Sand — price, types and what to check
Fine aggregate for concrete, mortar and plaster.
Sand fills the gaps between cement and stone. Clean, well-graded sand gives strong concrete and crack-free plaster; silty sand quietly ruins both.
The basics
- Sand is fine aggregate below 4.75 mm.
- River sand is restricted in many states; M-sand made from crushed rock is now the common replacement.
- P-sand is a finer, washed M-sand made for smooth plaster.
- Sold by cubic feet or by load — a tractor trolley carries roughly 100–120 cft.
Sand types and price ranges in India
| Type | Specification | Best used for | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| River sand | Zone II, IS 383 | Concrete and plaster | ₹50–100 |
| M-sand (concrete) | 0–4.75 mm, VSI crushed | RCC and PCC | ₹40–70 |
| P-sand (plaster) | 0–2.36 mm, washed | Wall and ceiling plaster | ₹45–75 |
| Stone dust | 0–4.75 mm | Filling, paver bedding, PCC base | ₹20–35 |
| Filling sand | Unwashed | Plinth filling and backfill | ₹15–30 |
Quality checks before you accept delivery
- Silt test: shake sand in a jar of salt water and let it settle 3 hours. A silt layer above 8% means reject or wash.
- Rub wet sand in your palm. If it stains your hand, it carries clay.
- Never accept sea sand — salt corrodes steel and causes white patches on walls.
- M-sand grains should be cubical, not flaky.
- Squeeze damp sand in your fist — good sand crumbles; clayey sand holds a ball.
- Reject sand with shells, roots, coal or organic bits.
- Ask the M-sand supplier for a sieve analysis report.
Pro tips
- Damp sand swells 20–30% in volume (bulking). Measure dry sand or correct for bulking, or your mix will be sand-short.
- Zone II sand suits concrete. Very fine Zone IV sand needs more cement.
- Sieve plaster sand through a 2.36 mm mesh; don't over-sieve concrete sand.
- Keep 2–3 days' stock covered in monsoon to avoid wash-off and bulking.
- Sand for waterproof plaster must be completely silt-free.
- Keep a sample jar from the first load to compare later deliveries.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using the same unwashed sand for plaster and concrete.
- Accepting sand by 'tractor load' without measuring.
- Stockpiling sand on muddy ground.
- Stockpiling sand by the road where vehicles dirty it.
- Using stone dust as a full sand replacement in RCC.
Where you can save
- M-sand from a known crusher is usually cheaper and more consistent than river sand.
- Measure the truck body (length × width × height) before unloading.
How much you need
About 1.8 cft per sq ft of built-up area.
Brands to know
Robo Silicon (M-sand), local quarries, state mineral corporations
Related materials
CementThe binder that holds the whole house together.Aggregate and gravelCrushed stone that gives concrete its body.Bricks and blocksThe walls — clay, fly ash or lightweight blocks.TMT steelReinforcement inside every column, beam and slab.Shuttering and scaffoldingThe temporary moulds and platforms behind every slab.