Material density table
Check this before converting volume to weight — bulk and solid density differ by a factor of two, and picking the wrong one ruins the tonnage.
| Material | Density (kg/m³) | State |
|---|---|---|
| Plain concrete | 2200~2400 | Solid |
| Reinforced concrete | 2400~2500 | Solid, usually 2500 |
| Lightweight aggregate concrete | 1400~1900 | Solid |
| Cement mortar | 2000 | Solid |
| Compo mortar | 1900 | Solid |
| Clay brick | 1800 | Solid, about 2.6 kg each |
| AAC block | 500~700 | Solid, grades B05-B07 |
| Hollow concrete block | 1200~1400 | Solid, by void ratio |
| Cement (bulk) | 1200~1300 | Loose |
| Cement (particle) | 3100 | For mix design |
| Medium sand (dry) | 1450~1550 | Bulk |
| Medium sand (wet) | 1600~1800 | Bulk, 5-8% moisture |
| Crushed stone | 1450~1550 | Loose, 5-40 mm |
| Lime putty | 1350 | Paste |
| Carbon steel | 7850 | Solid |
| Stainless steel | 7930 | Solid, 304 |
| Aluminium | 2700 | Solid |
| Glass | 2500~2560 | Solid |
| Granite | 2800 | Solid |
| Marble | 2700 | Solid |
| Softwood | 500~600 | Solid, air dry |
| Hardwood | 700~900 | Solid, air dry |
| Bitumen | 1000~1100 | Solid |
| Asphalt concrete | 2300~2400 | Solid, compacted |
| Water | 1000 | At 4°C |
| Clay (natural) | 1800~2000 | In situ |
| Sandy soil (natural) | 1600~2000 | In situ |
| EPS board | 20~30 | Solid |
| XPS board | 30~40 | Solid |
| Rock wool board | 100~150 | Solid |
All values are computed from the stated formulas; ranges show the usual spread. Use measured data or the local code where it differs.
How to use this table
- Buying aggregate: convert m³ to t with the bulk density; 1.5 t/m³ is the usual working figure for medium sand.
- Structural self-weight: use solid density, and take 2500 kg/m³ for reinforced concrete.
- Mix design: use particle densities (cement 3100, sand 2650, stone 2700) in the absolute volume method, never bulk density.
Common misuse
- Using sand's bulk density (1500) to compute aggregate volume in a mix — the whole mix is then wrong.
- Ignoring moisture: wet sand is 10% heavier, so 30 t ordered against dry density delivers 27 t of volume.
- Assuming 700 kg/m³ for AAC when grade B05 is 525 — a 25% error in wall weight that fails the compression check.
Calculate the actual number
Concrete Mix Design CalculatorWork out cement, sand, gravel and water per cubic metre from the target grade and water-cement ratio.Sand and Gravel Tonnage ConverterCubic metres to tonnes by bulk density, with truck loads.Concrete Volume CalculatorEnter length, width and thickness to get the concrete volume you need and how many truck loads that is.
Other reference tables
FAQ
How many tonnes in a cubic metre of sand?
Bulk density of medium sand is 1450-1650 kg/m³, so 1.45-1.65 t per cubic metre; use the top of the range when wet.
How much does a cubic metre of reinforced concrete weigh?
2400-2500 kg, and 2500 is the normal design figure. That is solid density, not loose.
What is the density of cement?
Particle density is 3100 kg/m³ while bulk density is only 1200-1300. Mix design uses particle density; storage and haulage use bulk.
Results are estimating aids only and are not a design basis. Construction and final accounts must follow the drawings, the applicable standards and an approved method statement. Anything affecting structural safety, shoring or falsework must be checked by a suitably qualified engineer.