Calculator
Tile Calculator
Estimate tile quantity and cost for any floor or wall layout.
This tile calculator estimates how many tiles, boxes, and total area you need to cover a floor or wall. Add a waste percentage to account for cuts, breakage, and pattern matching.
Result
Enter your values and tap "Estimate tile count" to see your result.
How to use this calculator
Enter the area's length and width, then the tile dimensions. Add a waste percentage (typically 10% for straight layouts, 15–20% for diagonal). The calculator returns total tiles and recommended boxes.
How it works
This tile calculator estimates how many tiles, boxes, and total area you need to cover a floor or wall. Add a waste percentage to account for cuts, breakage, and pattern matching.
Frequently asked questions
How much waste should I add?
10% is standard for simple straight-lay patterns. Use 15–20% for diagonal layouts, herringbone, complex patterns, or rooms with many cuts and angles.
Should I round up tile counts?
Yes. Always round up to the next whole tile, then round again to the next full box, since tiles are usually sold by the box.
What about grout lines?
Grout joints are usually accounted for inside the tile dimensions on the box. For very thick joints, increase the waste percentage slightly.
How do I handle irregular rooms?
Split the room into rectangles, calculate each separately, then add the totals. For curved or angled areas, work from the smallest enclosing rectangle.
Should I buy extra tiles for repairs?
Yes — order at least one extra box from the same dye lot. Future replacement tiles may not match in color or finish.
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How to use the Tile Calculator
Calculate the number of tiles needed for a floor or wall area; account for waste and cuts; estimate tile order quantity before purchasing.
Example workflow
Enter the room dimensions and tile size. The calculator returns the tile count needed, recommended overage for cuts and breakage, and total area covered.
Common search topics
- tiles needed
- floor tile estimate
- wall tile calculator
- tile square footage
Frequently asked questions
How many extra tiles should I order?
Order 10% extra for straight-lay patterns and 15–20% extra for diagonal or herringbone layouts, which require more cuts. If your room has many corners or irregular edges, add an extra 5%.
How do I measure a room for tiling?
Measure length × width for rectangular rooms. For L-shaped rooms, break the area into rectangles and add them. Subtract fixed areas like cabinets or islands where tile will not be laid.
Does tile size affect the amount I need?
Yes, in terms of cuts and waste. Larger tiles (e.g. 24×24 inch) often produce less waste in open areas but more waste in corners. Smaller tiles are more flexible around obstacles.
What about grout joints?
Standard grout joints (1/8 to 3/8 inch) slightly reduce the number of tiles needed per area. For most standard tile sizes, this effect is small and the 10% waste buffer typically covers it.
Can I use this calculator for both floor and wall tile?
Yes. The calculation is the same — enter the area dimensions and tile size regardless of orientation. Wall tiles sometimes require thinner adhesive and specific grout, but the quantity calculation is identical.
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People also ask
What is the best tile layout for a small bathroom?
Larger format tiles (12×24 or 18×18 inches) make small bathrooms appear larger by reducing the number of grout lines the eye perceives. Running bond (offset) laid lengthwise along the longer dimension also visually extends a narrow room. Diagonal layouts add movement but increase waste by 15–20% and should be reserved for square rooms where the pattern enhances rather than fragments the space.
How do I calculate tile for a shower or backsplash?
Measure the height and width of each wall section being tiled. Subtract fixed openings (window frames, niches, shower valve cutouts). Add individual wall areas together for a total. Shower niches, corners, and bullnose edges require additional cuts — add 20% waste for showers vs 10% for flat floor fields. Order one full extra box beyond the calculated quantity for future repairs from the same dye lot.
Should I hire a professional tiler or DIY?
Simple rectangular floors with standard tiles in good condition subfloor are manageable DIY projects. Wet areas (showers, steam rooms), large-format tiles (24×48+), radiant heat systems, uncoupling membrane installation, or complex patterns (herringbone, mosaic) benefit significantly from professional installation. A bad tiling job is expensive to fix — substrate prep and level matters more than the tile itself.
Real-world scenarios
Tiling a 10×12 bathroom floor with 12×24 tiles
The room area is 120 sq ft. A 12×24 tile covers 2 sq ft per tile, so the base count is 60 tiles. Add 10% waste (6 tiles) for a total of 66. If tiles are sold in boxes of 4 (8 sq ft per box), you need 9 boxes (72 tiles). Always round up to the next full box — returning unused boxes from the same lot is preferable to running short and finding the color has been discontinued.
Planning a kitchen backsplash
A standard 4-inch backsplash running 15 linear feet covers 5 sq ft. A full-height backsplash (counter to upper cabinet, roughly 18 inches) over the same run covers 22.5 sq ft. Measure each wall section separately, subtract the range hood and window if applicable, and add 15% waste for the many small cuts around outlets, corners, and cabinet edges.
Matching existing tile for a repair or extension
If adding tile to an existing tiled area, bring a loose tile from the original installation to the tile store. Batch and shade variation means even the same SKU from a different lot may not match precisely. If the original tile is discontinued, consider an accent row of contrasting tile to create an intentional transition rather than a visible mismatch.