Inputs
mL
Typical sizes: 300 mL, 600 mL, 10 fl oz, 29 fl oz.
mm
Round bead assumed. Area = π × (d/2)².
m
m
Tip: Press Enter to recalculate quickly.
Results
0
Cartridges needed (rounded up)
0
Coverage per cartridge
0
Total bead volume
- Total length entered 0
- Combined waste factor 0%
- Cartridges before waste (raw) 0
- Bead area (π·d²/4) 0
- Cartridge volume 0
- Effective beads per joint 0
Rounding note: final cartridges are rounded up to the next whole tube.
Example data
| # | Unit system | Cartridge size | Bead diameter | Length mode | Length | Joint count | Beads/joint | Waste % | Absorption % | Coverage / cart | Cartridges needed |
|---|
Formula used
- Convert units to a consistent system (mm, mm², mm³).
- 1 mL = 1,000 mm³. 1 US fl oz = 29.5735 mL.
- 1 in = 25.4 mm, 1 ft = 304.8 mm, 1 m = 1000 mm.
- Bead area: A = π·(d/2)² where d is bead diameter.
- Coverage per cartridge: Lcart = Vcart / A.
- Total bead length:
- Mode “Total length”: L = Lentered × beadsPerJoint.
- Mode “Per joint”: L = lengthPerJoint × jointCount × beadsPerJoint.
- Waste/absorption: apply factor F = 1 + (waste% + absorption%)/100.
- Cartridges (before rounding): N = (L × A × F) / Vcart.
- Final: cartridges needed = ceil(N).
Assumes a round bead and negligible squeeze-out. Increase waste for stop/starts, corners, or tooling losses.
How to use this calculator
- Choose your Unit system.
- Enter Cartridge size (e.g., 300 mL or 10 fl oz).
- Enter Bead diameter as applied through the nozzle.
- Provide either a Total length or Per joint × count.
- Set Beads per joint, Waste, and optional Surface absorption.
- Click Calculate. Review coverage, volume, and tube count.
- Use Download CSV or Download PDF to export results.
FAQs
Enter the approximate diameter of the round bead you will apply. It depends on nozzle cut size and application pressure. If unsure, measure a small test run.
For wide joints or high-strength bonds, two or three beads may be used. For typical edge bonding or sealing, one bead is common. Follow product guidance for your substrate.
Common allowances are 5–15% for stop/starts, nozzle purging, and cleanup. Increase for complex geometries, overhead work, tooling, or inexperienced crews.
Porous substrates like untreated wood, concrete, or brick can absorb adhesive. Add 10–15% to be conservative, or follow specific product data sheets.
No. The model assumes volume is placed as a round bead. Use the waste factor to account for squeeze-out, tooling, or shrinkage if relevant.
This calculator assumes a consistent bead size and beads-per-joint. For mixed jobs, split the work by scenario and sum the results.
You can enter any size. Common tubes are 300 mL and 10 fl oz; large foil sausages are 400–600 mL and 29 fl oz equivalents.