Choose what to find, then enter the joint width, depth and length (caulk) or the area and coverage (adhesive). The waste factor and price can be left blank.
Row
Width (mm)
Depth (mm)
Length (m)
Shape
1
2
3
4
Enter joint width and depth in mm and length in m (area in mm² × length in m gives mL directly). Leave rows you do not use blank.
Result and figure
Enter the joint width, depth and length (or the tubes of caulk you have, or the area for adhesive) on the left and press "Calculate". The result will appear here.
Table of Contents
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What you can do on this page
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What is this calculation used for?
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How to Use
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Formulas and figures
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Symbols and terms
-
Good to know before you start
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How to calculate it in Excel
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How to calculate it in Google Sheets
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How to calculate it in Python
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How to write it in LaTeX and other math languages (copy and paste)
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How to have ChatGPT do the calculation
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DataChef Features
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Related Features
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NumberChef Calculators List
What you can do on this page
- Enter the joint width and depth (in) and length (ft), and get the net amount of caulk (sealant) in fluid ounces. Enter up to 4 joints at once, such as around the tub, the kitchen counter, the windows and the siding
- A triangle bead run along an inside corner (wall to wall, or wall to tub) is calculated as a triangle cross-section (width × depth ÷ 2)
- It adds a waste factor (for excess you wipe off, the first bit you squeeze out, and what is left in the tube and nozzle), then rounds up to cartridges (10.1 fl oz, 5.5 fl oz or your own size) and shows what is left over
- For tile, flooring or wallpaper adhesive, it finds the gallons and cans from the area and the coverage (square feet per gallon)
- Switch to working backward to find how many feet of joint the tubes you have will fill. Enter a price to get the cost. A plain-language explanation of the formulas and copy-and-paste formulas for Excel, Google Sheets and Python are also on this page
The right joint width and depth, and the adhesive coverage, depend on the product and where it is used. Enter the values from the manufacturer's instructions or data sheet. For the number of tiles, use the "Tile Calculator". For cement-based grout or mortar, use the "Mortar and Concrete Mix Calculator" and "Brick Calculator" pages.
What is this calculation used for?
Re-caulking a bathtub or kitchen counter
When the caulk between a tub and the wall or between a sink and the backsplash turns moldy or dark, it is time to re-caulk. A 1/4 in × 1/4 in bead around three sides of a 5 ft tub (10 ft) is \(0.0625 \times 10 \times 12 \div 1.8047 \approx 4.16\) fl oz net, or about 4.99 fl oz with 20% waste, so one 10.1 fl oz cartridge is enough.
Knowing ahead whether the corners of the shower and the kitchen push you into a second tube saves a second trip to the store. Mildew-resistant silicone made for kitchens and baths is the usual choice, but follow the product label.
Reading a quote for exterior sealant work
Sealant around siding joints, trim and windows is often redone together with exterior painting, and quotes give it in linear feet. For 360 ft of joints 3/8 in wide and 3/8 in deep (0.140625 in²), the net amount is \(0.140625 \times 360 \times 12 \div 1.8047 \approx 336.6\) fl oz, or about 403.9 fl oz with 20% waste. That is \(\lceil 403.9 \div 10.1 \rceil = 40\) standard cartridges, or 15 of the 28 fl oz pro size.
Knowing the formula lets you follow where the quantities in a quote come from. (A real quote also includes removing the old sealant, primer, ladders or lifts and labor, so the tube count alone does not tell you whether the price is fair.)
Buying adhesive for tile or sheet flooring
For DIY jobs such as tiling an entry floor or gluing down sheet vinyl in a laundry room, the adhesive depends on the area and the coverage. For 50 ft² with adhesive that covers 40 ft² per gallon, the net amount is 1.25 gal, or 1.375 gal with 10% waste, so two 1 gal cans are enough.
The coverage changes with the trowel's notch size, so check the coverage and the trowel size on the product's data sheet before you calculate.
Sealing drafty windows
Small gaps around window frames that let in winter drafts can often be fixed with caulk. Sealing 1/4 in × 1/4 in gaps around 4 windows that are 3 ft × 5 ft (64 ft in all) takes \(0.0625 \times 64 \times 12 \div 1.8047 \approx 26.6\) fl oz net, or about 31.9 fl oz with 20% waste. That is 4 standard 10.1 fl oz cartridges or 6 squeeze tubes of 5.5 fl oz.
The smaller the joints, the larger the share left in the nozzle, so allowing a bit more waste is safer.
