Grout Quantity Chart: Sq Ft per 25-lb Bag by Tile & Joint

What does 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag mean?

On the default — a 12×12 in tile with a 1/4 in joint — one 25-lb bag of Polyblend Plus grout covers 177 sq ft. A 100 sq ft floor needs 0.56 bags exactly, so you buy 1 bag. The coverage is the manufacturer’s published figure from the Polyblend Plus Sanded Grout coverage chart (TDS-360, published January 16, 2025) — it is a measurement, not a calculation, and the lookup and the table below never contradict each other.

Three things about the model are worth stating plainly.

First, the coverage is 177 sq ft a bag and the job is 100 sq ft — the coverage and the area are two outputs, never the same number. Second, the meaning is 0.56 bags of grout for 100 sq ft of 12×12 in tile — the grout that fills the joints, not the tile itself. And third, the bags to buy are the exact bags rounded up: 177.5 sq ft displays as 1.00 bags but still needs 2 bags — the ceiling, not the display, decides — all listed in Accuracy & limitations.

The full chart — sq ft per 25-lb bag (Polyblend Plus Sanded Grout, TDS-360)

Source: Custom Building Products, Polyblend® Plus Sanded Grout, Technical Data Sheet TDS-360, coverage chart for a 25-lb bag, published January 16, 2025. The chart is for estimating purposes — coverage may vary based on installation practices and jobsite conditions.

1×1 in: 1/8 in joint — 54 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 40; 1/4 in — 33; 3/8 in — 27; 1/2 in — 24.

2×2 in: 1/8 in joint — 96 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 68; 1/4 in — 54; 3/8 in — 40; 1/2 in — 33.

3×3 in: 1/8 in joint — 138 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 96; 1/4 in — 74; 3/8 in — 54; 1/2 in — 43.

4.25×4.25 in: 1/8 in joint — 192 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 131; 1/4 in — 101; 3/8 in — 71; 1/2 in — 56.

6×6 in: 1/8 in joint — 266 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 181; 1/4 in — 139; 3/8 in — 96; 1/2 in — 75.

8×8 in: 1/8 in joint — 234 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 158; 1/4 in — 121; 3/8 in — 83; 1/2 in — 64.

12×12 in: 1/8 in joint — 348 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 234; 1/4 in — 177; 3/8 in — 121; 1/2 in — 92.

16×16 in: 1/8 in joint — 462 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 310; 1/4 in — 234; 3/8 in — 158; 1/2 in — 121.

18×18 in: 1/8 in joint — 518 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 348; 1/4 in — 262; 3/8 in — 177; 1/2 in — 135.

20×20 in: 1/8 in joint — 574 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 385; 1/4 in — 291; 3/8 in — 196; 1/2 in — 149.

24×24 in: 1/8 in joint — 688 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 461; 1/4 in — 348; 3/8 in — 234; 1/2 in — 177.

6×24 in: 1/8 in joint — 279 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 189; 1/4 in — 143; 3/8 in — 98; 1/2 in — 75.

12×24 in: 1/8 in joint — 461 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 310; 1/4 in — 234; 3/8 in — 158; 1/2 in — 121.

6×36 in: 1/8 in joint — 299 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 202; 1/4 in — 153; 3/8 in — 104; 1/2 in — 80.

9×36 in: 1/8 in joint — 416 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 279; 1/4 in — 211; 3/8 in — 143; 1/2 in — 109.

12×48 in: 1/8 in joint — 552 sq ft a bag; 3/16 in — 370; 1/4 in — 279; 3/8 in — 189; 1/2 in — 143.

Adjustment notes — waste, cuts, grout type, tile thickness

Waste. The chart figures are exact coverage with no waste allowance. Add 10% for cuts, waste and repairs — a 100 sq ft floor at 177 sq ft a bag needs 0.62 bags with waste, still 1 bag, but a 1,000 sq ft floor needs 6 bags exactly and 7 with waste. Buy one extra bag and keep it for repairs: color matching across batches is unreliable.

Cuts and layout. A diagonal layout or a staggered pattern adds grout lines, so the coverage drops by roughly 10–15%. Measure the area after the layout is set, not before.

Grout type. Sanded grout suits joints 1/8 in and wider; unsanded grout suits joints under 1/8 in. This chart is for Polyblend Plus sanded grout — a 1/16 in mosaic joint needs unsanded grout, and the coverage is different.

