Tile Calculator

Free online tile calculator for floors, walls, and backsplashes. Enter your room dimensions and tile size to get the exact number of tiles needed, including waste and cost.

ft in
ft in
in
%

Recommended: 10% for floors, 15% for diagonal patterns, 20% for complex layouts

$
$/sq ft
0
tiles needed
Room Area0 sq ft
Tile Area0 sq in
Waste0%
Total Tiles (incl. waste)0

What Is a Tile Calculator?

A tile calculator helps you determine exactly how many tiles you need for a flooring, wall, or backsplash project. By entering your room dimensions and tile size, it calculates the total number of tiles required — including extra for waste, cuts, and mistakes.

Whether you're tiling a bathroom floor, a kitchen backsplash, or an entire living room, our tile estimator does the math for you in seconds. No more guessing or buying too few — or too many — tiles.

Professional tilers always add a waste factor (typically 10–20%) to account for broken tiles, awkward cuts around corners and fixtures, and future replacements. Our calculator includes this automatically.

Standard Tile Sizes

Here are the most common tile sizes and how many tiles you get per square foot:

4 × 4 in
9 tiles / sq ft
6 × 6 in
4 tiles / sq ft
8 × 8 in
2.25 tiles / sq ft
12 × 12 in
1 tile / sq ft
12 × 24 in
0.5 tiles / sq ft
18 × 18 in
0.44 tiles / sq ft
24 × 24 in
0.25 tiles / sq ft

How to Measure for Tile

Accurate measurements are essential for a successful tiling project. Follow these steps to get precise measurements:

📏

Measure Length & Width

Measure the longest and widest points of the area. For walls, measure from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. Record in feet and inches.

🔲

Break Into Sections

For L-shaped or irregular rooms, divide into smaller rectangles. Calculate each area separately, then add them together for the total.

📐

Account for Obstacles

Subtract areas for fixed cabinets, islands, or columns that won't be tiled. Measure doorways to plan transition strips.

📦

Order Extra Tiles

Always order 10-15% more tiles than calculated. This covers breakage, cutting mistakes, and future repairs. Buy from the same dye lot.

Tile Calculator Tips & Best Practices

  • Grout lines matter: Larger tiles with small grout gaps need fewer tiles. Our calculator includes grout spacing in its calculations for greater accuracy.
  • Pattern affects waste: Diagonal or herringbone patterns create more waste (15-20%) than straight lay patterns (5-10%). Adjust your waste factor accordingly.
  • Always buy extra: Even with perfect calculations, tiles can break during cutting. Store extra tiles for future repairs — tile styles get discontinued.
  • Check tile batch numbers: Tiles from different batches can have slight color variations. Order all tiles at once and verify same dye lot numbers.
  • Consider tile size: Large format tiles (24×24) make small rooms look bigger but create more waste. Smaller tiles (4×4) are easier to install in complex layouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many 12x12 tiles do I need for a 10x10 room?
A 10x10 room is 100 square feet. With 12x12 inch tiles (1 sq ft each), you need approximately 100 tiles. Adding 10% waste, order about 110 tiles or 10 boxes (if sold 10 per box).
What waste factor should I use?
10% for straight lay patterns in rectangular rooms, 15% for diagonal or offset patterns, and 20% for complex layouts with many corners, curves, or obstacles. For very large rooms with simple layouts, 5% may be sufficient.
How do I calculate tiles for a wall?
Measure the wall height and width in feet, multiply to get square footage. Use the same calculator — just enter wall dimensions instead of floor dimensions. For backsplashes, measure the area between countertops and cabinets.
Does grout width affect the number of tiles?
Yes, grout lines take up space. For large tiles (12x24), a 1/8 inch grout line has minimal impact. For small tiles (4x4), grout can reduce tile count by 2-3%. Our calculator accounts for grout gap automatically.
How many square feet does a box of tile cover?
Most tile boxes cover between 10 and 15 square feet, but this varies by tile size and manufacturer. Always check the box label for the exact coverage. Our calculator shows total tile count — divide by tiles per box to get boxes needed.
Should I buy extra tiles for future repairs?
Yes, keep at least 5-10 extra tiles stored away. If a tile cracks or stains years later, having matching tiles on hand saves you from the headache of finding discontinued styles or dye lot mismatches.
What's the best tile size for a small bathroom?
Small bathrooms (under 40 sq ft) look best with medium tiles (8x8 to 12x12). Large tiles can make a small space feel bigger, but require more cutting around fixtures. Small mosaic tiles (4x4 or 2x2) work well for shower floors.
How do I calculate tile for a diagonal pattern?
For diagonal installations, use a 15-20% waste factor instead of the standard 10%. Diagonal cutting creates more triangular offcuts that cannot be reused. The total tile count increases by about 15% compared to a straight lay pattern.