Formulas and figures
Joint cross-section area (square joint and triangle bead)
Figure
Standard notation
(the usual math form)
\(A\)
\(=\)
\(w\)
\(\times\)
\(d\)
\(A\)
\(=\)
\(w\)
\(\times\)
\(d\)
\(\div\)
\(2\)
In words
(symbols replaced with words)
③
\(A\): square joint area
\(=\)
①
\(w\): joint width
\(\times\)
②
\(d\): joint depth
\(A\): triangle bead area
\(=\)
\(w\): joint width
\(\times\)
\(d\): joint depth
\(\div\)
④
2 (a triangle is half a rectangle)
The formula in words
①
Multiply the
\(w\): joint width
by the
②
\(d\): joint depth
to get the
③
\(A\): square joint area
(the area of the rectangle you see when you slice across the joint).
④
A triangle bead in an inside corner has a right-triangle cross-section, so divide the rectangle by
2
Quick example
The cross-section area of a square joint 3/8 in wide and 1/4 in deep is (the second line is for a triangle bead of the same width and depth)
area \(A\)
\(=\)
width (0.375 in)
\(\times\)
depth (0.25 in)
\(0.375 \times 0.25 = 0.09375\,\mathrm{in^2}\)
\(0.375 \times 0.25 \div 2 = 0.046875\,\mathrm{in^2}\)
Key idea
Caulking is filling a long, narrow groove, the joint. If you slice across the joint, the cross-section is a rectangle of width \(w\) and depth \(d\), so its area is width × depth. For an inside corner, such as wall to wall or wall to tub, there is no groove and the caulk sits in the corner as a triangle (a triangle bead), so its cross-section is a right triangle of width \(w\) and height \(d\), half the rectangle.
For moving joints, sealant makers usually recommend a joint at least 1/4 in wide, with a depth of about half the width (for example 1/2 in wide and 1/4 in deep), and no more than 1/2 in deep. The depth is set with backer rod pushed into the joint. In shallow joints where backer rod does not fit, bond breaker tape in the bottom keeps the sealant from sticking to the bottom (three-sided adhesion), so it does not tear when the joint moves. The right size depends on the sealant and where it goes (siding, windows, bathroom and so on), so follow the product's instructions.
Net amount for one joint (fl oz)
Figure
Standard notation
(the usual math form)
\(V_{0}\)
\(=\)
\(A\)
\(\times\)
\(L\)
\(\times 12 \div 1.8047\)
In words
(symbols replaced with words)
③
\(V_{0}\): net amount (fl oz)
\(=\)
①
\(A\): cross-section area (in²)
\(\times\)
②
\(L\): joint length (ft)
\(\times 12 \div 1.8047\)
The formula in words
①
Multiply the
\(A\): cross-section area (in²)
by the
②
\(L\): joint length (ft)
and by 12 (to get cubic inches), then divide by 1.8047 (cubic inches in 1 fl oz) to get the
③
\(V_{0}\): net amount (fl oz)
(the volume of the long, thin strip of caulk)
Quick example
For 20 ft of joint with a cross-section of 0.09375 in² (3/8 in wide × 1/4 in deep), the net amount is
net amount \(V_{0}\)
\(=\)
area (0.09375 in²)
\(\times\)
length (20 ft)
\(\times 12 \div 1.8047\)
\(0.09375 \times 20 \times 12 = 22.5\,\mathrm{in^3}\)
\(22.5 \div 1.8047 \approx 12.47\,\mathrm{fl\ oz}\)
Key idea
The amount of caulk in a joint is cross-section area × length, the volume of a long, thin strip. With the area in square inches and the length in feet, multiply by 12 to turn feet into inches, which gives cubic inches. One US fluid ounce is exactly 231 ÷ 128 = 1.8046875 cubic inches, so divide by about 1.8047 to get fluid ounces. (In metric the units work out neatly: mm² × m gives mL directly, because \(1\,\mathrm{mm^2} \times 1\,\mathrm{m} = 1000\,\mathrm{mm^3} = 1\,\mathrm{mL}\).)
When there are several joints, such as around the tub, the kitchen, the windows and the siding, work out \(V_{0}\) for each and add them up (the calculator adds up to 4 at once).
