How Many Tubes of Caulk Do I Need? Feet per Tube by Bead Size
Part of the project planner: Planning to paint a room or a house.
A standard 10.1 fl oz cartridge of caulk makes about 24 feet of a 1/4 × 1/4 inch bead, so 40 feet of joint takes 2 tubes with 10% extra. The amount depends on the width and the depth of the joint: a bead twice as wide uses twice as much caulk. The caulk calculator works it out for your own joint and tube.
Feet of caulk per tube, by bead size
For a standard 10.1 fl oz cartridge, and the tubes for 100 feet of joint with 10% extra:
| Joint (width × depth) | Feet per tube | Tubes for 100 ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 × 1/8 in | 97.2 ft | 2 |
| 3/16 × 3/16 in | 43.2 ft | 3 |
| 1/4 × 1/4 in | 24.3 ft | 5 |
| 3/8 × 1/4 in | 16.2 ft | 7 |
| 1/2 × 1/4 in | 12.2 ft | 10 |
| 1/2 × 1/2 in | 6.1 ft | 19 |
Feet per tube, by tube size
For a 1/4 × 1/4 inch joint:
| Tube | Size | Feet per tube | Tubes for 40 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small tube | 5.5 fl oz | 13.2 ft | 4 |
| Standard cartridge | 10.1 fl oz | 24.3 ft | 2 |
| Sausage pack | 20 fl oz | 48.1 ft | 1 |
| Large cartridge | 28 fl oz | 67.4 ft | 1 |
Choosing a caulk
- Acrylic latex: paintable, easy to apply and clean. Use for trim, baseboards and gaps in walls and ceilings.
- Silicone: waterproof and flexible. Use in kitchens, baths, around tubs and windows. It cannot be painted.
- Siliconized acrylic: paintable, more flexible than plain acrylic: a good all-rounder.
- Polyurethane and exterior sealants: for siding, masonry and joints that move.
How to apply it
- Clean the joint and remove old caulk. The surface must be clean and dry.
- Cut the tip at 45 degrees so that the opening is the size of the bead you want.
- Run the gun at a steady speed, and push the caulk into the joint.
- Smooth the bead with a wet finger or a tool, and wipe off the excess.
- Leave it to cure for the time on the tube before it gets wet.
See the tile calculator and the baseboard and trim calculator for the jobs that often need caulk. Estimates only.
Frequently asked questions
How far does a tube of caulk go?
A standard 10.1 fl oz cartridge makes about 24 feet of a 1/4 × 1/4 inch bead. A smaller 1/8 inch bead goes four times as far, and a 1/2 inch wide joint takes a lot more.
How many tubes of caulk do I need?
Divide the length of the joint by the feet per tube, and add 10%. For 40 ft of 1/4 × 1/4 inch joint that is 2 tubes of 10.1 oz.
How do I work out how much caulk a joint needs?
Multiply the width by the depth of the joint (in inches) and by its length (in inches) for the volume in cubic inches. A fluid ounce is 1.8 cubic inches.
How big a bead of caulk should I use?
About 1/4 inch for most trim and tub joints. Joints wider than 1/2 inch need a backer rod to fill the depth, so that the caulk is not too thick.
Silicone or acrylic latex caulk?
Silicone is waterproof and flexible, and suits kitchens, baths and windows, but cannot be painted. Acrylic latex caulk is paintable and cleans up with water, and suits trim and gaps in walls.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.