Tile thickness. The chart assumes the tile thicknesses in the TDS — 1/4 in thick for tile up to 6×6 in, 3/8 in thick for 8 in and larger. A thicker tile has deeper joints and uses more grout than the chart says.

The worked example, line by line

Setup: tile size 12×12 in; joint width 1/4 in; area 100 sq ft.

Line 1 — the coverage. The chart gives 12×12 in tile at a 1/4 in joint 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag.

Line 2 — the exact bags. 100 ÷ 177 = 0.56 bags.

Line 3 — the bags to buy. 0.56 rounded up is 1 bag.

Line 4 — with 10% waste. 100 × 1.1 ÷ 177 = 0.62 bags — still 1 bag.

Line 5 — the check. At 177 sq ft the job needs exactly 1.00 bags — and at 178 sq ft it needs 2 bags.

Every branch, checked

1×1 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 1×1 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 33 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 3.03 bags — buy 4 bags

24×24 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 24×24 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 348 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.29 bags — buy 1 bag

12×12 in tile, 1/2 in joint: 12×12 in tile, 1/2 in joint: 92 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 1.09 bags — buy 2 bags

12×12 in tile, 1/8 in joint: 12×12 in tile, 1/8 in joint: 348 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.29 bags — buy 1 bag

500 sq ft: 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 500.00 sq ft needs 2.82 bags — buy 3 bags

1,000 sq ft: 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 1,000.00 sq ft needs 5.65 bags — buy 6 bags

6×24 in tile, 3/8 in joint: 6×24 in tile, 3/8 in joint: 98 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 1.02 bags — buy 2 bags

2×2 in tile, 1/8 in joint: 2×2 in tile, 1/8 in joint: 96 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 1.04 bags — buy 2 bags

12×48 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 12×48 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 279 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.36 bags — buy 1 bag

177 sq ft: 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 177.00 sq ft needs 1.00 bags — buy 1 bag

The reverses, worked backwards

Smallest area where 2 bags are needed (12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint): At the displayed 178 sq ft the figures are 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 178.00 sq ft needs 1.01 bags (unrounded 1.005650 bags) — buy 2 bags. At 177 sq ft the figures are 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 177.00 sq ft needs 1.00 bags (unrounded 1.000000 bags) — buy 1 bag — the job needs exactly 1.00 bags — buy 1 — so 178 sq ft is the smallest area where 2 bags are needed.

Largest area 1 bag covers (12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint): At the displayed 177 sq ft the figures are 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 177.00 sq ft needs 1.00 bags (unrounded 1.000000 bags) — buy 1 bag. At 176 sq ft the figures are 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 176.00 sq ft needs 0.99 bags (unrounded 0.994350 bags) — buy 1 bag — the job needs 0.99 bags — buy 1 — so 177 sq ft is the largest area 1 bag covers.

Smallest tile where the coverage reaches 200 sq ft a bag at a 1/4 in joint: At the displayed 16×16 in tile the figures are 16×16 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 234 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.43 bags (unrounded 0.427350 bags) — buy 1 bag. At 12×12 in tile the figures are 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.56 bags (unrounded 0.564972 bags) — buy 1 bag — the coverage is 177 sq ft a bag — so 16×16 in is the smallest tile where the coverage reaches 200 sq ft a bag.

Largest joint width where a 12×12 in tile still covers at least 200 sq ft a bag: At the displayed 3/16 in joint the figures are 12×12 in tile, 3/16 in joint: 234 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.43 bags (unrounded 0.427350 bags) — buy 1 bag. At 1/4 in joint the figures are 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.56 bags (unrounded 0.564972 bags) — buy 1 bag — the coverage is 177 sq ft a bag — so 3/16 in is the largest joint width where a 12×12 in tile still covers at least 200 sq ft a bag.

Smallest area where 3 bags are needed (12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint): At the displayed 355 sq ft the figures are 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 355.00 sq ft needs 2.01 bags (unrounded 2.005650 bags) — buy 3 bags. At 354 sq ft the figures are 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 354.00 sq ft needs 2.00 bags (unrounded 2.000000 bags) — buy 2 bags — the job needs exactly 2.00 bags — buy 2 — so 355 sq ft is the smallest area where 3 bags are needed.

Largest joint width where a 24×24 in tile still covers at least 300 sq ft a bag: At the displayed 1/4 in joint the figures are 24×24 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 348 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.29 bags (unrounded 0.287356 bags) — buy 1 bag. At 3/8 in joint the figures are 24×24 in tile, 3/8 in joint: 234 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.43 bags (unrounded 0.427350 bags) — buy 1 bag — the coverage is 234 sq ft a bag — so 1/4 in is the largest joint width where a 24×24 in tile still covers at least 300 sq ft a bag.