Amount with waste
Standard notation
(the usual math form)
\(V\)
\(=\)
\(V_{0}\)
\(\times\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
\(r\)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
In words
(symbols replaced with words)
③
\(V\): amount with waste
\(=\)
①
\(V_{0}\): net amount
\(\times\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
②
\(r\): waste factor (%)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
The formula in words
①
Multiply the
\(V_{0}\): net amount
by "1 +
②
\(r\): waste factor (%)
÷ 100" (1.2 for 20%) to get the
③
\(V\): amount with waste
Quick example
With a net amount of 12.47 fl oz and a 20% waste factor, the amount needed is
amount with waste \(V\)
\(=\)
net amount (12.47 fl oz)
\(\times\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
waste factor (20%)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
\(12.47 \times (1 + 20 \div 100) = 12.47 \times 1.2 \approx 14.96\,\mathrm{fl\ oz}\)
Key idea
The exact volume of the joint is never quite enough. You tool off the excess that squeezes out, cut off and waste the first bit from the nozzle, and some caulk always stays in the bottom of the tube and in the nozzle. This extra is the waste. 10 to 30% is typical, and the thinner and shorter the joints (the less caulk per joint), the larger the share left in the nozzle. For adhesive spread on a surface, the waste is mostly what stays on the trowel and in the can, and 5 to 15% is typical.
Number of tubes
Figure
Standard notation
(the usual math form)
\(B\)
\(=\)
\(\lceil\)
\(V\)
\(\div\)
\(C\)
\(\rceil\)
In words
(symbols replaced with words)
④
\(B\): tubes needed
\(=\)
③
\(\lceil\)
①
\(V\): amount with waste
\(\div\)
②
\(C\): tube size
\(\rceil\)
The formula in words
①
Divide the
\(V\): amount with waste
by the
②
\(C\): tube size
to see how many tubes it takes
③
and round up (the symbol \(\lceil\ \rceil\) stands for "round up") to get the
④
\(B\): tubes needed
Quick example
When you need 14.96 fl oz with waste, the 10.1 fl oz cartridges needed are
tubes needed \(B\)
\(=\)
\(\lceil\)
amount (14.96 fl oz)
\(\div\)
tube size (10.1 fl oz)
\(\rceil\)
\(14.96 \div 10.1 \approx 1.48\)
\(\lceil 1.48 \rceil = 2\)
Key idea
Cartridges come only in whole tubes, so any decimal in the answer is always rounded up (1.48 tubes → 2 tubes). Rounding to the nearest would leave you short. The symbol for rounding up is \(\lceil\ \rceil\) (the ceiling function). The total you buy is \(B \times C\), and the amount left over is about \(B \times C - V\) (for example, 2 × 10.1 − 14.96 ≈ 5.24 fl oz).
Working the other way, one tube fills about \(C \div (1 + r \div 100) \times 1.8047 \div (A \times 12)\) feet. For a joint 3/8 in wide and 1/4 in deep (0.09375 in²) with 20% waste, one 10.1 fl oz cartridge fills \(10.1 \div 1.2 \times 1.8047 \div (0.09375 \times 12) \approx 13.5\) ft. For a siding joint 1/2 in wide and 1/2 in deep (0.25 in²), one cartridge fills at most \(10.1 \times 1.8047 \div 3 \approx 6.1\) ft with no waste, and less with waste. Keeping these guides in mind helps you judge on the job how many more tubes you need.
Adhesive spread on a surface
Standard notation
(the usual math form)
\(M\)
\(=\)
\(S\)
\(\div\)
\(q\)
\(\times\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
\(r\)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
In words
(symbols replaced with words)
④
\(M\): amount with waste (gal)
\(=\)
①
\(S\): area (ft²)
\(\div\)
②
\(q\): coverage (ft²/gal)
\(\times\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
③
\(r\): waste factor (%)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
The formula in words
①
Divide the
\(S\): area (ft²)
by the
②
\(q\): coverage (ft²/gal)
to get the net gallons,
③
then multiply by "1 +
\(r\): waste factor (%)
÷ 100" to get the
④
\(M\): amount with waste (gal)
Quick example
For 50 ft² of floor with tile adhesive that covers 40 ft² per gallon, with a 10% waste factor, the amount needed is
amount \(M\)
\(=\)
area (50 ft²)
\(\div\)
coverage (40 ft²/gal)
\(\times\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
waste factor (10%)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
\(50 \div 40 = 1.25\,\mathrm{gal}\)
\(1.25 \times (1 + 10 \div 100) = 1.25 \times 1.1 = 1.375\,\mathrm{gal}\)
Key idea
Adhesive for tile, flooring or wallpaper is spread over a surface, not into a joint, so the amount comes from the area and the coverage. US products state coverage as the area one gallon covers ("covers 40 to 50 sq ft per gallon"), so divide the area by the coverage. The coverage depends on the notch size of the trowel (how thick you spread it). In metric, labels give the amount per square meter instead (such as 2 kg/m²), and you multiply the area by it.
