Tile Calculator
✓ Your estimate
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Sq Feet
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Base Tiles
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+Waste Tiles
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Boxes Needed
⚠ Always buy from the same dye lot. Tile colors vary between production batches -- replacements from a later batch may not match.
What the Result Means
The tile count is the number of whole tiles needed to cover your area, adjusted for waste. Boxes are rounded up -- you cannot buy a partial box. For flooring alternatives, see the vinyl flooring calculator. If you are tiling a bathroom that also needs painting, the paint calculator handles those estimates. All interior tools are at the interior calculators page.
How the Calculation Works
Project Area = Length x Width (sq ft)
Tile Area = Tile Length x Tile Width / 144 (sq ft per tile)
Base Tile Count = Project Area / Tile Area
Adjusted Count = Base Count x (1 + Waste %)
Boxes = Adjusted Count / Tiles per Box (or Area / Sq Ft per Box)
Always round tile count and box count UP -- partial boxes are not sold
Worked Example
Example: 10 ft x 12 ft floor, 12 x 24 in tile, 10 tiles per box, 10% waste
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Project area: 10 x 12 = 120 sq ft
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Tile area: (12 x 24) / 144 = 2.0 sq ft per tile
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Base tiles: 120 / 2.0 = 60 tiles
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With 10% waste: 60 x 1.10 = 66 tiles
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Boxes: 66 / 10 = 6.6 -- round up to 7 boxes
Buying Notes
Assumptions Used by This Calculator
- Tile sizes are nominal; actual tile dimensions vary by manufacturer.
- Grout joint width affects visual layout but this calculator estimates coverage by tile face area.
- Waste depends heavily on pattern, room shape, and installer experience.
- Always buy extra tiles from the same dye lot for future repairs.
- Wet areas require waterproofing and cement backer board not included in tile count.
- Boxes are rounded up -- partial boxes are not sold separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tiles do I need for a 10x12 room?
A 10x12 room is 120 sq ft. Using 12x24 inch tiles (2 sq ft each), you need 60 base tiles plus waste. With 10% waste, order 66 tiles. With 15% for a diagonal layout, order 69 tiles.
How much waste should I add for tile?
For a straight lay, 10% is standard. For diagonal patterns, add 15%. For herringbone or complex patterns, add 15-20%. Tiles cut along walls and around obstacles create waste that cannot be reused.
Does grout spacing change the tile count?
For material quantity, grout joint width has a small effect on tile count. The main impact is visual spacing and grout quantity, not the number of tiles needed for the area.
Should I calculate by tiles per box or square feet per box?
Either method works. If your tile box lists tiles per box (common for small tiles), use that mode. If the box lists sq ft per box (common for large format tiles), use the sq ft mode. Check the box label before entering.
How many extra tiles should I keep after installation?
Keep at least 10% of your total order as spare tiles, ideally from the same dye lot. Tiles from different batches can vary in shade, and matching replacements years later is often impossible.
What tile pattern uses the most waste?
Diagonal and herringbone patterns generate the most waste because more cuts are needed at every wall edge. A diagonal layout can add 15-20% waste over a straight lay.
Do shower walls need a different estimate?
The square footage calculation is the same. However, shower installations require cement backer board, waterproofing membrane, and rated grout and caulk. The tile quantity estimate applies, but the prep materials are different.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. Actual tile quantities depend on tile size, pattern, room shape, and installer method. Always verify with your tile supplier before purchasing. See all interior renovation calculators.