Tile Calculator: Estimate Flooring & Wall Tiles
Use this Tile Calculator to accurately determine the number of tiles needed for your flooring or wall project. It accounts for room dimensions, individual tile size, and includes a recommended waste factor for cuts and breakages.
Please enter valid positive numbers for dimensions.
Total Project Area:
0 sq ft
Area of One Tile:
0 sq ft
Net Tiles Needed (No Waste):
0
Waste Buffer (Tiles):
0
Total Tiles to Buy:
0
Total Boxes Needed:
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How to Calculate Tile Requirements
Calculating the number of tiles needed for a renovation project requires a few simple steps, but precision is key to avoiding shortages during installation. Whether you are tiling a bathroom floor, a kitchen backsplash, or a shower wall, the mathematics remains consistent.
1. Measure the Area
First, calculate the total square footage of the surface you intend to tile. For a rectangular room, simply multiply the length by the width in feet.
Formula: Area = Room Length (ft) × Room Width (ft)
Example: A 10ft by 12ft room equals 120 square feet.
2. Determine Tile Coverage
Next, find the area covered by a single tile. Since tiles are usually sold in inches, you must convert this to square feet to match your room measurement.
Formula: (Tile Length (in) × Tile Width (in)) ÷ 144 = Square Feet per Tile
Example: A 12″ x 12″ tile is (12×12)/144 = 1 square foot.
3. Add a Waste Factor
Professional tilers never order the exact amount of tile required for the net area. You must account for:
- Cuts: Edges of the room usually require cut tiles, and the off-cuts are often unusable.
- Breakage: Tiles can crack during shipping or cutting.
- Pattern Matching: Patterned tiles may require more waste to align designs correctly.
- Future Repairs: It is wise to keep a box of spare tiles in the attic.
Recommended Overage Percentages
| Installation Type | Recommended Waste % |
|---|---|
| Standard Layout (Grid) | 10% – 15% |
| Diagonal Layout (Diamond) | 15% – 20% |
| Complex Rooms (Many corners/obstacles) | 20% – 25% |
| Large Format Tiles (24″ or larger) | 15% – 20% |
Common Tile Sizes Reference
Use this chart to quickly estimate coverage for popular tile sizes.
| Tile Size (Inches) | Square Feet Per Tile | Tiles Per 100 Sq Ft (Net) |
|---|---|---|
| 4″ x 4″ | 0.11 sq ft | 900 |
| 6″ x 6″ | 0.25 sq ft | 400 |
| 12″ x 12″ | 1.00 sq ft | 100 |
| 12″ x 24″ | 2.00 sq ft | 50 |
| 24″ x 24″ | 4.00 sq ft | 25 |