Sand
River, manufactured and plaster sand for concrete, masonry and finishing work.
Product overview
Sand is the fine aggregate that fills the voids between coarse aggregate and cement paste. Its grading, silt content and moisture directly control the strength, workability and finish of everything from a plinth beam to a skim coat of plaster.
In most Indian markets you will choose between natural river sand, which is rounded and workable, and manufactured sand (M-sand) crushed from hard rock, which is angular, consistently graded and far easier to source legally in states with river mining restrictions.
Typical units: tonne, brass, cft. Sand is freight-dominated: the rate at the quarry is often less than half the landed cost at your site.
Common applications
- Concrete for footings, columns, beams and slabs
- Brick and block masonry mortar
- Internal and external plaster
- Flooring bedding and tile laying mortar
- Backfill and levelling courses
Available grades and variants
- Zone I–IV (IS 383)
- Grading zones by particle size distribution; Zone II is the usual all-rounder for structural concrete.
- River sand
- Rounded grains, good workability, low water demand. Availability varies by season and state mining policy.
- M-sand
- Crushed rock, angular and consistently graded. Ideal for concrete; needs slightly more water or admixture for plaster.
- Plaster / filter sand
- Finer washed grade for plaster and filtration beds.
Buying guide: sand
- Ask for the silt content. Above roughly 3% for concrete sand you lose strength — a simple jar settlement test on site takes fifteen minutes.
- Buy by the tonne where you can. Volume (brass or cft) varies with bulking as moisture changes, so weight is the fairer basis.
- Match the grade to the job: Zone II for structural concrete, finer washed sand for plaster.
- Confirm royalty and transit documents. Illegally mined sand can be stopped in transit and your site loses a day.
Why buy sand through Nautook
- Verified suppliers only — every shop is checked before it can list.
- Live per-unit rates you can compare across suppliers in your city.
- GPS-tracked delivery from dispatch to site gate.
- GST invoices and digital payment records for every order.
Browse live listings to compare rates from verified suppliers in your city, or read how ordering works.
Related materials
Sand FAQs
Is M-sand as good as river sand?
For concrete, M-sand is often better — consistent grading and no silt or organic matter. For fine plaster finishes, river sand or a washed fine M-sand gives a smoother surface.
How much sand do I need for 1 cubic metre of M20 concrete?
Roughly 0.42–0.45 cubic metres of sand per cubic metre of M20 concrete on a nominal 1:1.5:3 mix, before allowing for bulking and wastage.
What is bulking of sand?
Damp sand occupies more volume than dry sand — up to 25–30% more at 5–6% moisture. It is why volume-based buying can quietly cost you.