The cans follow the same idea as the tubes of caulk: \(\lceil M \div P \rceil\), where \(P\) is the size of one can. Buying the 1.375 gal of the example in 1 gal cans takes \(\lceil 1.375 \div 1 \rceil = 2\) cans, with 0.625 gal left over.
Working backward: joint length the tubes you have will fill
Standard notation
(the usual math form)
\(L\)
\(=\)
\(n\)
\(\times\)
\(C\)
\(\div\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
\(r\)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
\(\times 1.8047 \div 12 \div\)
\(A\)
In words
(symbols replaced with words)
⑤
\(L\): length you can fill (ft)
\(=\)
①
\(n\): tubes on hand
\(\times\)
②
\(C\): tube size (fl oz)
\(\div\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
③
\(r\): waste factor (%)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
\(\times 1.8047 \div 12 \div\)
④
\(A\): cross-section area (in²)
The formula in words
①
Multiply the
\(n\): tubes on hand
by the
②
\(C\): tube size (fl oz)
to get the caulk on hand,
③
divide by "1 +
\(r\): waste factor (%)
÷ 100" to get the amount that really goes into the joint, turn fluid ounces into cubic inches (× 1.8047) and inches into feet (÷ 12),
④
and divide by the
\(A\): cross-section area (in²)
to get the
⑤
\(L\): length you can fill (ft)
Quick example
With two 10.1 fl oz cartridges, for a joint 3/8 in wide and 1/4 in deep (0.09375 in²) with a 20% waste factor, the length you can fill is
length you can fill \(L\)
\(=\)
tubes (2)
\(\times\)
size (10.1 fl oz)
\(\div\)
\((\)
\(1\)
\(+\)
waste factor (20%)
\(\div\)
\(100\)
\()\)
\(\times 1.8047 \div 12 \div\)
area (0.09375 in²)
\(2 \times 10.1 = 20.2\,\mathrm{fl\ oz}\)
\(20.2 \div 1.2 \approx 16.83\,\mathrm{fl\ oz}\)
\(16.83 \times 1.8047 \div 12 \div 0.09375 \approx 27.0\,\mathrm{ft}\)
Key idea
This is the formula "net amount = area × length" solved for the length. The key is to take out the waste first (divide by \(1 + r \div 100\)), the opposite of multiplying when you find the amount with waste. Then fluid ounces become cubic inches (× 1.8047), and dividing cubic inches by square inches gives inches, or feet after ÷ 12. Use it to see how far leftover caulk will go, or how many feet one tube fills (with \(n = 1\)).
Estimated cost
Standard notation
(the usual math form)
\(T\)
\(=\)
\(u\)
\(\times\)
\(B\)
In words
(symbols replaced with words)
③
\(T\): estimated cost
\(=\)
①
\(u\): unit price
\(\times\)
②
\(B\): number of tubes
The formula in words
①
Multiply the
\(u\): unit price (per tube or can)
by the
②
\(B\): number of tubes (or cans of adhesive)
to get the
③
\(T\): estimated cost
Quick example
Buying 2 cartridges at $7 each costs
estimated cost \(T\)
\(=\)
unit price ($7)
\(\times\)
tubes (2)
\(7 \times 2 = 14\)
Key idea
The material cost is the rounded-up number of tubes × the price. You buy whole tubes, not the exact amount, so the leftover is part of the cost too. Painter's tape, primer, backer rod, a caulk gun and tooling tools are extra.
The caulk you need is the joint cross-section area (width × depth, ÷ 2 for a triangle bead) × length, turned into fluid ounces (in² × ft × 12 ÷ 1.8047). Add a waste factor and round up to whole cartridges (10.1 fl oz is standard). For adhesive on a surface, divide the area by the coverage (ft² per gallon), add waste and round up to cans.
