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Tile Calculator — How Many Tiles Do You Need?
Calculate how many tiles you need for floor or wall projects. Estimates pieces, cost, and waste allowance so you order the right amount the first time.
About This Calculator
Tiling a bathroom floor, kitchen backsplash, or living room starts with one critical question: how many tiles do I buy? Order too few and the project stalls halfway — and the exact same tile may be discontinued or out of stock when you go back for more. Order too many and you're stuck with non-returnable boxes that gather dust in the garage. Tile size, area dimensions, and waste factor for cuts and breakage all factor in. Our tile calculator converts your project area and tile size into an exact piece count with a configurable waste allowance, plus total cost.
The Formula Behind This Calculator
Area = Length * Width Tiles = Area / Tile area * 1.15 (waste) Cost = Tiles / Per box * Box price
Understanding the math helps you verify results and make better decisions for your project.
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How to Use
- 1Enter area length and width in feet.
- 2Enter tile size in square inches (144 for 12*12, 288 for 12*24).
- 3Set waste factor (10% standard, 15% for diagonal patterns).
- 4Enter price per tile.
- 5Click Calculate for total tiles and cost.
When to Use
- →Ordering tile for a bathroom floor, kitchen backsplash, or living room before the style sells out
- →Comparing costs between different tile sizes and materials for the same project area
- →Making sure you buy enough tile in one batch to avoid dye-lot mismatches on reorder
Tips
- ✓Buy 10-15% extra — broken tiles during cutting are common and exact matches may be unavailable later
- ✓Natural stone tiles vary more in size than ceramic; increase waste factor to 15-20% for stone
- ✓Check the tile's PEI rating for floor applications — walls can use any tile but floors need PEI 3 or higher
FAQ
How much tile waste should I plan for?
10% for straight lay, 15% for diagonal or herringbone, 20% for natural stone with more cutting breakage.
How to calculate tile size in square inches?
Width × height in inches. A 12×24 tile = 288 sq in. A 4×12 subway tile = 48 sq in.
How much thinset and grout do I need?
A 50-lb bag of thinset covers about 40-50 sq ft. A 25-lb bag of grout covers approximately 150-200 sq ft depending on joint width.
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