A warning about the neighbours: every neighbour above sits one square foot, one tile size or one joint width from the star, and every neighbour figure is a different bag count even though the job barely changed — the ceiling, not the exact figure, decides. The page prints the unrounded exact bags in full so the rounding does not mislead you: R1 178 / 177 sq ft; R2 177 / 176 sq ft; R3 16×16 / 12×12 in; R4 3/16 / 1/8 in; R5 355 / 354 sq ft; R6 1/4 / 1/8 in.

What the defaults assume

The defaults are a 12×12 in tile with a 1/4 in joint over 100 sq ft — 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.56 bags — buy 1 bag. With 1×1 in tile, 1/4 in joint, 1×1 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 33 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 3.03 bags — buy 4 bags. With 24×24 in tile, 1/4 in joint, 24×24 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 348 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.29 bags — buy 1 bag. With 12×12 in tile, 1/2 in joint, 12×12 in tile, 1/2 in joint: 92 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 1.09 bags — buy 2 bags. With 12×12 in tile, 1/8 in joint, 12×12 in tile, 1/8 in joint: 348 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.29 bags — buy 1 bag. With 500 sq ft, 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 500.00 sq ft needs 2.82 bags — buy 3 bags. With 1,000 sq ft, 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 1,000.00 sq ft needs 5.65 bags — buy 6 bags. With 6×24 in tile, 3/8 in joint, 6×24 in tile, 3/8 in joint: 98 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 1.02 bags — buy 2 bags. With 2×2 in tile, 1/8 in joint, 2×2 in tile, 1/8 in joint: 96 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 1.04 bags — buy 2 bags. With 12×48 in tile, 1/4 in joint, 12×48 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 279 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 100.00 sq ft needs 0.36 bags — buy 1 bag. With 177 sq ft, 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint: 177 sq ft per 25-lb bag; 177.00 sq ft needs 1.00 bags — buy 1 bag.

These notes repeat in every explainer section because this page is built to be read start to finish: the defaults are one tile’s numbers, not a standard; the coverage is the manufacturer’s figure, not a calculation; the bags to buy are the exact bags rounded up; and the chart is for estimating, not a specification.

Output · formula · meaning

Who uses this

A homeowner tiling a bathroom who needs to know how many bags to buy before the tile goes down — and whether one bag covers the whole floor.

A tile contractor who prices a job and needs the grout quantity for the estimate, tile size by tile size.

A DIY renovator who bought the tile and wants the grout in the same trip, without a second run to the store.

A store clerk who checks a customer’s tile and joint width against the chart before ringing up the bags.

Accuracy & limitations

The coverage figures are the manufacturer’s published chart — Custom Building Products Polyblend® Plus Sanded Grout, TDS-360, published January 16, 2025 — and every figure on this page is checked against that chart. What the chart cannot do is predict your job: coverage varies with installation practice and jobsite conditions, a thicker tile has deeper joints and uses more grout, and a diagonal layout adds grout lines. The exact bags are the chart coverage divided into the area, and the bags to buy are rounded up — the rounding is the point, not a detail: 177.5 sq ft displays as 1.00 bags but still needs 2 bags, and the page prints the unrounded figure so the rounding does not mislead you. And the chart covers sanded grout only — unsanded and epoxy grouts have different coverage, and the tile maker’s own instructions come first.

Cite this calculator

Grout coverage from the Custom Building Products Polyblend® Plus Sanded Grout coverage chart (TDS-360, published January 16, 2025): square feet covered by one 25-lb bag, by tile size and joint width. On the defaults — 12×12 in tile, 1/4 in joint, 100 sq ft — one 25-lb bag covers 177 sq ft, the job needs 0.56 bags exactly, and you buy 1 bag. Smallest area where 2 bags are needed: 178 sq ft. Largest area 1 bag covers: 177 sq ft. Smallest tile where the coverage reaches 200 sq ft a bag at a 1/4 in joint: 16×16 in. Largest joint width where a 12×12 in tile still covers at least 200 sq ft a bag: 3/16 in. Smallest area where 3 bags are needed: 355 sq ft. Largest joint width where a 24×24 in tile still covers at least 300 sq ft a bag: 1/4 in. Source: Bright Side Kit, brightoolbox.com; chart data: Custom Building Products, Polyblend Plus Sanded Grout TDS-360.

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