Paint & interior · updated 2026
Grout Calculator — Bags Needed
Grout coverage depends on two things: how many joints per square foot (that's tile size) and how wide they are. Small tile with wide joints drinks grout; big tile with tight joints sips it. This grout calculator takes your tile area, tile size, and joint width and returns 25-lb bag counts, with 2026 costs. Coverage figures below are per 25-lb bag of cement grout.
Wider joints need much more grout
Show the math
Coverage = 100.0 sq ft per 25-lb bag (12×12 in, ¼ in joints)
Bags = ⌈100.0 ÷ 100.0⌉ = 1
Cost = 1 × $15–$25/bag
What the numbers mean
The calculator converts your measurements into a practical purchase quantity using a documented coverage or spacing assumption.
Any whole-unit quantity is rounded up so the result does not leave you short during the project.
Use the cost range as a planning baseline and confirm the final quantity, availability, and delivery charge with your local supplier.
2026 material prices
| Material | 2026 average price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sanded grout, 25-lb bag | $15.00 – $25.00 / 25-lb bag | For joints ⅛ in and wider |
| Unsanded grout, 25-lb bag | $15.00 – $25.00 / 25-lb bag | For joints under ⅛ in |
| Epoxy grout kit | $60.00 – $100.00 / kit | Stain-proof; harder to work with |
Wave 1 Batch 3 content price guide, Sep 2026. 2026 U.S. national averages. Prices vary by region and retailer — confirm locally before buying.
Pro tips
- Sanded for ⅛-in joints and wider, unsanded below that — and never sanded grout on polished stone, which it scratches.
- Mix grout in small batches; it firms up in the bucket in about 30–45 minutes.
- Dampen (don't soak) the joints before grouting dry tile — dry tile sucks water out of the mix and weakens it.
- Strike joints with a damp sponge in diagonal passes; straight passes pull grout back out of the joints.
- Seal cement grout after 72 hours — unsealed grout stains on contact in kitchens and baths.
- A 100 sq ft floor of 12×12 with ¼-in joints needs 1 bag — about $15–$25.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much grout for 100 sq ft of 12×12 with ¼-in joints?
⌈100 ÷ 100⌉ = 1 twenty-five-lb bag.
What about 4×4 tile?
⌈100 ÷ 40⌉ = 3 bags — small tile means far more joints per square foot.
How about 200 sq ft with ⅛-in joints?
⌈200 ÷ 150⌉ = 2 bags.
Sanded or unsanded grout?
Sanded for ⅛-in joints and up; unsanded for tighter joints — and never sanded on polished stone.
What does it cost?
$15–$25 per bag — most single rooms need 1–2 bags.
Is epoxy grout worth it?
In showers and kitchens, yes — it's stain-proof and never needs sealing, but it sets fast and costs $60–$100.
Related calculators
Planning estimates only. Prices are 2026 U.S. national averages and vary by region — confirm with your local supplier before buying.