Symbols and terms
Symbols
| \(w\) | w | The joint width (in). From "width". For a triangle bead, it is how far the caulk reaches on one face of the corner. |
| \(d\) | d | The joint depth (in). From "depth". Enter the depth the caulk actually fills, after backer rod. For a triangle bead, it is how far the caulk reaches on the other face of the corner (the height of the triangle). |
| \(A\) | A | The joint cross-section area (in²). From "area". \(w \times d\) for a square joint and \(w \times d \div 2\) for a triangle bead. |
| \(L\) | L | The joint length (ft). From "length". With several joints, the length of each one. |
| \(V_{0}\) | V sub 0 | The net amount (fl oz). From "volume", with 0 meaning "before waste". \(V_{0} = A \times L \times 12 \div 1.8047\). |
| \(V\) | V | The amount with waste (fl oz). \(V = V_{0} \times (1 + r \div 100)\). |
| \(r\) | r | The waste factor (%). From "rate". The share added for excess, the first squeeze and what stays in the tube, usually 10 to 30%. |
| \(C\) | C | The size of one cartridge (fl oz). From "cartridge". Enter the size on the label, such as 10.1 fl oz or 5.5 fl oz. |
| \(B\) | B | The cartridges needed (or cans of adhesive). \(B = \lceil V \div C \rceil\). |
| \(S\) | S | The area to spread adhesive on (ft²). From "surface". |
| \(q\) | q | The adhesive coverage (ft² per gallon), as printed on the product. From "quantity". |
| \(M\) | M | The adhesive needed with waste (gal). \(M = S \div q \times (1 + r \div 100)\). |
| \(P\) | P | The size of one can of adhesive (gal). From "package". |
| \(n\) | n | The cartridges on hand, used when working backward. From "number". A partly used tube can be written as a decimal such as 0.5. |
| \(u\) | u | The unit price (per tube or can). From "unit price". |
| \(T\) | T | The estimated cost (materials only). From "total". |
| \(\lceil x \rceil\) | ceiling of x | The ceiling function: round up to a whole number (for example \(\lceil 1.48 \rceil = 2\) and \(\lceil 2 \rceil = 2\)). |
Terms
| caulk | A soft material squeezed into gaps and joints that sets to keep out water and air, or the act of applying it. In the US, "caulk" often refers to paintable acrylic latex for trim and small gaps, while "sealant" refers to the more flexible silicone or polyurethane for moving joints, but the two words are often used loosely. |
| sealant | A rubbery, flexible material for filling joints. Silicone is used in wet areas such as tubs and sinks, polyurethane and hybrid (polyether) sealants on siding and paintable exterior joints, and acrylic latex for interior trim. Follow the product's label for where to use it. |
| joint | The gap (groove) between two parts, such as a tub and a wall, a window frame and siding, or two siding panels. Caulking fills this groove. The joints between tiles are usually filled with cement-based grout instead, which is figured like mortar. |
| square joint | A joint with a rectangular cross-section (width × depth), such as the joints between siding panels or around a window frame, where the groove has a clear shape. |
| triangle bead | Caulk run along an inside corner (wall to wall, or wall to tub) so its cross-section is a triangle. A "bead" is one line of caulk. There is no groove, so the area is estimated as half of width × depth. |
| inside corner | A corner where two surfaces meet facing inward, like the corner of a room, a tub against a wall, or a wall against the ceiling. A corner that sticks out is an outside corner. |
| cartridge | The tube you load into a caulk gun. The standard US size is 10.1 fl oz (about 300 mL), with 5.5 fl oz squeeze tubes for small jobs and 28 fl oz cartridges for pros. Sizes vary, so check the label. |
| waste factor | The percentage added to the net amount for the excess you tool off, the first squeeze, and what stays in the tube, nozzle and can. The thinner and shorter the joints, the larger the share left in the nozzle. |
| backer rod | A foam rope pushed into a joint to set its depth. It keeps the sealant off the bottom (two-sided adhesion) and saves sealant in deep joints. The depth after the backer rod is the depth to enter in this calculator. |
| bond breaker tape | Tape put in the bottom of a joint so the sealant does not stick to it, used in shallow joints where backer rod does not fit. |
| two-sided adhesion | Sealant stuck only to the two sides of a joint, not the bottom. The sealant can stretch when the joint moves without tearing. Backer rod and bond breaker tape are used for this. |
| three-sided adhesion | Sealant stuck to both sides and the bottom of a joint. When the joint moves, the sealant is pulled and tears easily, so it is avoided in moving joints. |
| primer | A coating put on the joint surfaces before the sealant, so it bonds firmly. Whether you need it depends on the product's instructions. |
| re-caulking | Removing all the old caulk and applying new caulk. It takes more work than caulking over the old bead, but it restores the full joint depth and a good bond. |
| coverage | How much area a set amount of adhesive covers. US products give it as square feet per gallon (sq ft/gal). It changes with the notch size of the trowel. |
| notched trowel | A trowel with a toothed edge that spreads adhesive to an even thickness. The notch size (such as 1/8 in or 1/4 in) changes the coverage. |
| round up | If there is any decimal part, go up to the next whole number. Tubes and cans come only in whole units, so the counts are always rounded up. |
Good to know before you start
Here is what helps to understand before you start, so that you can use the calculations on this page with a clear understanding.
| Area of rectangles and triangles (Grade 4 to 6) |
|
| Volume and units (Grade 5 to 6) |
|
| Converting units of length (Grade 4 to 5) |
|
| Percents (Grade 6) |
|
| Rounding (Grade 4) |
|
How to calculate it in Excel
Copy the whole table below and paste it into cell A1 in Excel. It works as is.
