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Ultracolor Plus FA Grout Calculator: How Many 25 lb Bags?
Enter your area, tile size and joint width to see how many 25 lb (11.3 kg) bags of Ultracolor Plus FA to buy. The calculator follows the coverage chart in MAPEI's US technical data sheet (MK 3000144, edition date August 28, 2026), which covers joints from 1/16 to 3/4 inch, and is set so it never claims more coverage than the chart. For 12 x 12 in tile with 1/8 in joints, MAPEI's chart gives 388 sq ft per 25 lb bag; the calculator gives about 388.
MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA coverage
| Tile | 1/16 in | 1/8 in | 3/16 in | 1/4 in | 3/8 in | 1/2 in | 5/8 in | 3/4 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 x 1 x 1/4 in | 97 | 49 | 33 | 25 | 17 | 13 | 10 | 9 |
| 2 x 2 x 1/4 in | 194 | 97 | 65 | 49 | 33 | 25 | 20 | 17 |
| 3 x 3 x 1/4 in | 291 | 146 | 97 | 73 | 49 | 37 | 30 | 25 |
| 4 x 8 x 1/2 in | 259 | 130 | 87 | 65 | 44 | 33 | 26 | 22 |
| 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 x 1/4 in | 413 | 207 | 138 | 104 | 69 | 52 | 42 | 35 |
| 6 x 6 x 1/4 in | 582 | 291 | 194 | 146 | 97 | 73 | 59 | 49 |
| 6 x 6 x 1/2 in | 291 | 146 | 97 | 73 | 49 | 37 | 30 | 25 |
| 6 x 24 x 3/8 in | 621 | 311 | 207 | 156 | 104 | 78 | 63 | 52 |
| 8 x 8 x 3/8 in | 518 | 259 | 173 | 130 | 87 | 65 | 52 | 44 |
| 12 x 12 x 3/8 in | 776 | 388 | 259 | 194 | 130 | 97 | 78 | 65 |
| 12 x 24 x 3/8 in | 1035 | 518 | 345 | 259 | 173 | 130 | 104 | 87 |
| 13 x 13 x 3/8 in | 841 | 421 | 281 | 211 | 141 | 106 | 85 | 71 |
| 18 x 18 x 3/8 in | 1164 | 582 | 388 | 291 | 194 | 146 | 117 | 97 |
| 20 x 20 x 3/8 in | 1294 | 647 | 432 | 324 | 216 | 162 | 130 | 108 |
| 24 x 24 x 3/8 in | 1552 | 776 | 518 | 388 | 259 | 194 | 156 | 130 |
| 32 x 32 x 3/8 in | 2069 | 1035 | 690 | 518 | 345 | 259 | 207 | 173 |
Source: MAPEI Technical Data Sheet: Ultracolor Plus FA Rapid-Setting, "All-in-One" Grout (US, English), MK 3000144 (26-2353), Edition Date August 28, 2026, read 2026-10-17.
How the calculation works
grout per sq ft = 144 × (L + W) × J × T ÷ (L × W)
units = area × (1 + waste ÷ 100) × grout per sq ft ÷ joint volume one unit fills, rounded up
L and W are the tile length and width, T the tile thickness (the joint is assumed to be filled to full tile depth) and J the joint width, all in inches; the result is in cubic inches. This is the textbook grout formula, and it is the one this manufacturer's chart follows: worked back from every cell, the chart implies almost the same joint volume per bag. The calculator uses the lowest value any cell implies, so for every tile size in the chart it gives the same or less coverage than the data sheet, never more. Tiles not in the chart use the same formula.
Worked example
A 600 sq ft floor of 12 x 12 x 3/8 in tile with 1/8 in joints and 10% extra: 660 sq ft to grout. Each 12 × 12 in tile (144 sq in) carries (12 + 12) × 1/8 = 3 sq in of joint, 3/8 in deep. That works out to 1.13 cubic inches of grout per sq ft of floor. One 25 lb (11.3 kg) bag fills about 436 cubic inches of joint, so it covers 436 ÷ 1.13 = 387.8 sq ft. 660 ÷ 387.8 = 1.7, so buy 2 bags.
MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA key specs
| Product type | Tile grout |
|---|---|
| Package | 25 lb (11.3 kg) bag |
| Mixing water per bag (max) | 2.8 US qt (2.65 L) |
| Joint width range | 1/16–3/4 in |
| Coverage (data sheet) | per 25 lb bag: 12 x 12 x 3/8" tile 776 sq ft at 1/16", 388 at 1/8", 194 at 1/4", 97 at 1/2", 65 at 3/4"; 2 x 2 x 1/4" mosaic 97 sq ft at 1/8" (full chart below) |
| Bag sizes | 25 lb (11.3 kg) and 10 lb (4.54 kg); the 10 lb chart is about 40% of the 25 lb chart in every cell |
| Joint width | 1/16" to 3/4" (1.5–19 mm); fine-aggregate "all-in-one" grout that replaces both sanded and unsanded grout |
| Mixing | 2.6–2.8 US qt (2.46–2.65 L) cool clean water per 25 lb bag, 1–1.1 qt (0.95–1.04 L) per 10 lb bag; partial bags about 3 parts powder to 1 part water by volume; low-speed mixer (about 350 rpm) 4–5 minutes; do not add water later |
| Pot life | 30 minutes to 1 hour at 73°F (23°C) |
| Cleaning | first sponge pass typically 15–30 minutes after grouting (5–10 minutes on absorbent wall tile); buff haze with cheesecloth at 30–60 minutes |
| Cure | floors: no foot traffic for at least 3 hours; protect from rain, freezing and immersion for 3 days; pools, spas and fountains: 3 days of curing; regular cleaning after 24 hours |
| Temperature | apply between 50°F and 95°F (10°C and 35°C); above 80°F (26°C) follow the hot-weather steps or use Ultracolor Plus Extend |
| Sealing | not typically required; an UltraCare grout sealer may still be applied |
| Standards | ISO 13007 CG2WAF; meets or exceeds ANSI A118.6 and A118.7; compressive 3,000–5,500 psi at 28 days; 0 g/L VOC |
| Not for | areas needing highly chemical-, impact- or stain-resistant grout, or heavy industrial tile; MAPEI points to its epoxy grouts there |
| Shelf life | 1 year in original unopened packaging at 73°F (23°C) in a dry area |
What Ultracolor Plus FA is
Ultracolor Plus FA is MAPEI's fast-setting, polymer-modified cement grout, and the "FA" stands for fine aggregate. MAPEI sells it as an "all-in-one" grout that replaces both sanded and unsanded grout, so one product handles joints from 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) up to 3/4 inch (19 mm). Its data sheet lists two in-house technologies: High-Hydrated Cement Technology (HCT), which MAPEI says prevents color variation and efflorescence and lowers absorption, and DropEffect, which reduces surface absorption so water and dirt bead on the joint instead of soaking in.
The US technical data sheet (MK 3000144, edition date August 28, 2026) rates it for interior and exterior use in residential and commercial work. Listed tiles include ceramic, ceramic mosaic, quarry, brick pavers, porcelain, glass and clay tile, plus dimensional stone, slate, granite and stone agglomerates. It carries ISO 13007 classification CG2WAF and meets or exceeds ANSI A118.6 and A118.7. MAPEI does not recommend it where a highly chemical-, impact- or stain-resistant grout is needed or in heavy industrial installations; those jobs call for an epoxy grout.
10 lb or 25 lb bag
Ultracolor Plus FA comes in 25 lb (11.3 kg) and 10 lb (4.54 kg) bags, and the data sheet prints a full coverage chart for each. The two charts track weight closely: every cell of the 10 lb chart is about 40 percent of the matching 25 lb cell. This calculator counts 25 lb bags, because most floors need at least one and the larger bag costs less per pound. If the result shows a small fraction of a bag, for example a backsplash or a shower niche, multiply the coverage per bag it reports by 0.4 to see whether a single 10 lb bag would do.
MAPEI's mixing instructions also make partial bags workable. A whole 25 lb bag takes 2.6 to 2.8 US quarts of cool, clean water, a 10 lb bag 1 to 1.1 quarts, and for a partial bag the data sheet gives a starting ratio of about 3 parts powder to 1 part water by volume. Pot life is 30 minutes to an hour, so on a large floor mix only what you can spread and clean in that window.
How the calculator works
Grout fills only the gaps between tiles, so the amount depends on how much joint there is under each square foot of floor. For a tile L by W inches, each tile carries (L + W) × J square inches of joint, where J is the joint width. Multiply by the tile thickness T, because the joint is filled to full depth, divide by the tile area L × W, and multiply by 144 to turn square inches of floor into square feet. The result is cubic inches of grout per square foot.
That is the standard textbook formula, and it is the one MAPEI's chart follows. Working back from each of the 128 cells of the 25 lb chart (16 tile sizes by 8 joint widths), almost every cell implies the same joint volume per bag, about 436 to 438 cubic inches. The calculator uses 436.3, just under the lowest value any cell implies. As a result it never gives more coverage than the chart: 97 of the 128 cells agree within 1 percent and 116 within 3 percent. The ones further apart are 1 x 1 and 2 x 2 inch mosaics with joints of 1/2 inch or wider, where MAPEI's printed figures round up and the calculator stays slightly on the safe side.
Some other grout calculators on this site use a slightly different formula that counts the tile plus half a joint on each side. That fits Custom Building Products' and LATICRETE's charts better. For MAPEI's chart it would underestimate the grout needed for small mosaics with wide joints by up to about 45 percent, so this page uses the formula MAPEI's own numbers follow.
