Caulk / Sealant Cartridge Yield from Joint Size
How many linear feet a sealant cartridge does for a joint size, and the cartridges for a run.
Example
You enter
- Joint length (ft) 500
- Cartridge volume (in³; 18.23 for 10.1 fl oz, 36.1 for a 20 oz sausage) 18.23
- Joint width (in) 0.375
- Joint depth (in) 0.25
You get
- Cross (in²) 0.09375
- Yield per cartridge 16.2 ft
- Cartridges 31
Checked against published worked examples from: The Dow Chemical Company.
Details, formula, and sources
ScopeLength per cartridge = cartridge volume / (width x depth) / 12; cartridges = ceil(joint / length per cartridge). A 10.1 oz cartridge (18.23 in^3) on a 3/8 x 1/4 in joint does 16.2 ft, so 500 LF takes 31 cartridges; a big 1/2 x 1/2 in joint burns them at more than double the rate (83). The joint cross-section is the lever; the manufacturer's joint design governs.
Formula or tablecross_in2 = joint_width_in x joint_depth_in; lf_per_cart = cartridge_in3 / cross_in2 / 12; cartridges = ceil(joint_lf / lf_per_cart).
Source and editionSealant cartridge-yield identity by name (cartridge volume divided by the joint cross-section gives the run per cartridge); first-principles geometry.
Free accessThe bead-volume geometry is public first-principles; the cartridge volume and joint design come from the manufacturer.
What governsEstimate. AHJ and licensed professional govern.
API field namesjoint_lf, cartridge_in3, joint_width_in, joint_depth_in, cross_in2, lf_per_cart, cartridges
- Joint cross-section width x depth as a rectangle; ~2:1 width-to-depth with a backer rod for elastomeric sealantmanufacturer joint design
- Cartridge volume 18.23 in^3 for a 10.1 fl oz cartridge, 36.1 in^3 for a 20 fl oz sausage (231 in^3 per gallon / 128 fl oz)unit conversion; Dow contractor handbook