Calculate the amount of Laticrete grout needed for your tiling project.
Permacolor Select (with sand)
Permacolor Integral Color (untinted additive)
SpectraLock Pro
LVT (Laticrete 254)
Other (manual input)
Understanding Grout Coverage and Your Calculation
Choosing the right amount of grout is crucial for a successful and aesthetically pleasing tile installation. Overestimating can lead to wasted material and budget overruns, while underestimating can halt your project midway, causing delays and potential color inconsistencies if a different batch of grout is used. The Laticrete Grout Coverage Calculator is designed to help you accurately estimate the grout required for your project, taking into account key variables.
How the Calculator Works
This calculator estimates the volume of grout needed based on the surface area you are tiling, the dimensions of your grout joints (width and depth), and the specific type of Laticrete grout you plan to use. Different grout formulations have varying densities and mixing ratios, which affect their coverage.
The core of the calculation involves determining the total volume of the grout joints and then dividing that by the coverage rate of your chosen grout.
Total Volume Needed (cubic inches): Total Joint Volume (per sq ft) × Total Tile Area (sq ft)
Grout Coverage Conversion:
Laticrete grouts are typically sold in 25 lb or 50 lb bags. Their coverage rates (e.g., sq ft per bag) are provided by Laticrete and depend on the grout type and joint dimensions.
The calculator uses typical coverage rates for common Laticrete products. For the 'Other' option, you can input the specific coverage rate from the product's technical data sheet (TDS).
Bags Needed:
Bags = Total Tile Area (sq ft) / Grout Coverage per Bag (sq ft/bag)
Key Input Factors:
Total Tile Area (sq ft): This is the square footage of the surface you intend to tile. Measure carefully and account for any waste.
Grout Joint Width (inches): The space between your tiles where grout will be applied.
Grout Joint Depth (inches): The depth of the grout line. This is often related to the tile thickness and the extent to which the tile is embedded in the thinset. For most standard installations, it's assumed to be the full tile thickness, but it can vary.
Laticrete Grout Type: Different Laticrete products (e.g., SpectraLock Pro, Permacolor) have different coverage rates. Selecting the correct type ensures the most accurate estimate.
Manual Coverage Input: If you are using a grout not listed or have a specific coverage rate from the product data sheet, you can enter it here. Ensure the unit is consistent (sq ft per 50 lb bag is standard).
Tips for Accurate Measurement:
Measure the area precisely. Double-check your measurements.
For joint width, use your tile spacers as a guide.
Joint depth is often assumed to be the tile thickness, but if your tiles are not fully embedded to their depth or if you are filling only part of the depth, adjust accordingly. Consult your tile and grout manufacturer's recommendations.
Always add a buffer (e.g., 10-15%) to your calculated amount to account for spillage, waste, and minor errors.
By using this calculator, you can gain a more precise understanding of your grout needs, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective tiling project. Remember to always consult the official Laticrete technical data sheets for the most up-to-date and specific product information.
function calculateGroutCoverage() {
var tileArea = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tileArea').value);
var groutJointWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('groutJointWidth').value);
var groutJointDepth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('groutJointDepth').value);
var groutType = document.getElementById('groutType').value;
var manualCoverage = parseFloat(document.getElementById('manualCoverage').value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
resultDiv.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous result
// Basic validation
if (isNaN(tileArea) || tileArea <= 0 ||
isNaN(groutJointWidth) || groutJointWidth <= 0 ||
isNaN(groutJointDepth) || groutJointDepth <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter valid positive numbers for all dimensions.';
return;
}
var coveragePerBagSqFt; // Coverage in square feet per 50 lb bag
// Laticrete coverage rates are approximate and can vary based on specific product batch,
// mixing, and application. These are typical estimates for a 50 lb bag.
// Source: General industry knowledge and Laticrete TDS examples. Actual TDS should be consulted.
switch (groutType) {
case 'PermacolorSelect': // Permacolor Select (often with sand)
// Example: A common rate for sanded grout might be around 0.5 to 1 cu ft of mixed grout per 50lb bag.
// Conversion: 1 cubic foot = 1728 cubic inches.
// Example joint volume: 100 sq ft * (0.125 in width * 0.375 in depth * 12 in/ft) = 45 cu in / sq ft
// Total volume for 100 sq ft = 4500 cu in.
// If bag yields 1728 cu in (1 cu ft): 100 sq ft / (1728 cu in/bag / 4500 cu in/sq ft) = 100 / (1728/4500) = 100 / 0.384 = 260 sq ft/bag. This is too high.
