Tile Calculator
Calculate how many tiles you need — enter your area and tile size to get the tile count and number of boxes, with a waste allowance for cuts and breakage.
United States — national average · 2026 prices
Material only unless stated as installed. Excludes tax, permits and local labour. Verify with local suppliers — see how we calculate.
How this calculator works
Every figure above comes from the formula below, applied to the assumptions listed. Nothing is looked up from a hidden table — you can reproduce the result by hand.
Formula
adjusted area = area × (1 + waste ÷ 100)
tiles per sq ft = 144 ÷ (tile width × tile height, in inches)
tiles = adjusted area × tiles per sq ft, rounded up
boxes = adjusted area ÷ box coverage, rounded up
thinset = adjusted area ÷ 95 sq ft per bag · grout = adjusted area ÷ 200 sq ft per bag
Assumptions & limits
- Tiles per square foot come from the nominal tile size and ignore grout joints, which makes the count very slightly conservative — in the right direction for buying.
- Thinset is estimated at one 50 lb bag per 95 sq ft and grout at one bag per 200 sq ft. Both depend heavily on trowel notch size, tile size and joint width — large-format tile and wide joints use considerably more.
- Default waste is 10%. Use about 10% for a straight lay, 15% for diagonal or herringbone, and more for a room with many cuts and niches.
- Costs assume $32 per box of tile, $18 per bag of thinset and $20 per bag of grout.
- Buy the full quantity including waste in one batch. Tile shade varies between production runs, so a later top-up may not match.
- This counts tile and setting materials. It does not cover substrate preparation, backer board, waterproofing membrane or movement joints — TCNA methods govern those, and they decide whether the installation lasts.
Worked example
A 10 ft × 8 ft floor in 12 × 12 in tile, boxes covering 10 sq ft, 10% waste
- Area = 80 sq ft · adjusted = 80 × 1.10 = 88 sq ft
- Tiles per sq ft = 144 ÷ 144 = 1.0 · tiles = 88 × 1.0 = 88 tiles
- Boxes = 88 ÷ 10 = 8.8 → 9 boxes
- Thinset = ⌈88 ÷ 95⌉ = 1 bag · grout = ⌈88 ÷ 200⌉ = 1 bag
Result:88 tiles in 9 boxes, plus one bag each of thinset and grout — roughly $228 to $587.
Built and maintained by Christoph Ballmer, Honeygoat GmbH
Method and constants last checked against the calculator code on August 17, 2026. Independent trade review is not yet in place for this calculator — see how we handle review.
Read the site-wide calculation methodology · estimate vs. quote and safety limits
How to calculate how many tiles you need
Every tile estimate comes down to three numbers: the area you are covering, the size of one tile, and a waste allowance for cuts and breakage. Find the area in square feet, divide by the area of a single tile to get the raw count, then add a waste percentage so you finish the job with tile to spare. The calculator above does all of this for any tile size and converts the result into boxes and an estimated cost.
tiles = area (sq ft) ÷ (tile width × tile height ÷ 144) × (1 + waste %)
The ÷ 144 converts a tile measured in inches into square feet (there are 144 square inches in a square foot). For oddly shaped rooms, measure each rectangle separately and add the areas together before you divide.
Step by step
- 1. Measure the area. Multiply length × width in feet for a floor, or perimeter × height for a wall. For a small backsplash measured in inches, multiply length × width and divide by 144.
- 2. Find the area of one tile. Tile width × height in inches, divided by 144. A 12 × 12 in tile is 1.0 sq ft; a 6 × 6 in tile is 0.25 sq ft.
- 3. Divide and round up. Area ÷ tile area gives the bare count. Always round up to a whole tile.
- 4. Add waste. Multiply by 1.10 for a standard straight layout, more for diagonal or patterned work (see the table below).
Worked example
Say you are tiling a bathroom floor that is 8 ft × 10 ft = 80 sq ft with 12 × 12 in tiles in a straight layout.
