TryBuildCalcPCC Formula Plain cement concrete formula with live calculator
Calculate PCC cement, sand, and aggregate instantly.
🕒 Last updated: August 13, 2026
PCC Dimensions
ℹ️Typical: 75-100 mm (foundation blinding), 100-125 mm (flooring / floor base)
Common PCC thickness:
Cost
For a 12.00 m² footprint, you need approximately 1.26 m³ (44.5 cft) of PCC concrete — 5.6 cement bags.
PCC Concrete
Wet volume (before wastage): 1.200 m³
Dry volume: 1.848 m³
Final quantity (with wastage): 1.26 m³ (44.5 cft)
Materials
Cement: 5.6 bags (280 kg)
Sand: 0.58 m³ (20.6 cft)
Aggregate: 1.16 m³ (41.1 cft)
Assumptions Used
Dry volume factor: 1.54 | Cement bag: 50 kg / 0.0347 m³ | PCC is non-reinforced — no steel, and no shuttering (cast directly against the excavation or a prepared subgrade, not panel formwork).
Looking for the verification checklist, reference tables, tips, or common mistakes?See the complete PCC Calculator.
PCC formula for volume, dry volume, and materials
The basic PCC formula is Length × Width × Thickness. That gives the wet volume of plain cement concrete required for a footing blinding layer, floor base, levelling course, or hard-standing bed.
For material estimation, the wet volume is converted to dry volume using the 1.54 factor, then divided by the PCC mix ratio. The calculator above applies the same PCC formula automatically and shows cement bags, sand, aggregate, final wastage quantity, and optional cost.
- Wet PCC Volume = Length × Width × Thickness.
- Dry PCC Volume = Wet Volume × 1.54.
- Cement, sand, and aggregate are split from dry volume using the selected PCC ratio.
PCC Formula: How Is PCC Quantity Calculated?
PCC quantity is calculated from the PCC formula for wet concrete volume, a dry-volume correction factor, and cement-sand-aggregate PCC ratio distribution, then an optional cost estimate on top.
Step 1 — PCC Volume
Wet Volume = Length × Width × Thickness
Dry Volume = Wet Volume × 1.54
Dry volume accounts for the voids between aggregate particles that disappear once the concrete is mixed and compacted. The dry volume is split into cement, sand, and aggregate using the selected mix ratio, and wastage is applied once to the final quantities.
Step 2 — Cement Bags
Cement Volume = Dry Volume × (Cement Ratio Part ÷ Total Ratio Parts)
Cement Bags = Cement Volume ÷ 0.0347 m³/bag (50 kg bags)
Sand and aggregate are split the same way, using their own PCC ratio parts. One standard cement bag (50 kg) occupies approximately 0.0347 m³.
Step 3 — Final Quantity with Wastage
Final Wet Volume = Wet Volume × (1 + Wastage %)
This final wet volume (and the wastage-adjusted cement/sand/aggregate figures) is the practical quantity to order or batch on site — shown separately from the theoretical pre-wastage volume.
Worked Example
This example walks through your current inputs above, using the same steps as the Formula section.
Input Values Used
| Input | Value | Why it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Length × width × thickness | 4m × 3m × 100mm | Sets the wet concrete volume |
| Mix ratio / wastage | 1:3:6, 5% wastage | Splits dry volume into cement/sand/aggregate and adds a buffer for site losses |
Step 1 — Volume
| Calculation | Substitution | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Wet volume | 4m × 3m × 100mm | 1.200 m³ |
| Dry volume | 1.200 × 1.54 | 1.848 m³ |
| With 5% wastage | 1.200 × 1.05 | 1.260 m³ (44.5 cft) |
Step 2 — Materials
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cement | 5.6 bags (280 kg) |
| Sand | 0.58 m³ (20.6 cft) |
| Aggregate | 1.16 m³ (41.1 cft) |
Therefore, approximately 1.26 m³ (44.5 cft) of PCC concrete should be ordered or batched for this layer, needing 5.6 cement bags, while sand and aggregate are estimated separately for site mixing.
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides approximate results for planning and estimation purposes only. Actual requirements may vary based on site conditions, materials, workmanship, and local building regulations. Always consult a qualified engineer, architect, or construction professional before making final decisions.