Which cement should you use?

Slab, plaster, foundation or wall — each needs a different cement. Here is which one, and why, in plain words.

The short answer

Match the cement to the job

There is no single "best" cement. There is a right one for each part of the building, and using the wrong one either costs you money or costs you strength.

Columns, beams and roof slabs

Use OPC 53

The structural parts of the building carry the load, so they need the cement that gains strength fastest and highest. OPC 53 is the standard choice for RCC work.

Also fine: OPC 43 works for lighter structures and smaller houses.

Brands we stock: Zuari, Chettinad, Dalmia, Nagarjuna, Sri Chakra

Foundations and mass concrete

Use PPC or PSC

Big pours generate heat as they set, and blended cements release that heat more slowly, so there is less risk of cracking. They also resist ground salts better.

Also fine: OPC 43 is fine for small footings.

Brands we stock: UltraTech, Ambuja, Bharathi, KCP, Zuari

Plastering and wall finishing

Use PPC or a plaster-grade cement

Plaster needs a smooth, workable mix that does not crack as it dries. Blended cement is finer and easier for the mason to work with than OPC 53.

Also fine: Ramco Super Plaster is made specifically for this.

Brands we stock: Ramco, UltraTech, Ambuja, Bharathi

Brickwork and block masonry

Use PPC

Mortar does not need high early strength — it needs to stay workable while the mason lays the course. PPC costs less than OPC 53 and suits the job better.

Also fine: Any blended cement is suitable.

Brands we stock: UltraTech, Ambuja, KCP, Bharathi

Work near the coast or in salty ground

Use PSC or slag-based cement

Salt attacks ordinary concrete and rusts the steel inside it. Slag-based cement is far more resistant, which is why it is used for coastal and marine work.

Also fine: Use corrosion-resistant (CRS) steel with it.

Brands we stock: JSW Concreel HD, JSW Power Pro

Repairs, tiling and waterproofing

Use Cement plus the right chemical

Cement alone will not bond new concrete to old, or keep a terrace dry. These jobs need an admixture or a waterproofing compound alongside the cement.

Also fine: Ask us which product suits the surface.

Brands we stock: UltraTech BPD liquids

Plain English

What the names on the bag mean

The letters and numbers are not marketing. They tell you what is inside and how strong it gets.

On the bag	What it means	Best used for
OPC 43	Ordinary Portland Cement, reaching 43 MPa strength. Plain cement, no additions.	Houses, small footings, general RCC
OPC 53	The same, but stronger and faster setting at 53 MPa.	Columns, beams, slabs, anything load-bearing
PPC	Portland Pozzolana Cement — OPC blended with fly ash. Sets slower, finishes smoother, lasts well.	Plastering, brickwork, foundations
PSC	Portland Slag Cement — blended with steel slag. Resists salt and chemicals.	Coastal sites, salty ground, water tanks
Composite	Blended with more than one material. Behaves much like PPC.	General construction
M20, M25	Not a cement — a concrete grade. The number is the strength the mixed concrete reaches.	Specified by your engineer

Still not sure? Tell us what you are building and we will tell you which bag to buy — that advice is free, whether you order from us or not.

Buying well

Five things worth checking

Check the date on the bag. Cement loses strength as it sits. Anything over about three months old should be used with care.
Feel the bag. Good cement is soft and loose. Hard lumps mean it has taken in moisture and should be rejected.
Buy what you will use. Cement does not store well on site. Order for the stage of work, not for the whole build.
Keep it off the floor. Stack bags on planks, away from walls, under cover. Damp from a concrete floor will ruin the bottom layer.
Do not mix brands in one pour. Different cements set at different rates. Finish a pour on the same brand and grade.

Work out how much you need

Our calculator gives you the bags of cement, tonnes of sand and aggregate for a slab, a plaster job or a wall — in a few seconds.

Open the calculator See brands & grades