How this calculator works
A standard 10 oz caulk tube holds about 18 cubic inches of material. Dividing that by the cross-sectional area of a round bead gives the linear feet per tube, and the calculator adds 10% for starts, stops, and tooling waste.
Worked example — caulking 40 ft of window and door trim at 3/16" bead:
18 ÷ (π × 0.094²) ÷ 12 = 54 ft per tube → ceil(40 × 1.10 / 54) = 1 tube.
18 ÷ (π × 0.094²) ÷ 12 = 54 ft per tube → ceil(40 × 1.10 / 54) = 1 tube.
Match the caulk to the job
Use paintable latex caulk for interior trim and baseboards. Use silicone or siliconized acrylic for wet areas (tub surrounds, sinks) and exterior joints. Use polyurethane caulk for driveways and masonry joints that get heavy movement.
Frequently asked questions
How many linear feet does a tube of caulk cover?
A 10 oz tube covers about 54 ft at 3/16", 30 ft at 1/4", 13 ft at 3/8", or 7 ft at 1/2" — depending on bead size.
How much caulk do I need for windows and doors?
A typical exterior window or door perimeter is about 20–25 linear feet. With a 3/16" bead, one 10 oz tube handles 2–3 windows comfortably.