Table for the joint cross-section area
| Joint width (in) | 0.375 |
| Joint depth (in) | 0.25 |
| Area (in², square joint) | =B1*B2 |
| Area (in², triangle bead) | =B1*B2/2 |
Table for the net amount for one joint
| Area (in²) | 0.09375 |
| Joint length (ft) | 20 |
| Net amount (fl oz) | =B1*B2*12/1.8046875 |
Table for the amount with waste
| Net amount (fl oz) | 12.47 |
| Waste factor (%) | 20 |
| Amount with waste (fl oz) | =B1*(1+B2/100) |
Table for the number of tubes
| Amount with waste (fl oz) | 14.96 |
| Tube size (fl oz) | 10.1 |
| Tubes needed | =ROUNDUP(B1/B2,0) |
| Left over (fl oz) | =B3*B2-B1 |
Table for the adhesive and cans
| Area (ft²) | 50 |
| Coverage (ft² per gal) | 40 |
| Waste factor (%) | 10 |
| Can size (gal) | 1 |
| Amount with waste (gal) | =B1/B2*(1+B3/100) |
| Cans needed | =ROUNDUP(B5/B4,0) |
Table for the joint length the tubes on hand will fill
| Tubes on hand | 2 |
| Tube size (fl oz) | 10.1 |
| Waste factor (%) | 20 |
| Area (in²) | 0.09375 |
| Length you can fill (ft) | =B1*B2/(1+B3/100)*1.8046875/12/B4 |
Table for the estimated cost
| Unit price ($) | 7 |
| Tubes | 2 |
| Estimated cost ($) | =B1*B2 |
After you paste, the upper rows of column B are the inputs and the last row (the last 2 rows in the 1st, 4th and 5th tables) is the calculated result.
ROUNDUP(value, 0) rounds up to a whole number (the ⌈ ⌉ in the formulas). 1.8046875 is the number of cubic inches in 1 US fluid ounce.
B3 in the 1st table is 0.09375 and B4 is 0.046875. B3 in the 2nd table is about 12.47, B3 in the 3rd table is about 14.96, and the 4th table gives 2 tubes in B3 and about 5.24 fl oz in B4.
The 5th table gives 1.375 gal in B5 and 2 cans in B6, B5 in the 6th table is about 27.0 ft, and B3 in the 7th table is $14. Just replace the numbers in column B with your own.
ROUNDUP(value, 0) rounds up to a whole number (the ⌈ ⌉ in the formulas). 1.8046875 is the number of cubic inches in 1 US fluid ounce.
B3 in the 1st table is 0.09375 and B4 is 0.046875. B3 in the 2nd table is about 12.47, B3 in the 3rd table is about 14.96, and the 4th table gives 2 tubes in B3 and about 5.24 fl oz in B4.
The 5th table gives 1.375 gal in B5 and 2 cans in B6, B5 in the 6th table is about 27.0 ft, and B3 in the 7th table is $14. Just replace the numbers in column B with your own.
How to calculate it in Google Sheets
Copy the whole table below and paste it into cell A1 in Google Sheets. It works as is.
Table for the joint cross-section area
| Joint width (in) | 0.375 |
| Joint depth (in) | 0.25 |
| Area (in², square joint) | =B1*B2 |
| Area (in², triangle bead) | =B1*B2/2 |
Table for the net amount for one joint
| Area (in²) | 0.09375 |
| Joint length (ft) | 20 |
| Net amount (fl oz) | =B1*B2*12/1.8046875 |
Table for the amount with waste
| Net amount (fl oz) | 12.47 |
| Waste factor (%) | 20 |
| Amount with waste (fl oz) | =B1*(1+B2/100) |
Table for the number of tubes
| Amount with waste (fl oz) | 14.96 |
| Tube size (fl oz) | 10.1 |
| Tubes needed | =ROUNDUP(B1/B2,0) |
| Left over (fl oz) | =B3*B2-B1 |
Table for the adhesive and cans
| Area (ft²) | 50 |
| Coverage (ft² per gal) | 40 |
| Waste factor (%) | 10 |
| Can size (gal) | 1 |
| Amount with waste (gal) | =B1/B2*(1+B3/100) |
| Cans needed | =ROUNDUP(B5/B4,0) |
Table for the joint length the tubes on hand will fill
| Tubes on hand | 2 |
| Tube size (fl oz) | 10.1 |
| Waste factor (%) | 20 |
| Area (in²) | 0.09375 |
| Length you can fill (ft) | =B1*B2/(1+B3/100)*1.8046875/12/B4 |
Table for the estimated cost
| Unit price ($) | 7 |
| Tubes | 2 |
| Estimated cost ($) | =B1*B2 |
The same formulas as in Excel work as they are (ROUNDUP has the same name). Copy the whole table, paste it into cell A1, and replace the numbers in column B with your own.
