M10 Concrete Ratio (1:3:6): Mix, Uses, W/C Ratio & Material Calculation in Kg

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M10 Concrete at First Glance Nominal Mix = 1:3:6 represents volumetric proportions = 1 part cement : 3 parts sand : 6 parts aggregate Characteristic strength = 10 MPa at 28 days Common Uses = Used for non-structural and general-purpose work like bedding & levelling courses Maximum water-cement ratio = 34 liter per 50kg cement  IS Code = IS 456:2000

 

I have worked in the field since 2018, but I have not used M10 concrete except for bedding, levelling courses, and temporary structures with low loads.

It is completely unsuitable for structural use as it has low compressive strength compared to other grades.

The main purpose of using the M10 concrete ratio is to cut the construction cost in less important structures by reducing the use of cement.

 

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  1. Skip manual calculations and use our interactive M10 material calculator  

I have developed this calculator to help you calculate the quantity of materials based on the grade of concrete.

Concrete mix calculator

Estimate cement, sand, aggregate and water for a pour.

IS 456:2000

GradeM10 (1:3:6)M15 (1:2:4)M20 (1:1.5:3)Custom ratio

Cement

Sand

Aggregate

Water-cement ratio

Use default

Unit

Meters Feet

Dimensions — length × width × depth

Calculate materials

Enter the dimensions of your slab, footing or column, then calculate to see how much cement, sand, aggregate and water you'll need.

Dry volume

0.00

Ratio

1:2:4

W/C

0.55

Cement 14% Sand 29% Aggregate 57%

Cement

0 kg0 bags

Sand

0 kg0 m³

Aggregate

0 kg0 m³

Water

0 kgw/c 0.55

Total dry materials0 kg

Calculation assumptions

Mix ratio1 : 2 : 4 (cement : sand : aggregate)

Dry volume factor× 1.54 (54% bulking + wastage allowance)

Cement density1440 kg/m³

Sand density1500 kg/m³, dry bulk

Aggregate density1500 kg/m³, dry bulk

Water-cement ratio0.55

Wastage allowanceNot added separately — covered by the 1.54 factor above

  2. M10 Concrete Ratio – Overview  

Concrete having a characteristic compressive strength of 10 MPa after 28 days of curing is known as M10 concrete.

M10 concrete ratio is 1:3:6. It indicates the cement : sand : aggregate ratio. It simply means that if 1 part of cement is used for making concrete, you should use 3 parts of sand and 6 parts of aggregate.¹

✔ In M10 concrete,

• “M” denotes the mix ratio of cement : sand : aggregate & “10” stands for compressive strength at 28 days in N/mm².

Table Based On: IS 456:2000 

  3. M10 Concrete Ratio Uses  

This concrete grade is commonly used for small temporary constructions. Some common uses of the M10 concrete ratio are:

✔ Used in the construction of mass concrete and foundations of less importance.

✔ Used in general-purpose temporary structures.

✔ Mostly used in the construction of parking areas, landscaping, gardening, bedding, etc.

  4. How to Prepare M10 Concrete?  

We can prepare M10 concrete on site in the following steps:  

a. Materials Selection

Choosing cement, sand, and aggregate based on requirements is the first step.

We commonly use OPC on site because it starts to set faster compared to PPC. If you need a cheaper one, then you can go with PPC.

Using too big aggregates may result in the development of cracks in concrete due to improper bonding, so using properly sized aggregate is important.  

b. Batching

Nominal mixes are given by volume. So, the M10 ratio represents 1 part cement : 3 parts sand : 6 parts aggregate by volume.  

c. Mixing of Materials

We can perform hand mixing or machine mixing based on suitability. Hand mixing may result in improper mixing, so my first choice is machine mixing.

d. Transportation & Placing 

Transporting of concrete should be done using an iron pan, wheelbarrow, or concrete pump. Then concrete is placed in the desired place.

e. Compaction of Concrete

Freshly placed concrete should be compacted with vibrators. The main aim of compaction is to remove air bubbles or air voids.  

f. Finishing of Surface

After concreting, the rough concrete surface is levelled and smoothed during the finishing process.  

g. Curing of concrete

Curing is done to support the hydration reaction of concrete that results in high strength of concrete.  