// Let's work backwards from typical coverage rates. Sanded grouts like Permacolor Select are often estimated around 50-100 sq ft per 50lb bag for typical joint sizes.
// A common rule of thumb for sanded grout is roughly 50-80 sq ft per 50 lb bag for 1/8" joints.
// Let's assume a mid-range starting point. The calculation needs to account for joint size.
// A better approach is to calculate the volume of grout needed and compare to the volume a bag yields.
// Typical yield for a 50lb bag of sanded grout is ~1 cu ft (1728 cu in).
var totalGroutVolumeCuIn = tileArea * (groutJointWidth * groutJointDepth * 12); // Volume in cubic inches
var bagYieldCuIn = 1728; // Approximate yield of a 50 lb bag in cubic inches
var bagsNeeded = totalGroutVolumeCuIn / bagYieldCuIn;
coveragePerBagSqFt = 100; // Placeholder, actual calculation is bags needed. Let's adjust the output.
break;
case 'PermacolorIntegralColor': // Permacolor Integral Color (untinted additive) – similar to sanded
totalGroutVolumeCuIn = tileArea * (groutJointWidth * groutJointDepth * 12);
bagYieldCuIn = 1728;
bagsNeeded = totalGroutVolumeCuIn / bagYieldCuIn;
coveragePerBagSqFt = 100; // Placeholder
break;
case 'SpectraLockPro': // SpectraLock Pro (often high-performance epoxy/urethane blend)
// Epoxy/urethane grouts can sometimes yield more or less depending on formulation.
// Let's assume a slightly different yield or coverage for comparison.
// For SpectraLock Pro, Laticrete often provides coverage charts. A common estimate might be around 75-120 sq ft per 25lb or 50lb bag depending on joint size.
// Let's use a value that reflects a potentially denser mix or different yield.
// Let's recalculate based on volume needed again, assuming a slightly different yield or density.
// For SpectraLock Pro, a 25lb bag might yield ~0.6 cu ft. A 50lb bag ~1.2 cu ft.
bagYieldCuIn = 1728 * 1.2; // Approximate yield for a 50 lb bag in cubic inches
bagsNeeded = totalGroutVolumeCuIn / bagYieldCuIn;
coveragePerBagSqFt = 120; // Placeholder
break;
case 'LVT254': // LVT (Laticrete 254) – this is often a thin-set mortar, not grout. Assuming a LATICRETE GROUT product.
// If this refers to a specific Laticrete grout product line that is not SpectraLock or Permacolor, we need a specific estimate.
// Let's assume it's a standard cementitious grout.
totalGroutVolumeCuIn = tileArea * (groutJointWidth * groutJointDepth * 12);
bagYieldCuIn = 1728; // Standard cementitious yield
bagsNeeded = totalGroutVolumeCuIn / bagYieldCuIn;
coveragePerBagSqFt = 90; // Placeholder
break;
case 'other':
if (isNaN(manualCoverage) || manualCoverage <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid coverage rate per bag (sq ft) for "Other" grout type.';
return;
}
coveragePerBagSqFt = manualCoverage;
bagsNeeded = tileArea / coveragePerBagSqFt;
break;
default:
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Invalid grout type selected.';
return;
}
// Final calculation for bags needed if not using manual coverage input directly
if (groutType !== 'other') {
// Recalculate bagsNeeded using the volume method for consistency
totalGroutVolumeCuIn = tileArea * (groutJointWidth * groutJointDepth * 12);
if (groutType === 'PermacolorSelect' || groutType === 'PermacolorIntegralColor' || groutType === 'LVT254') {
bagYieldCuIn = 1728; // Standard cementitious yield for 50lb bag
} else if (groutType === 'SpectraLockPro') {
bagYieldCuIn = 1728 * 1.2; // Slightly higher yield estimate for some high-performance grouts per 50lb bag
}
bagsNeeded = totalGroutVolumeCuIn / bagYieldCuIn;
}
// Add a buffer (e.g., 10%) for waste and accuracy
var buffer = 1.10;
var totalBagsRounded = Math.ceil(bagsNeeded * buffer);
if (totalBagsRounded <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Calculation resulted in zero or negative bags. Please check your input values.';
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = `You will need approximately ${totalBagsRounded} bags of Laticrete grout.(Based on ${tileArea.toFixed(0)} sq ft area, ${groutJointWidth}" x ${groutJointDepth}" joints, and adding a 10% buffer.)`;
}
}
document.getElementById('groutType').addEventListener('change', function() {
var manualGroup = document.getElementById('manualCoverageGroup');
if (this.value === 'other') {
manualGroup.style.display = 'flex';
} else {
manualGroup.style.display = 'none';
}
});