Aggregate Gradation











Aggregate Gradation Calculator | Sieve Analysis Tool 2026 | IS 383:2016 IS 2386


Aggregate Gradation Calculator

Sieve Analysis Tool 2026 — IS 383:2016 Zone Classification, Fineness Modulus, Gradation Curve & IS 10262:2019 Mix Design Guidance for Fine & Coarse Aggregates

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Sieve Analysis & Aggregate Grading – Why It Matters for Concrete Mix Design 2026

Sieve analysis (particle size distribution test) is the most fundamental aggregate quality test in concrete technology. The gradation of your fine aggregate determines its IS 383:2016 zone classification, which directly governs the recommended FA:CA ratio in IS 10262:2019 Annex A. A zone classification error in mix design — for example, using Zone II defaults when the actual sand is Zone III or Zone IV — can increase water demand by 10–25 kg/m³, raise cement content by 15–35 kg/m³, and reduce durability. This calculator performs a complete IS 2386 Part 1 sieve analysis, classifies the aggregate per IS 383:2016, and provides mix design guidance for IS 10262:2019.

How This Calculator Works

  • Fine Aggregate Tab: Enter the mass retained on each of the 7 IS 383 standard sieves (4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600µm, 300µm, 150µm, Pan). The calculator computes % retained, cumulative % retained, cumulative % passing, fineness modulus, and classifies the sand into Zone I, II, III, or IV per IS 383:2016. The gradation curve is plotted against all four zone boundary envelopes
  • Coarse Aggregate Tab: Enter mass retained on the relevant IS sieves for your nominated CA size (10mm, 20mm, or 40mm). The calculator verifies compliance with IS 383:2016 coarse aggregate grading limits
  • IS 10262 Guidance: Based on the classified zone and your entered w/c range, the calculator outputs the recommended FA% for your mix design per IS 10262:2019 Annex A Table A-1
  • Sample Presets: Load pre-filled example data for each zone or aggregate type to see what typical results look like before entering your own data

Sieve Analysis Calculator – IS 383:2016 & IS 2386 Part 1




Enter the mass retained on each sieve in grams. The total sample mass is typically 500–1000g for fine aggregate per IS 2386 Part 1. Enter 0 for any sieve with no retained material.

Load Example:






IS Sieve Size Mass Retained (g) % Retained Cum. % Retained Cum. % Passing Zone I Limit Zone II Limit Zone III Limit Zone IV Limit





Total Sample Mass
—
grams
Fineness Modulus
—
FM
IS 383:2016 Zone
—
 
Pan Loss
—
%

Gradation Curve – Particle Size Distribution


IS 10262:2019 Mix Design Guidance

Full Sieve Analysis Results

Sieve Mass Ret. (g) % Retained Cum. % Ret. Cum. % Passing Zone I Zone II Zone III Zone IV

Select your coarse aggregate nominal maximum size and enter mass retained on each relevant IS sieve. Compliance is checked against IS 383:2016 single-size grading limits.






IS Sieve Size Mass Retained (g) % Retained Cum. % Retained Cum. % Passing IS 383 Min% IS 383 Max% Compliance



Total Sample Mass
—
grams
Nominal Max Size
—
mm
Compliance
—
 
Sieves Checked
—
sieves

IS 383:2016 Fine Aggregate Grading Zones – Reference Chart & Zone Classification Guide

← Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

IS Sieve Zone I (% Passing) Zone II (% Passing) Preferred Zone III (% Passing) Zone IV (% Passing) Combined Grading M-Sand Zone II
10.00 mm 100 100 100 100 100 100
4.75 mm 90 – 100 90 – 100 90 – 100 95 – 100 95 – 100 90 – 100
2.36 mm 60 – 95 75 – 100 85 – 100 95 – 100 80 – 100 75 – 100
1.18 mm 30 – 70 55 – 90 75 – 100 90 – 100 70 – 100 55 – 90
600 µm 15 – 34 35 – 59 60 – 79 80 – 100 55 – 100 35 – 65
300 µm 5 – 20 8 – 30 12 – 40 15 – 50 10 – 50 10 – 35
150 µm 0 – 10 0 – 10 0 – 10 0 – 15 0 – 15 0 – 20
FM Range 3.5 – 4.0 2.9 – 3.5 2.3 – 2.9 1.6 – 2.3 2.6 – 3.5 2.9 – 3.5
Zone FM Range Character Water Demand vs Zone II IS 10262 FA% Adjustment vs Zone II Baseline Grades Suitable Best For
Zone I 3.5 – 4.0 Coarse sand −5 to −10 kg/m³ +4 to +6% more FA M15 – M45 Mass concrete; low water requirement
Zone II Preferred 2.9 – 3.5 Standard sand Baseline IS 10262 Annex A default M15 – M70 All structural concrete
Zone III 2.3 – 2.9 Medium fine +5 to +10 kg/m³ −4 to −6% less FA M15 – M45 Pump mixes; better finish
Zone IV 1.6 – 2.3 Very fine +15 to +25 kg/m³ −8 to −10% less FA M15 – M30 only Smooth finishes; NOT M35+