- Area of one tile: 12 × 12 ÷ 144 = 1.0 sq ft
- Raw count: 80 ÷ 1.0 = 80 tiles
- Add 10% waste: 80 × 1.10 = 88 tiles
- At ~15 sq ft per box, that is 88 ÷ 15 ≈ 6 boxes
Switch to a diagonal layout and the waste jumps to 15%, giving 80 × 1.15 = 92 tiles — proof that the pattern, not just the room size, drives how much you buy.
Tiles per 100 square feet by size
A quick reference for the most common tile sizes. To get your own count, multiply the per-100-sq-ft figure by your area in hundreds of square feet, then add waste.
| Tile size | Tiles per sq ft | Tiles per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 in | 9 | 900 |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 | 400 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 | 100 |
| 12 × 24 in | 0.5 | 50 |
| 18 × 18 in | 0.44 | 44 |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 | 25 |
Figures exclude grout joints, which slightly reduce the tile count on tight, large-format layouts.
How much extra tile to buy: waste factor by pattern
The layout decides how many cuts you make, and cuts are where tile gets wasted. A simple grid wastes little; a herringbone or diagonal pattern wastes far more because almost every perimeter tile is cut on an angle. Natural stone also needs a bigger cushion because more pieces arrive cracked or with shade variation you will cull. These ranges line up with what tile suppliers and installers recommend.
| Layout / material | Waste to add |
|---|---|
| Straight (grid) ceramic or porcelain | 10% |
| Rectangular / offset (running bond) | 10–12% |
| Natural stone (any layout) | 15% |
| Diagonal (45°) | 15% |
| Herringbone or Versailles pattern | 15–20% |
| Room with many jogs, corners or fixtures | +5% on top |
Buy all your tile from the same batch (dye lot) in one order — shade can drift between production runs, and a box bought weeks later may not match. The extra tile also becomes your attic stock for future repairs, since discontinued lines are impossible to match.
Don't forget grout, thinset and backer board
The tile count is only part of the shopping list. Three materials go under and between the tiles:
- Thinset mortar bonds tile to the substrate. Coverage depends on trowel size: with a 1/4 in square-notch trowel a 50 lb bag covers roughly 50–55 sq ft, but a 1/2 in trowel for large-format tile covers only about 30–35 sq ft because the deeper notches lay down more mortar (per industry coverage guides such as The Tile Shop). Back-buttering large tiles uses 15–20% more.
- Grout fills the joints. Use unsanded grout for joints up to 1/8 in and sanded grout for wider joints — the wrong one cracks or won't pack. Deep or rounded tiles use 2–4× more grout than flat tiles.
- Backer board (cement board) gives a stable, water-resistant base on floors and wet walls. It is sold in 3 × 5 ft sheets in 1/4 in and 1/2 in thicknesses.
Never butt tiles tight against each other — even rectified tile needs a small joint so the surface can move without cracking.
Tile cost: material and installed (2026 estimates)
Tile price varies widely by material, and installation usually costs more than the tile itself. The ranges below are typical 2026 US figures for budgeting; your local quote will vary by region, tile grade and job complexity.
| Material | Tile only (per sq ft) | Installed (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $1–$8 | $7–$15 |
| Porcelain (standard) | $4–$14 | $9–$20 |
| Porcelain (large format / wood-look) | $5–$15 | $12–$25 |
| Natural stone (marble, slate) | $7–$25 | $15–$40 |
| Glass / mosaic | $12–$35 | $25–$75 |
Add-ons that raise the bill: labor runs about $5–$22 per sq ft (most flat ceramic/porcelain jobs land $7–$15); complex patterns like herringbone or diagonal add roughly 15–25% to labor; subfloor leveling adds $2–$5 per sq ft; and tearing out old tile adds about $3–$7 per sq ft including disposal. To price the whole room rather than just the tile, use the flooring calculator for box counts on plank products.
Cost figures are estimates and vary by region and over time; get a local quote for 2026 pricing.
Common mistakes
- Buying exactly what you measured. Skipping waste means a second trip — and possibly a mismatched dye lot — when you run short on the last row.
- Forgetting to subtract big openings but not cuts. Subtract large fixtures (a tub, a vanity footprint) from the area, but still keep full waste for the cuts around them.
