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Tile Calculator

Calculate tile quantity and grout needed for floors and walls.

Space
⬜ Rectangle
📐 L-Shape
✥ Custom
ft
in
ft
in
Areas 0 sq ft
Materials
Pricing & Waste
Review
Estimated Total
$0.00
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Boxes
0
Tiles
0
Sq Ft
Grid Preview
Center
Corner
📋 Shopping List

HOW TO USE

01

Define Area

Select "Rectangle", "L-Shape", or "Custom". Enter accurate dimensions for your floors or walls to determine the precise project area.

02

Select Materials

Choose your tile size, grout joint width, and layout pattern. Our logic adjusts for the extra waste required for complex designs.

03

Shopping List

Review your estimated totals for tiles, grout, and thinset. Always factor in a 10-15% safety margin for cuts and future repairs.

How to Use This Calculator

1

Enter Surface Area

Input the length and width of the area to be tiled, or enter total square footage directly for irregular spaces.

2

Set Tile Size and Layout

Choose the tile dimensions and layout pattern. Herringbone and diagonal patterns require more cuts and higher waste.

3

Review Material List

See the number of tiles, boxes, adhesive quantity, and grout needed, with waste factor included.

Formula & Methodology

Tiles Needed

Tiles = ⌈Area / Tile Area⌉ × (1 + Waste Factor)

Divide the surface area by the area of a single tile, then add waste for cuts and breakage.

Grout Volume

Grout = Area × Joint Width × Tile Thickness / Tile Area

Grout requirements increase with wider joints and thicker tiles.

About this calculation · Accuracy & Methodology

Key Terms

Waste Factor
Extra tiles to account for cuts, breakage, and future repairs. Standard is 10%, but use 15% for diagonal and mosaic patterns.
Grout Joint
The gap between tiles filled with grout. Typical widths are 1/16 inch for rectified tiles and 1/8 to 3/16 inch for standard tiles.
Thinset
A cement-based adhesive used to bond tiles to the substrate. Coverage is about 50-70 sq ft per 50-lb bag depending on trowel notch size.
Rectified Tile
Tiles mechanically ground to precise dimensions after firing, allowing very tight grout joints as narrow as 1/16 inch.
Backer Board
Cement-based panels (HardieBacker, Durock) installed over subfloors or studs to provide a stable, moisture-resistant substrate for tiling.

Real-World Examples

Example 1

Bathroom Floor

Area: 8ft × 6ft = 48 sq ft, Tile: 12in × 12in, Waste: 10%

Result: 48 × 1.10 = 52.8 tiles. Purchase 53 tiles (or 6 boxes of 10). Need approximately 12 lbs of grout and one 50-lb bag of thinset.

Example 2

Kitchen Backsplash

Area: 18ft × 1.5ft = 27 sq ft, Tile: 3in × 6in (subway), Waste: 15%

Result: Each tile = 0.125 sq ft, so 27/0.125 = 216 tiles × 1.15 = 249 tiles. The extra waste covers the many cuts required around outlets and window edges.

Tile Size and Application Guide

Tile SizeCoverage/TileTypical UseGrout Joint
3″ × 6″ Subway0.125 sq ftBacksplashes, accents1/16″ - 1/8″
12″ × 12″1.00 sq ftFloors, walls1/8″ - 3/16″
12″ × 24″2.00 sq ftModern floors1/8″
24″ × 24″4.00 sq ftLarge open floors1/16″ (rectified)

Planning a Tile Installation

Layout Planning Saves Time

Before applying any adhesive, dry-lay tiles along both axes of the room. Center the layout so that cut tiles at opposite walls are equal in width and at least half a tile wide. Small slivers at the edges look unprofessional and are difficult to cut cleanly.

Choosing the Right Waste Percentage

Straight-lay patterns with large-format tiles on simple rectangular floors can get away with 10% waste. Diagonal layouts, herringbone patterns, small mosaic tiles, and rooms with many corners or obstacles should use 15-20%. Always buy all tiles from the same production lot to avoid shade variation.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1
    Measure the Area

    Enter the floor or wall dimensions in feet. For multiple areas, calculate each surface separately and sum the results.

  2. 2
    Choose Tile Size

    Enter the tile dimensions in inches. Common sizes include 12x12, 16x16, 24x24, and 3x12 subway tiles.

  3. 3
    Set Grout Joint Width

    Enter the desired grout joint spacing in inches. Rectified tiles allow joints as small as 1/16 inch; natural stone typically uses 1/8 to 3/16 inch.

  4. 4
    Add Waste Percentage

    Use 10% for simple rectangular rooms, 15% for L-shaped rooms, and 20% for diagonal or offset patterns with many cuts.

  5. 5
    Get Tile Count and Boxes

    Review the total tile count and number of boxes to purchase, along with the estimated grout and thinset quantities.

Key Formulas

Tiles NeededTiles = Area / Tile Area
With WasteOrder Qty = Tiles x (1 + Waste%)
Grout VolumeGrout = Joint Width x Perimeter x Depth
Boxes RequiredBoxes = ceiling(Tiles / Tiles per Box)

Key Terms

Grout Joint — The gap between tiles filled with grout, providing flexibility, drainage, and visual definition. Width affects both aesthetics and structural performance.
Waste Factor — Extra tiles ordered for cuts, breakage, and future repairs. 10% for straight layouts; 15-20% for diagonal or complex patterns.
Tile Coverage — The square footage one box of tiles covers, printed on the carton. Always verify before ordering.
Backer Board — A cement or fiber-cement substrate installed over studs or subfloor, providing a stable, moisture-resistant base for tile adhesion.
Thinset — Cementitious tile adhesive mixed with water (or latex additive) used to bond tiles to the substrate. Type S is standard; large-format tiles need medium-bed mortar.
Lippage — A height difference between adjacent tile edges. Larger tiles and imperfect substrates are prone to lippage; rectified tiles and large-format mortar reduce it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much extra waste do I need for a diagonal tile layout?

Diagonal (45 degree) tile layouts require at least 15-20% waste because the angled cuts along all four walls generate large triangular offcuts that cannot be reused. For complex patterns like herringbone or Versailles, budget 20-25% to be safe.

What is the difference between rectified and non-rectified tile?

Rectified tiles are precision-cut to exact dimensions after firing, allowing grout joints as narrow as 1/16 inch for a minimal-grout look. Non-rectified (pressed) tiles have slight size variations and require wider joints (1/8 to 3/16 inch) to accommodate the irregularities. Rectified tiles cost more but produce cleaner, more precise layouts.

How do I choose the right grout color?

Matching grout color to the tile minimizes the visual joint and makes the floor look like one continuous surface -- ideal for large-format tiles. Contrasting grout emphasizes the tile pattern and is popular for subway tiles. Neutral grays are the safest choice as they hide dirt better than white and don't clash with most tile colors.

Does grout need to be sealed?

Cement-based grout is porous and absorbs stains if left unsealed in kitchens, bathrooms, and other wet areas. Apply penetrating grout sealer 72 hours after grouting and reseal every 1-2 years. Epoxy grout is non-porous and does not require sealing, but it is more expensive and harder to apply.