Tile & Flooring Calculator
Calculate tiles, boxes, and cost for floors and walls with waste factor.
Results
Room Area —
Area with Waste —
Tiles Needed —
Always buy a few extra tiles for future repairs. Tile dye lots may vary between orders.
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How to Calculate Tile
To calculate how many tiles you need, divide the total area by the area of a single tile, then add waste for cuts and breakage.
Tile Formula
Room Area = Length × Width (in sq ft)
Tile Area = (Tile Length × Tile Width) / 144 (in sq ft)
Tiles Needed = (Room Area × (1 + Waste%)) / Tile Area
Tile Area = (Tile Length × Tile Width) / 144 (in sq ft)
Tiles Needed = (Room Area × (1 + Waste%)) / Tile Area
Common Tile Sizes
- 12" × 12": Classic floor tile, 1 sq ft each
- 12" × 24": Modern rectangular format, popular for floors
- 18" × 18": Large format, makes rooms look bigger
- 24" × 24": Extra-large, minimal grout lines
- 3" × 6": Subway tile (walls and backsplashes)
- 6" × 6": Traditional wall tile
Waste Factor Guide
- 5%: Simple rectangular room, straight lay, experienced installer
- 10%: Standard recommendation for most projects
- 15%: Diagonal layouts, L-shaped rooms, lots of cuts
- 20%: Herringbone, chevron, or complex patterns
Don't Forget
- Grout: 1 lb per 5-10 sq ft depending on tile size and gap width
- Thinset mortar: 1 bag (50 lbs) covers ~60-75 sq ft
- Backer board: Required for wet areas (shower, tub surround)
- Spacers: 1 bag per 100 sq ft (1/8" or 1/16" size)
A quality tile saw makes cuts faster and cleaner, especially for large-format tiles. You'll also want a set of tile spacers for consistent grout lines.