use: Mortar
Material: 20mm Gravel; Approx Density: 1.6–1.8 t/m³; 1m³ Equals: 1.7 tonnes; 850kg Bulk Bags: ~2.0 bags; Best Use: Drainage / decorative
Material: MOT Type 1; Approx Density: 1.9–2.1 t/m³; 1m³ Equals: 2.0 tonnes; 850kg Bulk Bags: ~2.4 bags; Best Use: Sub-base
Material: Screened Topsoil; Approx Density: 1.1–1.4 t/m³; 1m³ Equals: 1.25 tonnes; 850kg Bulk Bags: ~1.5 bags; Best Use: Landscaping

Bulk Bag & Small Bag Quantity Table

UK builders’ merchant bulk bags are often called jumbo bags, dumpy bags or tonne bags, but many supplier bags are approximately 800–850kg rather than a full tonne. Always check the product page and delivery note because moisture and regional supply can change actual bag weight.

25kg Cement Bags

General purpose cement is widely supplied in 25kg bags for concrete, mortar, render and screed. Keep dry and use within the supplier shelf-life.

850kg Bulk Bags

Many sand, ballast, gravel and aggregate products are sold around 800–850kg per bulk bag, not always exactly one tonne.

Loose Loads

For larger projects, loose tipped loads are usually cheaper per tonne than multiple bulk bags, but require suitable access and storage space.

Required Weight: 250kg; 25kg Bags: 10 bags; 850kg Bulk Bags: 0.3 bag; 1 Tonne Bags: 0.25 bag; Order Advice: Small bag collection may be easier
Required Weight: 500kg; 25kg Bags: 20 bags; 850kg Bulk Bags: 0.6 bag; 1 Tonne Bags: 0.5 bag; Order Advice: Consider half-load or bulk bag
Required Weight: 850kg; 25kg Bags: 34 bags; 850kg Bulk Bags: 1 bag; 1 Tonne Bags: 0.85 bag; Order Advice: Typical jumbo bag order
Required Weight: 1 tonne; 25kg Bags: 40 bags; 850kg Bulk Bags: 1.18 bags; 1 Tonne Bags: 1 bag; Order Advice: Check if supplier means 850kg or 1000kg
Required Weight: 2 tonnes; 25kg Bags: 80 bags; 850kg Bulk Bags: 2.35 bags; 1 Tonne Bags: 2 bags; Order Advice: Loose delivery often better value

Building Material Quantity Checklist for UK Projects

Before placing an order, check the exact build-up of your project. A patio may need MOT Type 1, sharp sand bedding and slabs. A concrete slab may need sub-base, DPM, reinforcement mesh, ready-mix concrete and curing protection. A garden wall may need bricks, blocks, coping stones, cement, building sand, DPC and drainage backfill.

Common Project Build-Ups

Concrete slab:compacted MOT Type 1, sand blinding, DPM, reinforcement if specified, concrete and curing cover.
Patio:excavated sub-grade, MOT Type 1 sub-base, sharp sand or mortar bed, paving slabs and jointing compound.
Brick wall:trench foundation, concrete, DPC where required, bricks/blocks, mortar, coping and weep/drainage detail.
Driveway:deeper sub-base, edge restraint, geotextile if required, bedding layer and finish material.
Screed floor:insulation, membrane/separating layer, sharp sand/cement screed and curing protection.

Best Practice for 2026 Ordering

Measure twice, convert using the correct density, add a sensible wastage allowance and then round up to whole bags or delivery loads. For large orders, confirm material density, bag weight, delivery access and offload method with the supplier before paying.

Safety: Cement, Concrete and Dust Need Control Measures

Wet cement and concrete can cause burns and dermatitis. Cutting, sweeping or handling dry aggregates can also create harmful dust. Use gloves, eye protection, dust control, suitable respiratory protection where required and follow the manufacturer’s safety data sheet.

Material Quantity Tables UK — FAQs

Common questions about UK concrete, mortar, aggregates, bulk bags and material estimating in 2026.