About this calculator
The Tile Adhesive Calculator sizes the kg requirement, bag count and total cost of tile adhesive for floor or wall tiling. The 2026 India range is ₹12–35 per sqft for adhesive material (ranging from Type 1 standard to Type 5 epoxy), depending on tile type and substrate.
Cement-sand mix is no longer acceptable for vitrified tile (the most common in Indian homes) — tile manufacturers void warranty for cement-mix installation. Tile adhesive is the modern correct choice but vendors often substitute Type 1 for Type 3 jobs, saving themselves but voiding warranty on your tiles.
Why homeowners use this calculator
- Type 1 / Type 3 / Type 4 / Type 5 use-case mapping.
- Bag count from sqft input.
- Brand picker (MYK Laticrete, Ardex, Sika, ASN, Pidilite).
- Substrate-specific recommendations.
- Free PDF for vendor cross-check.
Features
- Tile area input.
- Tile size picker (60×60, 60×120, 80×80, etc.).
- Substrate (concrete / existing tile / wood).
- Type recommendation.
- Premium gated PDF.
How the calculation works
Coverage = 30–35 sqft per 20 kg bag (5 mm bed). For 1000 sqft floor with 60×60 vitrified tile: 30 bags × ₹450 (Type 3, MYK) = ₹13.5k material + ₹15/sqft application labour ₹15k = ₹28.5k total. Same with Type 1 cement-modified saves ₹4–6k but voids tile warranty.
Why this estimate is more accurate
Tile adhesive substitution is the #1 hidden quality-cut in Indian tile work. Contractors quote on Type 3 but supply Type 1 — same brand, half the price, dramatically lower bond strength. Knowing how to spec it (and visually verify on site) protects your floor.
Material comparison
| Type | ₹ / 20 kg bag | Best for | Bond strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 (cement-modified) | ₹150–250 | Ceramic on cement substrate | 0.5 N/mm² |
| Type 2 (improved) | ₹250–380 | Vitrified small, wall ceramic | 1.0 N/mm² |
| Type 3 (polymer-modified) | ₹380–600 | Vitrified 60×60 floor + wall | 1.5 N/mm² |
| Type 4 (high-polymer) | ₹600–950 | Large-format 80×80, 60×120, swimming pools | 2.0 N/mm² |
| Type 5 (epoxy) | ₹2,800–4,500 | Industrial, chemical-resistant zones | 3.5 N/mm² |
What affects the final cost
- Tile size — larger tiles need higher-bond adhesive; 60×120 needs Type 4 minimum.
- Substrate — bonding to existing tile or wood needs Type 4 high-polymer; can't shortcut with Type 1.
- Wet zones — bathroom shower walls, exterior, swimming pools demand Type 4 minimum.
- Brand premium — MYK Laticrete / Ardex 20–35% over Pidilite Wonder Bond / ASN for same type.
- Coverage estimation — 30 sqft/bag for standard, drops to 22 sqft/bag for textured substrate.
- Labour application — ₹12–20/sqft for adhesive lay vs ₹8–15/sqft for cement-mix; ₹3–7/sqft higher but warranty-safe.
City-wise cost variations
1000 sqft vitrified 60×60 floor, Type 3 adhesive (MYK Laticrete), 2026:
- Mumbai — ₹15–18k material + ₹16k labour
- Delhi NCR — ₹14–17k material + ₹15k labour
- Bengaluru — ₹13–16k material + ₹14k labour
- Hyderabad / Chennai / Pune — ₹12.5–15k material + ₹13k labour
- Tier-2 cities — ₹11–14k material + ₹11k labour