FM Change Adjustment Rule – IS 10262:2019 Annex A

  • ±0.1 FM change from design FM: Monitor; no immediate action needed
  • ±0.2 FM change: Adjust FA:CA ratio by ±3% — coarser sand needs more FA, finer needs less FA
  • ±0.3 FM change or zone crossing: Formal mix design revision required; trial mix before production continues
  • Weekly FM monitoring: Best practice and CPWD requirement for all M30+ concrete

How to Conduct a Sieve Analysis – IS 2386 Part 1:1963 Step-by-Step Procedure 2026

Equipment Required

  • IS standard test sieves: 10mm, 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600µm, 300µm, 150µm (and pan) for fine aggregate
  • Balance: Accurate to 0.1g for fine aggregate; accurate to 1g for coarse aggregate
  • Sieve shaker (mechanical or manual) with lid and pan
  • Oven at 105°C ± 5°C for drying
  • Dry brushes for cleaning sieves between tests

Step-by-Step Procedure (IS 2386 Part 1:1963)

  1. Sample Selection: Collect representative sample using quartering method. Dry at 105°C to constant mass. Minimum sample: 500g for fine aggregate (IS 2386); 5 kg for 20mm CA; 10 kg for 40mm CA
  2. Weigh Sample: Weigh the dry sample to 0.1g accuracy. Record as W_total (g)
  3. Stack Sieves: Arrange sieves in descending order (largest at top). Place pan at the bottom. Stack order for FA: 10mm → 4.75mm → 2.36mm → 1.18mm → 600µm → 300µm → 150µm → Pan
  4. Pour Sample: Pour the dry sample onto the top sieve. Place lid
  5. Shake: Mechanical shaker: 10–15 minutes. Manual shaking: each sieve shaken individually for 2 minutes with circular, rocking motion until not more than 1% passes in 1 minute of additional shaking
  6. Weigh Retained: Weigh the material retained on each sieve individually. Record all masses to 0.1g
  7. Check Loss: Sum all retained masses + pan. Difference from original mass = loss. Acceptable loss: ≤ 1% of original sample mass. If loss > 1%, repeat the test
  8. Calculate: Enter masses in the calculator above to compute % retained, cumulative % retained, cumulative % passing, fineness modulus, and zone classification automatically

Common Errors in Sieve Analysis – 2026 Site Advisory

  • Wet sample: Always dry to constant mass before sieving. Damp sand clumps and gives false high retained values on finer sieves — significantly overestimating FM
  • Overloading sieves: IS 2386 Part 1 limits mass on each sieve to prevent blocking. Rule of thumb: mass per sieve (g) ≤ 200 × (sieve aperture in mm). Overloaded sieves give false coarser results
  • Loss > 1%: Material between or below sieves invalidates the test. Inspect sieve seals; ensure pan is fully seated; use clean sieves with no blocked apertures
  • Not cleaning sieves: Residual material from previous tests in sieve apertures shifts results. Clean each sieve with a soft brush before use — never use wire brushes or wash with water during a test sequence
  • Wrong quartering: Using a non-representative sample (e.g. only surface material from stockpile) gives results unrepresentative of the full aggregate population. Always use the cone-and-quarter or riffle-box method
  • FM calculation error: The 10mm sieve IS NOT included in the FM calculation for fine aggregate. Only include the 6 standard sieves: 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600µm, 300µm, and 150µm