Granite countertops cost $50 to $150 a square foot installed in 2026
Granite countertops cost $50 to $150 a square foot installed in 2026. HomeGuide lists $80 to $150 and $2,400 to $6,000 for a 30 to 40 square foot kitchen. HomeAdvisor lists a national average of $3,250. Grade, color, edge style and kitchen size change the price. Basic granite costs less. Rare or exotic slabs cost far more, so pick the grade first.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor | HomeAdvisor lists a national average of $3,250, a typical range of $2,000 to $4,000 and materials at $40 to $60 a square foot. |
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists $80 to $150 a square foot installed and $2,400 to $6,000 for a 30 to 40 square foot kitchen. |
| Forbes Home | Forbes lists granite at $29 to $147 a square foot, or $870 to $4,410 in materials for a 30 square foot kitchen. |
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists granite at $50 to $340 per installed square foot. |
Granite countertop cost by grade, size and type
| Grade, size or type | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 granite, per square foot | $50 to $80 | HomeGuide |
| Level 2 granite, per square foot | $80 to $150 | HomeGuide |
| Level 3 and up exotic, per square foot | $150 to $250 | HomeGuide |
| Kitchen of 30 to 40 square feet | $2,400 to $6,000 | HomeGuide |
| Average kitchen, 24 by 180 inches, materials | $1,900 to $3,300 | HomeAdvisor |
| Small island, 40 by 40 inches, materials | $650 to $1,200 | HomeAdvisor |
| Granite tile, per square foot | $6 to $15 | HomeGuide |
| Full range, installed, per square foot | $50 to $340 | Bob Vila |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Grade | HomeGuide lists Level 1 at $50 to $80 a square foot, Level 2 at $80 to $150 and exotic Level 3 and up at $150 to $250. |
| Color and type | HomeAdvisor lists Alaska White at $35 a square foot and Blue Louise at $70 to $100. Rare colors cost more. |
| Kitchen size | HomeGuide lists $1,600 to $4,500 for 20 to 30 sq ft and $3,200 to $9,000 or more for 40 to 60 sq ft or larger. |
| Edge and finish | HomeGuide lists a straight edge at $0 to $5 a linear foot and ogee at $15 to $46. HomeAdvisor adds $10 to $20 a square foot for honed. |
| Labor and extras | HomeGuide lists labor at $10 to $50 a square foot and sink cutouts at $100 to $300 each. Old top removal adds more. |
What the price includes
The installed price covers the granite slab, cutting, delivery and labor to set it. It often does not cover removing the old countertop, sink or cooktop cutouts, special edges or sealing. HomeGuide lists cutouts at $100 to $300 each and sealing at $200 to $350 a treatment. Ask for all items in writing. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Granite is heavy and breaks if it is cut or lifted wrong. Most homeowners hire a pro. Slabs need careful cuts for sinks and cooktops, and seams must line up. HomeGuide lists labor at $10 to $50 a square foot and cutouts at $100 to $300 each. You can save by taking out the old countertop yourself, which HomeAdvisor lists at $100 to $200 if hired out. You can also seal the stone yourself. Leave the cutting and setting to a shop with the right tools.
How to tell you need it
You may want new granite when your counters are chipped, stained or worn, or when the layout no longer fits you. Deep chips and cracks at the sink can let in water. Granite is made to last for decades, so many people choose it when they update a kitchen to add value. If your counters are in good shape and you just want a new look, a good clean, a reseal or new hardware may be enough.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the price per square foot and the total square feet.
- Ask which grade and color of granite the quote covers.
- Ask if the edge, cutouts, delivery and sealing are in the price.
- Ask if old countertop removal is in the quote.
- Compare the total with the range above: $50 to $150 per square foot installed for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Pick a Level 1 granite. HomeGuide lists it at $50 to $80 a square foot, against $150 to $250 for exotic slabs.
- Choose a straight edge. HomeGuide lists straight at $0 to $5 a linear foot and ogee or bullnose at $15 to $46.
- Keep a polished finish. HomeAdvisor lists honed at $10 to $20 more a square foot and leathered at $15 to $25 more.
- Ask for a remnant or a prefab piece for a small job. Small islands and bar tops need little stone, so the bill can be lower.
- Get three written quotes with the same slab, edge and cutouts so you can compare price and labor.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Stone, trucking and skilled labor all cost more in 2026, so slab and install prices keep rising.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, Forbes Home and Bob Vila. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much do granite countertops cost?
HomeGuide lists $80 to $150 a square foot installed. HomeAdvisor lists a national average of $3,250 with a typical range of $2,000 to $4,000.
How much for a typical kitchen?
HomeGuide lists $2,400 to $6,000 for 30 to 40 square feet. Forbes lists $1,320 to $8,910 for an average kitchen with labor.
Is granite tile cheaper?
Yes. HomeGuide lists granite tile at $6 to $15 a square foot, far below slab granite. Tile has more seams.
Does the edge change the price?
Yes. HomeGuide lists a straight edge at $0 to $5 a linear foot and ogee or bullnose at $15 to $46.
Does granite need sealing?
HomeGuide lists professional sealing at $200 to $350 a treatment. HomeAdvisor lists it at $100 or more.