UK DIY Cost Calculator
Tile Adhesive & Grout Calculator
Estimate the bags of tile adhesive and kilograms of grout you need for a tiled area, and the cost. Useful when you already have the tiles and just need the fixing materials.
Your project
Estimate
Estimates are for guidance only. Coverage rates, pack sizes and prices vary by brand — always confirm quantities with your supplier before buying.
How much adhesive and grout for a tiling job
Adhesive and grout are sold separately from tiles and often forgotten until the job starts. Coverage depends heavily on tile size and joint width: large-format tiles need a deeper adhesive bed and cover fewer square metres per bag, while mosaics and narrow joints use grout differently. The size option above sets a sensible default you can fine-tune.
Bed depth is the big variable
The coverage printed on an adhesive bag assumes a specific notched-trowel bed depth. Uneven walls, big tiles and floors that need a solid bed all increase how much you use, sometimes dramatically. When in doubt, round up — running out of adhesive mid-wall with tiles already buttered is a job-stopper.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of tile adhesive do I need?
As a rough guide, one 20kg bag covers about 4 m² of standard tiles at a normal bed depth. Large tiles and uneven surfaces use more, so a 10 m² wall typically needs three bags.
How much grout will I use?
Grout use depends on tile size and joint width, but a 5kg bag covers roughly 5 m² of standard tiling. Smaller tiles have more joints and use more grout per square metre.
Why does tile size change adhesive use?
Bigger tiles need a thicker adhesive bed for full support, so they cover fewer square metres per bag. Mosaics and small tiles use a thinner bed and go further, which is why the calculator adjusts for tile size.
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