Tile Calculator

Home improvement estimator

Tile Calculator

Calculate tile quantity, waste, boxes, and estimated tile material cost for floors, walls, showers, and backsplashes.

1. What are you tiling?

Measure each rectangular floor. Add another area for Room 2, Room 3, and so on.

2. Choose the units that match your measuring tape.

3. Surface dimensions

Length × width

Use the same measuring tape for both sides. For 12 ft 6 in, enter 12 in feet and 6 in inches. Add another area to combine Room 2, Room 3, or extra walls into one plan.

Openings & deductions

Optional

Subtract doors, windows, or cabinets that will not receive tile. Waste is applied after these deductions.

4. Tile size

One tile

5. Pattern & waste estimate

Suggested allowance

This is a typical waste estimate, not a geometric layout calculation. Straight/grid usually needs less extra tile; offset a little more; diagonal and herringbone typically more.

Waste is an estimate for cuts, layout, breakage, and a few spare tiles. Complicated rooms or patterns can need more. These percentages are not a guaranteed requirement.

Record the planned grout width for planning. Grout spacing does not change the current tile quantity estimate, which uses tile coverage plus the selected waste allowance.

6. Buying information

Optional

Optional. Tile is usually sold by the box — round up to complete cartons. If a box holds 10 tiles and you need 61, buy 7 boxes.

sq ft

Estimated tile cost

Material only — this does not include labor, thinset, grout, or other supplies. Currency only changes the symbol, not the number.

How to Use the Tile Calculator

  1. Choose Floor, Wall, Shower, or Backsplash.
  2. Choose Imperial or Metric so the units match your tape.
  3. Enter each rectangle. Add another area for extra rooms or walls. Subtract openings that will not receive tile.
  4. Enter the tile size or pick a common size such as 12 × 12 in.
  5. Choose a pattern/waste estimate (typical allowance, not a layout drawing), or type a custom percentage.
  6. Optional: enter tiles per box or coverage per box, plus a price if you want a material cost.
  7. Press Calculate. The plan rounds up to whole tiles and complete boxes.

Common tile projects

One calculator covers these jobs. Choose the matching surface type, then enter each rectangle.

Floor tile

Length × width for each room. Combine Room 1, Room 2, and Room 3 in one plan.

Wall tile

Wall width × height. Deduct doors or windows that will not be tiled.

Shower tile

Measure each shower face. Niches and corners often need a higher waste estimate.

Backsplash tile

Width × height for the field. Account for windows or large cutouts if they skip tile.

Short planning guides that support the calculator. They are not a blog feed.

How Many Tiles Do I Need?

The core formula, waste, boxes, and worked examples.

How to Measure for Tile

Rectangles, L-shapes, and openings.

How Much Tile Waste Do I Need?

Typical allowances by pattern — estimates, not rules.

How Many Tile Boxes Do I Need?

Round up to complete cartons.

How to Calculate Tile Cost

Material cost only, by tile, box, or area.

Tile Patterns and Waste

Straight, offset, diagonal, and herringbone estimates.

All tile guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many 12×12 tiles do I need for 100 square feet?

A 12 × 12 in tile covers 1 square foot, so 100 square feet needs 100 tiles before waste. With a typical 10% waste allowance, plan to buy 110 tiles.

How much extra tile should I buy for waste?

Many straight layouts use about 10%. Offset/running bond is a typical 12% estimate. Diagonal and herringbone both use a typical 15% estimate in this calculator. These are planning estimates. Odd corners, small rooms, and extra cuts can increase the amount you should buy.

How do I calculate how many tiles I need?

Measure each rectangle, multiply length by width, and add the areas. Divide that total by the area of one tile, round up to a whole tile, then add your waste percentage. The form at the top of this page does those steps for you.

How many tiles are in a box?

It depends on the product. Some boxes hold 8 tiles, others 10, 12, or more, and some list coverage instead of a tile count. Read the carton, then enter tiles per box or coverage per box so the estimate can round up to complete boxes.

How do I calculate tile for a wall?

Multiply wall width by wall height to get the wall area. Choose Wall, Shower, or Backsplash, enter those two sides, and add another area for extra walls. Divide by one tile’s coverage and add waste, the same as a floor.

Do I need more tile for a diagonal or herringbone layout?

Usually yes. Those patterns create more cut pieces, so this calculator suggests 15% waste for both diagonal and herringbone as a planning estimate. Choose the matching pattern & waste estimate, or enter a custom percentage if your installer recommends one.

Should I subtract doors and windows?

Yes, if those openings will not be tiled. Leave them out of the measurement, or break the surface into rectangles that skip the opening. If you tile up to a window stool or around a door frame, measure only the surfaces that will actually receive tile.

Should I keep leftover tiles?

Yes. Keep a few extras from the same lot for chips, future repairs, or matching a later patch. Shade can vary between production runs, so leftover tile from this project is more useful than a later replacement box.