How to calculate it in Python
import math
IN3_PER_FLOZ = 231 / 128 # 1 US fl oz = 1.8046875 cubic inches
# ---- Caulk (joints): width in, depth in, length ft, shape (rect = square joint / tri = triangle bead) ----
joints = [
(0.25, 0.25, 10, "rect"), # around the tub: 1/4 in wide, 1/4 in deep, 10 ft
(0.375, 0.25, 20, "rect"), # around the windows: 3/8 in wide, 1/4 in deep, 20 ft
]
loss_rate = 20 # waste factor (%)
cartridge_floz = 10.1 # size of one cartridge (fl oz)
price_per_cartridge = 7 # price per cartridge ($)
net_floz = 0
for width_in, depth_in, length_ft, shape in joints:
section_in2 = width_in * depth_in / (2 if shape == "tri" else 1) # cross-section area (in2)
net_floz += section_in2 * length_ft * 12 / IN3_PER_FLOZ # in2 x ft x 12 = in3, then to fl oz
required_floz = net_floz * (1 + loss_rate / 100) # amount with waste (fl oz)
cartridges = math.ceil(required_floz / cartridge_floz) # tubes needed (rounded up)
leftover_floz = cartridges * cartridge_floz - required_floz # left over (fl oz)
cost = cartridges * price_per_cartridge # estimated cost ($)
print(f"Net amount: {net_floz:.2f} fl oz")
print(f"Amount with waste: {required_floz:.2f} fl oz")
print(f"Tubes needed: {cartridges} ({leftover_floz:.2f} fl oz left over)")
print(f"Estimated cost: ${cost:,.2f}")
# ---- Adhesive (surface): area ft2 / coverage ft2 per gallon ----
area_ft2 = 50 # area (ft2)
coverage_ft2_per_gal = 40 # coverage (ft2 per gallon), as printed on the product
adhesive_loss_rate = 10 # waste factor (%)
can_gal = 1 # size of one can (gal)
required_gal = area_ft2 / coverage_ft2_per_gal * (1 + adhesive_loss_rate / 100)
cans = math.ceil(required_gal / can_gal)
print(f"Adhesive needed: {required_gal:.3f} gal -> {cans} can(s)")
# ---- Working backward: joint length the tubes on hand will fill ----
have_cartridges = 2
section_in2 = 0.375 * 0.25 # square joint 3/8 in wide x 1/4 in deep
usable_floz = have_cartridges * cartridge_floz / (1 + loss_rate / 100)
print(f"Length you can fill: {usable_floz * IN3_PER_FLOZ / section_in2 / 12:.2f} ft")
It runs with the standard library only. math.ceil() rounds up (the ⌈ ⌉ in the formulas). Add rows to joints to add as many joints as you like. Replace the sizes, waste factor, cartridge size and price at the top with your own numbers and run it.
