Contania

Grout Calculator

Setting tile takes thinset mortar underneath and grout in the joints. Enter the tile area and the coverage per square foot for each to estimate the pounds of grout and thinset — and how many 50 lb bags of thinset to buy.

Your numbers

sq ft
lb/sq ft

Varies with tile size and joint — small tiles and wide joints use more.

lb/sq ft

A 50 lb bag covers roughly 50 sq ft with a 1/4 in trowel.

%
%

Result

Grout needed
11
lb
Thinset bags (50 lb)
3
Thinset neededlb
110
Tile areasq ft
100
Materials estimate
MaterialAmount
Grout11.0 lb
Thinset mortar110.0 lb
Thinset bags (50 lb)3
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How much grout you need

Grout use depends on the tile size and the joint width and depth. Small tiles and mosaics have far more joint per square foot than large-format tile, and wider joints use more. Coverage runs roughly 0.05 to 0.5 lb per sq ft — enter the figure for your tile and joint, multiply by the area, and add waste.

Thinset mortar to set the tile

Under the tile goes thinset mortar. A 50 lb bag covers roughly 50 sq ft with a 1/4 in notched trowel, less for large tiles that need a bigger trowel or back-buttering. Buy full bags and mix only what you can use before it sets.

Sanded vs unsanded, and sealing

Use sanded grout for joints wider than about 1/8 in and unsanded for tighter joints and polished stone that sanded grout could scratch. Many cement grouts need sealing after they cure to resist stains and moisture; epoxy grout does not. Keep a little extra for touch-ups.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

  • Tile setting materials (grout and thinset coverage per sq ft)

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