Tile Grout Calculator
Estimate grout amount and bags using tile size, joints, and area.
Quick guide
- Grout use depends on tile size, joint width, and joint depth.
- Smaller tiles and wider joints use more grout per square foot.
- Use the base vs waste split to see how much buffer you’re adding before you round up bags.
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- Always round up to whole bags and keep a little extra for repairs.
- Grout type affects yield and workflow (cement vs epoxy; sanded vs unsanded).
- Textured tile, uneven edges, and deep joints can increase usage beyond simple calculators—plan extra in those cases.
- Confirm the joint depth you plan to fill (often near tile thickness) so volume inputs match your real install.
- Changes of plane (wall-to-wall, wall-to-floor) are usually caulked, not grouted—plan sealant separately.
Joint width and tile size drive grout
Grout usage depends heavily on joint width and tile size. Small tiles and wider joints create more linear footage of joints per square foot, which increases grout consumption.
Product yields vary by brand and grout type (sanded/unsanded/epoxy), so use the label of the exact grout you plan to buy when possible.
Cleanup technique matters too: over-washing can remove grout from joints, while late cleanup can leave haze. Both can increase rework and waste.
Joint depth is not always equal to tile thickness. Mortar coverage, tile profile, and how fully you pack joints can change effective joint depth and change grout volume.
If you’re unsure about joint depth, assume you’ll fill close to the tile thickness, then adjust after a small test area. Shallow joints use less grout but can be weaker or look inconsistent (project dependent).
Epoxy grout tends to be less forgiving on working time and cleanup, but can be more stain resistant. That choice is about performance, not just quantity.
Movement joints and changes of plane are typically caulked (not grouted). Those details don’t add much to grout volume, but they do affect your shopping list and install plan.
Worked example approach: calculate with your planned joint width and depth, then compare against the product’s yield chart to see if you’re near a “one more bag” threshold—if you are, round up.
Tile Grout Calculator
Estimate grout amount and bags using tile size, joints, and area.
Results
- Grout (kg)
- 0.32
- Grout (lb)
- 0.7
- Base grout volume (liters)
- 0.2
- Waste buffer (liters)
- 0
- Grout volume (liters)
- 0.2
- Estimated bags
- 1
How to estimate grout
- Measure total tiled area and confirm tile length and width.
- Pick joint width and an average joint depth (often close to tile thickness).
- Convert the result to bags and add waste for spillage and cleanup.
- If you're using multiple tile sizes or patterns, estimate each area separately and sum the totals.
- If your tile has a textured face or irregular edges, increase waste (you’ll spend more grout and lose more during cleanup).
- If you’re grouting walls and floors, estimate them separately—working time and waste can differ by surface and access.
Assumptions to double-check
- Grout density and bag yields vary by product; use label info for best accuracy.
- Irregular tile edges and textured tiles can increase grout usage.
- Large-format tile with narrow joints typically uses less grout per area.
- Epoxy and specialty grouts have different yields and working times than cement grouts—follow the product guide.
- Your selected grout matches your joint width (some products have limits for narrow or wide joints).
- If you plan to use a matching caulk at changes of plane, that reduces grout in those lines but adds another material you need to buy.
Buying tips
- Choose sanded vs unsanded based on joint width and product recommendations.
- Mix small batches if you're new to grouting to reduce waste.
- If color matching matters, buy enough from the same lot when possible.
- If you plan to seal grout, verify whether your grout requires sealing (some are stain-resistant or epoxy).
- Use the manufacturer’s yield chart for your exact product and confirm units (lb bag vs kg, coverage per area).
- Have enough sponges/buckets and plan cleanup timing; cleanup problems waste grout faster than small estimating errors.
- If you need exact color consistency, buy an extra bag now—future lot differences can make repairs obvious.
- Change wash water often and use consistent sponge pressure; inconsistent cleanup is a common cause of haze and color variation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a joint width different from your install plan (it changes grout volume quickly).
- Ignoring textured/irregular tile edges that increase grout usage.
- Not buying enough from the same lot when color matching matters.
- Assuming joint depth equals tile thickness in all cases (mortar coverage and tile profile can change it).
- Mixing too much at once and losing material to setting/working time (especially with fast-setting or epoxy products).
- Over-washing joints during cleanup and then needing a second pass to refill low joints.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes only. Always verify measurements and product specifications.