How to write it in LaTeX and other math languages (copy and paste)
Joint cross-section area (square joint and triangle bead)
A = w × d, A = w × d ÷ 2
A = wd,\quad A = \frac{wd}{2}
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
<mrow>
<mi>A</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>w</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mi>d</mi>
<mo>,</mo>
<mi>A</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mi>w</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mi>d</mi></mrow><mn>2</mn></mfrac>
</mrow>
</math>
A = w d, A = (w d)/2
{w*d, w*d/2}
A := w*d; A_tri := w*d/2;
A = w*d; A_tri = w*d/2;
A = wd, A = wd/2
Net amount for one joint (fl oz)
V₀ = A × L × 12 ÷ 1.8047
V_{0} = \frac{A \times L \times 12}{1.8047}
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
<mrow>
<msub><mi>V</mi><mn>0</mn></msub>
<mo>=</mo>
<mfrac><mrow><mi>A</mi><mo>×</mo><mi>L</mi><mo>×</mo><mn>12</mn></mrow><mn>1.8047</mn></mfrac>
</mrow>
</math>
V_0 = (A * L * 12)/1.8047
a*l*12/1.8046875
V0 := A*L*12/1.8046875;
V0 = A*L*12/1.8046875;
V_0 = (A × L × 12)/1.8047
Amount with waste
V = V₀ × (1 + r ÷ 100)
V = V_{0} \left(1 + \frac{r}{100}\right)
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
<mrow>
<mi>V</mi><mo>=</mo>
<msub><mi>V</mi><mn>0</mn></msub>
<mo>⁢</mo>
<mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>+</mo><mfrac><mi>r</mi><mn>100</mn></mfrac><mo>)</mo></mrow>
</mrow>
</math>
V = V_0 (1 + r/100)
v0*(1 + r/100)
V := V0*(1 + r/100);
V = V0*(1 + r/100);
V = V_0 (1 + r/100)
Number of tubes
B = ⌈V ÷ C⌉
B = \left\lceil \frac{V}{C} \right\rceil
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
<mrow>
<mi>B</mi>
<mo>=</mo>
<mo>⌈</mo>
<mfrac><mi>V</mi><mi>C</mi></mfrac>
<mo>⌉</mo>
</mrow>
</math>
B = |~ V / C ~|
Ceiling[v/c]
B := ceil(V/C);
B = ceil(V/C);
B = ⌈V/C⌉
Adhesive spread on a surface
M = S ÷ q × (1 + r ÷ 100)
M = \frac{S}{q} \left(1 + \frac{r}{100}\right)
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
<mrow>
<mi>M</mi><mo>=</mo>
<mfrac><mi>S</mi><mi>q</mi></mfrac>
<mo>⁢</mo>
<mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>+</mo><mfrac><mi>r</mi><mn>100</mn></mfrac><mo>)</mo></mrow>
</mrow>
</math>
M = S/q (1 + r/100)
s/q*(1 + r/100)
M := S/q*(1 + r/100);
M = S/q*(1 + r/100);
M = S/q (1 + r/100)
Working backward: joint length the tubes you have will fill
L = n × C ÷ (1 + r ÷ 100) × 1.8047 ÷ 12 ÷ A
L = \frac{1.8047\, nC}{12\left(1 + \frac{r}{100}\right) A}
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
<mrow>
<mi>L</mi><mo>=</mo>
<mfrac>
<mrow><mn>1.8047</mn><mo>⁢</mo><mi>n</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mi>C</mi></mrow>
<mrow><mn>12</mn><mo>⁢</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>+</mo><mfrac><mi>r</mi><mn>100</mn></mfrac><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo>⁢</mo><mi>A</mi></mrow>
</mfrac>
</mrow>
</math>
L = (1.8047 n C) / (12 (1 + r/100) A)
1.8046875*n*c/(12*(1 + r/100)*a)
L := 1.8046875*n*C/(12*(1 + r/100)*A);
L = 1.8046875*n*C/(12*(1 + r/100)*A);
L = 1.8047nC/(12(1 + r/100)A)
Estimated cost
T = u × B
T = u \times B
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
<mrow>
<mi>T</mi>
<mo>=</mo>
<mi>u</mi>
<mo>×</mo>
<mi>B</mi>
</mrow>
</math>
T = u * B
u*b
T := u*B;
T = u*B;
T = u × B
How to have ChatGPT do the calculation
You are an assistant for estimating interior and exterior construction materials. Do the following calculation by actually running Python code, and base your answer only on the numbers from the run (do not answer from mental math or guesses). I am caulking a joint 1/4 in wide and 1/4 in deep for 10 ft around a tub, and joints 3/8 in wide and 1/4 in deep for 20 ft around windows. Treat the joint cross-sections as rectangles (width × depth), use a 20% waste factor and 10.1 fl oz cartridges. 1 US fl oz = 1.8046875 cubic inches. Find each of the following. 1. The cross-section area of each joint (in²) and its net amount (fl oz; area in² × length ft × 12 ÷ 1.8046875) 2. The total net amount (fl oz) and the amount with waste (fl oz) 3. The cartridges needed (amount with waste ÷ 10.1, rounded up) and the amount left over (fl oz) 4. How many feet of the 1/4 in × 1/4 in joint one cartridge fills with 20% waste Show the formulas you used and the numbers from the run.
How to Use
-
1Enter your numbersType the numbers you want to calculate with into the input fields
-
2CalculatePress the "Calculate" button
-
3Check the resultThe result appears on the spot. The same page also explains the idea behind the calculation and the formula
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