How to Make Concrete Ratio

Concrete is made of cement, sand and gravel mixed with water. The mix ratio for a basic concrete mix design is 1:2:4. What does that mean exactly? That means 1 part portland cement, 2 parts sand and 4 parts gravel. It doesn't matter whether you are measuring with a small scoop, a shovel, a bucket or a wheelbarrow, or if you are measuring by weight, as long as the ratio remains the same, you will have good, strong concrete.

For example - if you weigh out one pound of portland cement powder, you would mix that with two pounds of sand and four pounds of gravel to keep your the 1-2-4 ratio. The same if you use one cup of cement, you would add two cups of sand and four cups of gravel.

The ingredients in a basic concrete mix play an important role in the strength and quality of the finished concrete. For an easy DIY concrete mix, you want regular portland cement which can come with different names, depending on your geographical area, such as type GU (general use), type N (normal), type 1, or type 10.

You also want to use sand that is sterilized, sharp, and graded for masonry applications. This type of sand has sharp, jagged edges that form a stronger bond than something like Play Sand that is tumbled to lose the sharp, jagged edges that give sharp sand better bonding properties. The gravel in a concrete mix is generally of a construction grade, commonly a 1/2" or 3/4" clear gravel. Again, you want this clean and free of debris.

This basic concrete 1-2-4 mix ratio is useful for many different projects and applications. There is a host of different concrete mix designs but this simple one will result in strong, reliable concrete that you are able to make and apply yourself and should last for decades to come.

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[thebotanicalblueprint]

Hi, really enjoy your videos! Trying to get my head around self-mixing concrete. I'm following the instructions of the manufacturer but not sure if I'm doing it right. Could you share images of 'what the perfect mix' looks like? I will check your other videos as well. Thanks!

[ClairFonce-Decoration]

Hi Steve, can we make a mix without gravel and keep the resistance ? What is the good ratio for you ?

[mogbaba]

Germans built several concrete buildings in Norway during WW2. After the war, the Norwegians decided to demolish one of the buildings, but they could not do that. The concrete was so strong that, at least in the 1960s, it was indestructible. Did they have a different formula?
Thanks for the video.

[erniem]

Should the ratios be measured by volume or weight? Do the numbers change if I want to measure by weight?

[hamzazaim]

What if gravel is not added. Would the water ratio change ? Im doing 10cmx10cn pots

[loganwintry]

What is your opinion of fast set all crete? I am preparing for an event in a month and I'm trying to make as many molds possible. Mind you, my projects are no longer than my fist.

[stanislavkhanin]

Love you videos) I'm able to cast myself now, teacher 🙏🏽 in a description to this video you suggest that mix ratio can be both by weight or volume. Aren't they very different? E.g. a bucket of bigger stones may have more space between them and weigh less than a bucket of small stones. Should we better stick with weight ratio then? What do you think)?

[gintarasvitkauskas]

what if i use only cement and sand. what ratio then ?

[thebotanicalblueprint]

hello! Another question :-) Do you use the same mix to create those small pots on the shelf in front of you? Or do you use a sand - cement mix?