Entering your tile and joint
Use the actual tile size from the box label, not the nominal size, if they differ: a "12 x 24" porcelain plank may really be 11.8 x 23.6 inches, and that changes the joint count a little. Enter the tile thickness, since joint depth equals tile thickness in the formula. MAPEI's surface-preparation notes ask that at least two thirds of the tile depth be left clear of mortar for grout, so if your joints are not cleaned out to full depth you will use slightly less than the estimate. For uneven stone, river rock or handmade tile with irregular joints, pick the widest typical joint and raise the waste figure.
The joint menu runs from 1/16 to 3/4 inch, the range the data sheet gives. For a worked example, 600 sq ft of 12 x 12 x 3/8 inch tile at 1/8 inch joints with 10 percent waste is 660 sq ft to grout. Each tile carries 24 × 1/8 = 3 square inches of joint, which at 3/8 inch deep and 144 tiles' worth per square foot is 1.125 cubic inches per sq ft. One bag fills about 436 cubic inches, so it covers about 388 sq ft, and 660 ÷ 388 means two 25 lb bags.
Mixing and installation notes
MAPEI asks you to dry-blend the powder before adding water, because pigment can settle in shipping, and to blend all bags together when more than one is used. Always add powder to water, keep the water quantity the same from batch to batch and mix at low speed, around 350 rpm, for 4 to 5 minutes. Over-mixing traps air and shortens pot life. Apply between 50°F and 95°F (10°C and 35°C); above 80°F the data sheet lists hot-weather steps such as cold mixing water, pre-wetting tile and starting the first wash within 15 minutes, or the Ultracolor Plus Extend additive.
Start cleaning typically 15 to 30 minutes after grouting at 73°F, sooner on absorbent wall tile, with a damp sponge pulled diagonally across the joints and two buckets of water. Buff the haze off with cheesecloth 30 to 60 minutes after grouting. Floors can take foot traffic after about 3 hours; keep the installation out of rain, frost and standing water for 3 days, and allow 3 days of curing before filling a pool, spa or fountain.
Check before you buy
The chart and this calculator assume clean, full-depth joints and normal technique; MAPEI notes that real coverage varies with exact tile size, joint width, job conditions and grouting method. Buy all bags of one color from the same lot if you can, and confirm the color on the store's sample board, since Ultracolor Plus FA comes in about 40 colors in the US. This site is not affiliated with MAPEI.
FAQ
How much does a 25 lb bag of Ultracolor Plus FA cover?
It depends on tile size and joint width. MAPEI's US data sheet gives 388 sq ft per 25 lb bag for 12 x 12 x 3/8 inch tile with 1/8 inch joints, 776 sq ft at 1/16 inch, 194 sq ft at 1/4 inch and 65 sq ft at 3/4 inch. Mosaics use much more: 2 x 2 inch mosaic at 1/8 inch joints covers 97 sq ft per bag and 1 x 1 inch mosaic 49 sq ft. MAPEI says the chart is for estimating only.
How much does a 10 lb bag cover compared with a 25 lb bag?
About 40 percent as much, which matches the weight. The data sheet prints a separate 10 lb chart, and every cell is close to 0.4 times the 25 lb figure: for 12 x 12 inch tile with 1/8 inch joints it is 156 sq ft per 10 lb bag against 388 per 25 lb bag. This calculator counts 25 lb bags; if the result is well under one bag, multiply the coverage it shows by 0.4 to see whether a 10 lb bag is enough.
Can Ultracolor Plus FA be used for 1/16 inch and 3/4 inch joints?
Yes. MAPEI rates it for joints from 1/16 to 3/4 inch (1.5 to 19 mm), and the coverage chart runs across that whole range. It is a fine-aggregate grout sold as a replacement for both sanded and unsanded grout, so the same product can be used for tight rectified porcelain joints and for wide joints on rustic tile or stone.
Why does this calculator use a different formula from some other grout pages on this site?
Each calculator follows the formula its manufacturer's chart was built with. MAPEI's chart matches the standard textbook formula, 144 x (L + W) x J x T divided by L x W, almost exactly: worked back from all 128 cells, it implies the same joint volume per bag to within rounding. Using that formula keeps mosaic and wide-joint results in line with MAPEI's own numbers instead of underestimating them.
Do I need to seal Ultracolor Plus FA?
Sealing is not typically required, according to MAPEI. Its DropEffect technology reduces surface absorption to help repel water and dirt. MAPEI says a sealer from its UltraCare range may still be applied if you want extra protection, and recommends contacting its Technical Services for advice on grout sealers.
MAPEI and MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA are trademarks of their owner. This page is an independent estimate based on the published data sheet; check the bag label before mixing.