Tile Calculator
Free Tile Calculator for construction. Enter project dimensions to estimate materials, costs, and requirements.
Formula
Tiles = (Area ÷ Tile Size) × (1 + Waste%)
Calculate room area in square feet, divide by individual tile area, then multiply by waste factor (1.10 for 10% waste). Divide by tiles per box for box count.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Standard Bathroom Floor
Problem:Calculate tiles for a 8×10 ft bathroom using 12×12 inch tiles.
Solution:Area = 8 × 10 = 80 sq ft\n\nTile size: 12×12 = 1 sq ft each\n\nTiles needed: 80 tiles\nAdd 10% waste: 80 × 1.10 = 88 tiles\n\nBoxes (10 per box): 88 ÷ 10 = 9 boxes\n\nMaterials:\nMortar: 80 ÷ 50 = 2 bags\nGrout: 80 ÷ 100 = 1 bag
Result:9 boxes (90 tiles), 2 bags mortar, 1 bag grout
Example 2: Large Format Tile
Problem:Calculate 24×24 inch tiles for a 15×20 ft living room.
Solution:Area = 15 × 20 = 300 sq ft\n\nTile size: 24×24 = 4 sq ft each\n\nTiles needed: 300 ÷ 4 = 75 tiles\nAdd 15% waste (large tiles): 75 × 1.15 = 87 tiles\n\nBoxes (4 per box): 87 ÷ 4 = 22 boxes\n\nLayout: 7.5 tiles per row, 10 tiles per column
Result:22 boxes (88 tiles) for 300 sq ft room
Example 3: Diagonal Kitchen Floor
Problem:Calculate tiles for 12×14 ft kitchen with diagonal 18×18 inch installation.
Solution:Area = 12 × 14 = 168 sq ft\n\nTile size: 18×18 = 2.25 sq ft each\n\nBase tiles: 168 ÷ 2.25 = 75 tiles\n\nDiagonal installation - add 20% waste:\n75 × 1.20 = 90 tiles\n\nBoxes (5 per box): 90 ÷ 5 = 18 boxes
Result:18 boxes for diagonal installation
Frequently Asked Questions
How much extra tile should I buy for waste?
Standard rule: 10% extra for simple rectangular rooms, 15% for rooms with obstacles (cabinets, corners), 20% for diagonal installations or large format tiles. Also buy extras for future repairs - tiles get discontinued. Keep at least one box in storage.
What size tile is best for small rooms?
Contrary to intuition, larger tiles (12×24 or larger) can make small rooms appear bigger by having fewer grout lines. However, large tiles may need more cuts and waste. For small bathrooms, 12×12 is versatile. Avoid tiles smaller than 6×6 which can look busy.
How many boxes of tile do I need?
Calculate total tiles needed (including waste), then divide by tiles per box. Always round up. Box coverage varies: typical 12×12 boxes contain 10-12 tiles covering 10-12 sq ft. Check box labels for exact coverage. Buy full boxes only - you can't return opened boxes.
What other materials do I need for tile installation?
Essential materials: Thinset mortar (1 bag per 50 sq ft), grout (1 bag per 80-100 sq ft), tile spacers, sealer for natural stone. Tools: tile cutter or wet saw, trowel (size based on tile size), grout float, level, spacers, buckets, sponges. Consider backer board for subfloor prep.