Tile Calculator
You need your area in square feet divided by the square footage of one tile, plus a 10% waste allowance for cuts and breakage. Enter your room and tile sizes below to get the exact tiles, boxes, and cost.
How to measure for tile
Measure the room’s length and width in feet, then multiply them to get the floor area in square feet. For an L-shaped room, split it into rectangles, calculate each, and add them together with the square footage calculator. Measure walls separately — a backsplash or shower wall is its own area.
Then divide the floor area by the area of one tile. A 12×12 inch tile covers exactly 1 square foot, so a 200 sq ft floor needs 200 tiles before waste.
How much waste to add
Always order extra. Tiles crack, cuts go wrong, and dye lots change between orders. Use these allowances:
- 10% — standard grid layout, small to medium tiles
- 15% — diagonal, herringbone, or brick-bond patterns
- 20% — large-format tiles, or rooms with many corners and cuts
Tile cost
Multiply the boxes you need by the price per box. Most floor tile runs $1–$15 per square foot for the tile alone; installation adds $4–$14 per square foot. The calculator shows the tile-only cost so you can compare products before adding labor. For the underlying floor, see the flooring calculator.
Frequently asked
How many tiles do I need?
Divide the area you are tiling (in square feet) by the square footage of a single tile, then add 10% for cuts and breakage. A 100 sq ft floor with 12×12 in tiles needs about 110 tiles.
How much extra tile should I buy for waste?
Add 10% for a standard straight layout, 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns, and up to 20% for large-format tiles or rooms with many cuts.
How do I work out how many boxes of tile to buy?
Divide the total tiles needed (including waste) by the number of tiles in each box, then round up. Always buy whole boxes so you have matching dye-lot spares.
Does the calculator account for grout spacing?
Grout joints are small enough that the standard 10% waste allowance covers them. For wide joints over 1/2 inch, add a few extra percent.