- Mixing grout types. Sanded grout in a 1/16 in joint leaves voids; unsanded grout in a 3/8 in joint cracks out.
- Ignoring the substrate. No backer board or uneven subfloor leads to cracked tile and lippage no amount of extra tile fixes.
- Pricing tile but not the rest. Thinset, grout, spacers, trim and backer board often add 20–30% to the material bill.
When to hire a pro
A straight-lay floor or a simple backsplash in a square room is a realistic weekend DIY job if you can rent a wet saw and work patiently. Lean toward a pro tile setter when the job involves a shower or steam enclosure (waterproofing failures are expensive and hidden), large-format or natural-stone tile (heavy, unforgiving of an uneven substrate), herringbone, diagonal or other cut-heavy patterns, or a floor that needs leveling. The calculator gives you the quantity and a ballpark cost so you can compare a DIY material bill against an installed quote with confidence.
For related surfaces, see the flooring calculator, paint calculator and drywall calculator.
These figures are estimates only — tile, grout and thinset coverage vary by product, and labor and material prices vary by region and over time. Verify quantities and pricing with a local pro or your tile supplier before you order.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes of tile do I need?
Tile is sold by the box, and each box is labeled with the square footage it covers — commonly 10 to 15 sq ft. Take your tiled area, add the waste allowance, then divide by the coverage per box and round up. For example, 88 sq ft of tile at 15 sq ft per box is 88 ÷ 15 ≈ 6 boxes. Enter your box coverage in the calculator above and it converts the tile count into whole boxes automatically.
What is the difference between wall tile and floor tile?
Floor tile is rated for foot traffic and is harder, thicker and more slip-resistant; wall tile can be lighter and more decorative because it only has to hold itself up. You can usually put a floor-rated tile on a wall, but you should not put a lightweight wall tile on a floor — check the manufacturer's PEI wear rating and slip rating. For a tub surround or shower wall, also confirm the tile and grout are suitable for wet areas.
How much extra tile should I keep as attic stock?
Keep at least one full box, or about 5–10% of the job, after installation. Tile lines are discontinued constantly and dye lots shift between production runs, so a cracked tile years later is nearly impossible to match. The waste you buy up front does double duty: it covers cuts during the install and leaves you a small repair stash from the exact same batch.
Is tiling a floor a DIY job or should I hire someone?
A straight-lay floor in a square room is a doable DIY project if you rent a wet saw, prep the substrate properly and work in small sections. Hire a professional for showers and other wet areas where waterproofing matters, for large-format or natural-stone tile, for herringbone or diagonal patterns with many angled cuts, or for any floor that needs leveling first. Use the calculator to compare your DIY material cost against an installed quote.
How many tiles do I need?
Divide the area you are tiling by the area of one tile, then add a waste allowance for cuts and breakage. The calculator above takes your space dimensions and tile size, works out the tiles per square foot, and rounds up including waste — and converts it to boxes.
How much extra tile should I buy for waste?
Add about 10% extra for a standard straight layout, and 15–20% for a diagonal or herringbone pattern, or for a room with lots of cuts around fixtures. Buying from the same batch up front also avoids shade differences later. The calculator defaults to 10%.
How do I calculate tiles per square foot?
Multiply the tile’s width and height in inches and divide 144 by the result. A 12×12 inch tile is exactly 1 per square foot; a 6×6 inch tile is 4 per square foot; a 4×4 inch tile is 9 per square foot. The calculator does this for any tile size.
How many tiles come in a box?
It varies by tile size — a box is usually sold by the square footage it covers, commonly around 10–15 square feet. Enter your box coverage above and the calculator converts the tile count into the number of boxes to buy.
How much tile do I need for a 10x10 room?
A 10x10 room is 100 square feet; with 10% waste you plan for 110. In 12x12 in tile that is 110 tiles - 11 boxes at 10 sq ft per box. Larger 18x18 in tiles take about 49; small 3x6 in subway tile takes roughly 880. Buy the full amount in one batch, because tile shade shifts between production runs and a later top-up may not match.