Concrete sealer calculator
Enter the area, the kind of sealer and the surface to see how many gallons to buy. Coverage rates come from manufacturer data sheets; your product’s label has the final say.
Enter your measurements
More options: Coverage
- In 5 gal pails + 1 gal cans
- 3 × 1 gal
- Area
- 400 sq ft
- Coverage used, per coat
- 150 sq ft per gallon
20 ft × 20 ft = 400 sq ft
400 sq ft × 1 coat ÷ 150 sq ft per gallon = 2.7 gal
- Seal clean, dry, cured concrete. Read the label for how long new concrete must cure first and the temperature range for application.
- Film-forming sealers can make a surface slippery when wet; some makers offer an anti-slip additive for walks and pool decks.
Quick answers for common sizes
| Example | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much sealer for a concrete driveway | 5.3 gal per coat for 800 sq ft (acrylic, broomed) |
Gallons for the area above, by sealer and coats
| Coats | Sealer needed | In 5 gal pails + 1 gal cans |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.7 gal | 3 × 1 gal |
| 2 | 5.3 gal | 1 × 5 gal + 1 × 1 gal |
| 3 | 8 gal | 1 × 5 gal + 3 × 1 gal |
Sealer coverage is quoted in square feet per gallon per coat, and it depends heavily on the surface. Smooth, dense concrete takes less; broomed, rough or porous concrete soaks up more. Divide the area by the coverage, multiply by the number of coats, and round up to the containers you can buy.
gallons = area (sq ft) × coats ÷ coverage (sq ft per gallon)
| Product type | Smooth surface | Broomed / porous | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic cure & seal, as a sealer | ≈ 200 sq ft/gal | ≈ 150 sq ft/gal | Quikrete No. 8730 data sheet |
| Acrylic cure & seal, as a curing compound | 200 sq ft/gal | 200 sq ft/gal | Quikrete (ASTM C309 rate) |
| Penetrating silane-siloxane | 200–225 sq ft/gal | up to 175 sq ft/gal | Foundation Armor SX5000 data sheet |
A worked example for a two-car driveway is on how much sealer for a concrete driveway.
Which kind of sealer?
- Acrylic cure & seal forms a thin film. Put on fresh concrete, it holds in moisture so the slab cures properly; later coats add a light sheen and stain resistance. Films wear and need recoating.
- Penetrating sealers (silanes and siloxanes) soak in and make the concrete water-repellent without changing its look or texture. Common on driveways and walks exposed to de-icing salt — NRMCA’s scaling guide recommends a breathable silane or siloxane sealer for exterior slabs in freeze-thaw climates.
- Countertop sealers are their own category — choose one rated for food contact.
Tips
- Clean and dry first. Sealer over dirt, oil or a damp slab can fail or turn cloudy.
- Apply thin, even coats; puddles of film-forming sealer dry white and slippery.
- Mind the weather. Quikrete says not to apply its cure & seal if rain or temperatures below 50 °F are expected within 24 hours.
What you’ll need
- Pump sprayerBudget price
Applies cure-and-seal and penetrating sealers evenly. Check the sealer label for a solvent-resistant sprayer if needed.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Acrylic concrete cure and sealMid-range price
Rolled or sprayed onto fresh concrete, it holds moisture in while the slab cures and leaves a light sealed finish.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Penetrating concrete sealer (silane/siloxane)Mid-range price
Soaks in rather than forming a film, so it doesn’t change the look or make a walk slippery. Coverage varies a lot with how porous the concrete is.
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Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a gallon of concrete sealer cover?
Typically 150–225 sq ft per coat, depending on the product and surface: about 200 on smooth concrete and 150 on broomed concrete for an acrylic cure & seal, and up to 175 (porous) to 225 (smooth) for a silane-siloxane penetrating sealer. Check your label.
Should I use a curing compound on new concrete?
Curing compounds are one of several ways to keep new concrete moist while it cures; wet burlap, plastic sheeting and sprinklers are others. NRMCA notes concrete left to dry out can lose a large share of its potential strength.
How many coats of sealer does concrete need?
Whatever the label says. Many acrylics go on in one or two thin coats; some penetrating sealers suggest two coats. More coats multiply the gallons.
Related guides
Sources
- Quikrete Acrylic Concrete Cure & Seal (No. 8730) data sheet (opens in a new tab) — As a curing compound, 200 sq ft per gallon (ASTM C309); as a sealer, 150–200 sq ft per gallon depending on texture.
- Foundation Armor SX5000 technical data sheet (opens in a new tab) — Silane-siloxane penetrating sealer: up to 175 sq ft per gallon on porous surfaces, 200–225 on smooth, per coat; two coats suggested.
- NRMCA Concrete in Practice 11 — Curing In-Place Concrete (opens in a new tab) — Cure for typically 3 to 7 days; keep placed concrete above 50 °F (10 °C); concrete in a dry environment can lose as much as 50% of its potential strength.
- NRMCA Concrete in Practice 2 — Scaling Concrete Surfaces (opens in a new tab) — Order air-entrained concrete (about 6% air) for exterior slabs exposed to freezing and de-icers; avoid de-icing chemicals in the first winter.