  5. Cement Sand Aggregate Calculation For 1 m³ M10 Concrete Ratio  

Now, Taking

Grade of Concrete = M10 Concrete

Mix Ratio = 1:3:6

Total sum of ratio = 1+3+6 = 10

Wet volume of Concrete = 1 m³. ( To get dry volume, wet volume is increased by 54%)

Dry volume of concrete = 1 + 0.54 = 1.54 m³ (54% is taken for losses and volume change due to compaction, batching method, etc.)

i. Cement Quantity Calculation

Quantity of cement

= (Own Ratio / Total sum of ratio) * Dry Volume

= (1/10) * 1.54

= 0.154 m³

Cement in kg

= volume of cement * density of cement

= 0.154 * 1440 = 221.76 kg

ii. Sand Quantity Calculation

Quantity of sand

= (Own Ratio / Total sum of ratio) * Dry Volume

= (3/10) * 1.54 = 0.462 m³

iii. Aggregate Quantity Calculation

Quantity of aggregate

= (Own Ratio / Total sum of ratio) * Dry Volume

= (6/10) * 1.54 = 0.924 m³

iv. Water Calculation

For inferior-quality concrete: W/C ratio = 0.60

For superior-quality concrete: W/C ratio = 0.55

Maximum amount of water required per m³ = 0.60 * 221.76 = 133.056 kg

(IS 456:2000 Table 9 allows up to 34 litres of water per 50 kg bag of cement, but 0.60 is taken here to prevent segregation and ensure proper workability.)

  6. How strong is M10 Concrete compared to other grades? 

Based on the strength of concrete, I have prepared this table comparing it with other concrete grades.

  7. FAQs About M10 Concrete 

a. Which standard is followed by the M10 Concrete Ratio?

Ans: M10 Concrete Ratio follows IS 456:2000 ( 2005 Reaffirmed): Plain and Reinforced Concrete – Code of Practice.

b. What is the commonly used water-cement ratio for M10 concrete?

Ans: For M10 Concrete, the commonly used water-cement ratio is 0.60.

c. What is M10 concrete?

Ans: It is a concrete having a compressive strength of 10 MPa (10 N/mm²) after 28 days of curing and prepared by using 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, and 6 parts aggregate.

d. What is the mix ratio of M10 concrete?

Ans: The mix ratio of M10 Concrete is 1:3:6.

e. What is the strength of M10 concrete?

Ans: M10 concrete has a compressive strength of 10 MPa (10 N/mm²).

f. Where is M10 concrete used?

Ans: It is used in the construction of bedding, parking, gardening, and similar less important structures that do not take much load.

g. Is M10 concrete suitable for RCC?

Ans: No, M10 concrete is not suitable for RCC work. The minimum grade to be used for RCC work is M20 as per IS 456.

h. How many cement bags are required for 1 m³ of M10 concrete?

Ans: 4.44 bags ( 221.76 kg ) of cement (50 kg each) are required to produce 1 cubic meter of M10 concrete.

i. What is the density of M10 concrete?

Ans: The density of M10 concrete is around 2400 kg/m³.

j. Can M10 concrete be used for house construction?

Ans: No, it cannot be used for structural elements (like beams, slabs, columns, etc) but can be used for non-structural elements and bedding work.

k. How long does M10 concrete take to gain full strength?

Ans: Like M10 concrete, all concrete grades need around 28 days to gain full strength.

l. Which is better, M15 or M10?

Ans: M15 concrete is better than M10 concrete because M15 concrete provides 25% more strength than M10 concrete.  

References: 

1. Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 456:2000 — Plain and Reinforced Concrete — Code of Practice https://law.resource.org/pub/in/bis/S03/is.456.2000.pdf [↩]