Crack Filler Coverage: Linear Feet per Gallon
Crack filler coverage per gallon depends almost entirely on the size of the crack. One U.S. gallon is 231 cubic inches, so a gallon fills about 308 linear feet of a crack ¼ inch wide and ¼ inch deep, but only about 77 feet of a ½ by ½ inch crack. Measure your cracks before you buy and you will not end up with a cart full of jugs, or three short.
Driveway sealer calculator →The formula
Linear feet per gallon = 231 ÷ (crack width in inches × fill depth in inches) ÷ 12.
The math assumes a rectangular crack filled flush. Real cracks are irregular, some fillers shrink as they cure, and you will waste a little, so treat the results as a best case and buy extra.
| Crack width × depth | Feet per gallon | Feet per 10.1 oz cartridge |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ × ¼ in | ~308 ft | ~24 ft |
| ¼ × ½ in | ~154 ft | ~12 ft |
| ⅜ × ⅜ in | ~137 ft | ~11 ft |
| ½ × ½ in | ~77 ft | ~6 ft |
| ½ × 1 in | ~39 ft | ~3 ft |
| ¾ × ¾ in | ~34 ft | ~2.7 ft |
A 10.1-ounce cartridge is about 0.079 gallon, or roughly 18 cubic inches. The manufacturer's label may list its own coverage; when it does, compare it with your actual crack sizes rather than the best-case figure.
Why depth matters so much
Deep cracks swallow filler. Doubling the depth halves the coverage. For cracks deeper than the product's limit, many labels call for a backer rod or sand to fill the bottom first, which saves product and helps the filler cure properly; see backer rod for asphalt cracks. Very wide cracks may need a different product altogether; see cracks too wide for filler.
Measuring your cracks
- Walk the driveway with a tape or measuring wheel and add up the length of cracks in a few width groups: hairline, about ¼ inch, about ½ inch, wider.
- Check depth with a screwdriver or a ruler after cleaning out debris.
- Run each group through the formula and add the gallons together.
- Add 10 to 20 percent for waste and shrinkage, then round up to whole containers.
Example: 60 feet of ¼ × ¼ inch cracks (about 0.2 gallon) plus 30 feet of ½ × ½ inch cracks (about 0.4 gallon) is about 0.6 gallon before extra. One gallon jug covers it with room to spare.
Other things that change how much you use
- Shrinkage. Some water-based fillers settle as they cure and may need a second pass; see crack filler not drying.
- Overbanding. Hot-pour sealers are often applied slightly wider than the crack, which uses more material; see crack seal versus crack fill.
- Hairline cracks. These often take a surface treatment rather than a filler bead; see what to do with hairline cracks.
Planning to sealcoat afterward? Use the sealer calculator for the gallons of sealer and let the filler cure first.
Questions people ask
How many feet does a gallon of crack filler cover?
It depends on crack size. A gallon is 231 cubic inches, so it fills about 308 feet of a ¼ by ¼ inch crack and about 77 feet of a ½ by ½ inch crack, before waste.
How much does a crack filler cartridge cover?
A 10.1-ounce cartridge holds about 18 cubic inches, enough for roughly 24 feet of a ¼ by ¼ inch crack or about 6 feet of a ½ by ½ inch crack.
Should I fill deep cracks all the way with filler?
Many products have a depth limit. Use backer rod or sand to fill the bottom of deep cracks first, then top with filler as the label directs.
How much extra crack filler should I buy?
Add about 10 to 20 percent for irregular cracks, shrinkage and waste, then round up to whole containers.
Related guides
- Asphalt crack filler
- Asphalt driveway crack repair cost
- Rubberized asphalt crack filler
- When you can drive on crack filler
As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.