Tile Calculator
Calculate how many tiles you need for your project. Includes a 10% waste factor to account for cuts and breakage.
Enter Details
Room Dimensions
Tile Dimensions (Inches)
Results
Enter room and tile dimensions to calculate tiles needed.
Formula Explanation
Tile calculation involves finding the room area and dividing by tile area:
We recommend ordering the amount "with 10% waste" to account for cuts, breakage, and mistakes during installation.
How to Calculate Tile for Any Room
Calculating how many tiles you need starts with the total square footage of the area being tiled. Multiply the room's length by its width to get the floor area. For walls, calculate each wall section separately (length × height), then add them together and subtract openings like windows and doors.
Always add 10–15% extra to your tile order to account for cuts, breakage, and waste — especially in rooms with diagonal patterns, complex layouts, or many corners, which generate more offcuts. Having extra tile is also crucial for future repairs: tile is often discontinued, so storing a few boxes of the same lot ensures a perfect match if a tile chips or cracks years later.
Waste Factor by Layout Type
| Tile Layout | Recommended Extra |
|---|---|
| Straight (grid) pattern | 10% |
| Brick / offset pattern | 10% |
| Diagonal (45°) pattern | 15% |
| Herringbone pattern | 15% |
| Complex mosaic / custom | 20%+ |
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the length and width of the area to be tiled, in feet.
- Enter the tile dimensions in inches (e.g., 12×12, 18×18, 24×24).
- Select or enter a waste percentage based on your layout pattern.
- Click Calculate to see the number of tiles needed, square footage, and suggested order quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tile is best for a small bathroom?
Larger tiles (12×12 or bigger) can actually make a small bathroom feel larger by reducing the number of grout lines. However, large tiles on a shower floor require a proper slope to drain water, which can be tricky to achieve. For shower floors specifically, smaller mosaic tiles (2×2 or similar) conform more easily to the required slope and offer better slip resistance.
How much does it cost to tile a floor?
Tile installation typically costs $7–$25 per square foot installed, depending on tile type, labor rates in your area, and complexity. Ceramic tile is the most affordable (material cost: $0.50–$5/sq ft); porcelain is mid-range ($3–$10/sq ft); natural stone is the most expensive ($5–$30+/sq ft). Always get multiple quotes from local tile installers.
How do I account for grout lines in my tile calculation?
Standard grout joints are 1/8 inch to 3/16 inch for most floor tiles. This slightly reduces the effective coverage of each tile, but for practical purposes the difference is small — a 12×12 tile with a 3/16 inch grout joint covers about 99% of its stated area. The waste percentage already accounts for this in most professional estimates.