Tile Calculator: Square Feet, Tiles & Waste
Calculate how many tiles you need for floors, walls, backsplashes and other tile projects.
Enter the project dimensions or known square footage, the size of each tile and your waste allowance to estimate the number of tiles required.
If the tile is sold by the box, enter the number of tiles per box to calculate the number of full boxes to order. You can also enter the price per box to estimate material cost.
Tile sizes, package quantities and coverage can vary by manufacturer. Confirm final order quantities using the actual product packaging and your project layout.
Free Tile Calculator
Tile Calculator
Enter your project area and tile size to estimate the number of tiles and full boxes needed.
This calculator estimates tile quantities from nominal tile dimensions and project area. Actual product coverage, grout joints, layout, cuts, breakage and package quantities can affect the final order. Confirm quantities using the specific tile product and project layout before purchasing.
How Much Tile Do I Need?
Start by determining the square footage of the surface being tiled.
For a rectangular floor or wall:
Length × Width = Square Feet
For example, a floor measuring 12 feet long by 10 feet wide has an area of:
12 × 10 = 120 square feet
For projects with several separate areas, calculate each area and add them together. You can then select Enter Total Square Feet in the calculator and enter the combined area.
How Do I Calculate the Number of Tiles?
Tile dimensions are commonly listed in inches, so the calculator first converts the individual tile size into square feet.
The area of one tile is:
Tile Length × Tile Width ÷ 144 = Square Feet per Tile
For example, a 12-inch × 24-inch tile contains:
12 × 24 ÷ 144 = 2 square feet per tile
The project area can then be divided by the area of one tile to estimate the number of tiles required.
How Much Extra Tile Should I Order?
A tile installation normally requires more material than the exact measured surface area.
Extra tile may be needed for:
- Cut pieces
- Broken or damaged tiles
- Irregular walls and corners
- Doorways and openings
- Pattern alignment
- Diagonal installations
- Color or pattern selection
- Future repairs
A 10% waste allowance is a useful starting point for many straightforward tile installations, but it is not a universal rule.
Simple layouts may require less extra material, while diagonal patterns, complicated cuts or highly irregular spaces can require more. The calculator lets you adjust the percentage for the actual project.
How Many Boxes of Tile Do I Need?
If your tile is sold by the box, check the package to determine how many tiles are included in each box.
After calculating the number of individual tiles required, divide that quantity by the number of tiles per box:
Tiles Needed ÷ Tiles per Box = Boxes Needed
The calculator rounds the result up to the next whole box because a contractor generally cannot order a fraction of a sealed box.
Package quantities vary, so use the actual number of tiles contained in the specific product you're ordering.
Tile Calculator Formula
The calculator uses the following basic formulas:
Project Area:
Length × Width = Square Feet
Area per Tile:
Tile Length in Inches × Tile Width in Inches ÷ 144
Area Including Waste:
Project Area × (1 + Waste % ÷ 100)
Tiles Needed:
Area Including Waste ÷ Area per Tile
Boxes Needed:
Tiles Needed ÷ Tiles per Box
Individual tiles and boxes are rounded up to whole units when determining order quantities.
Where Can I Use the Tile Calculator?
The same basic quantity calculation can be used for many tile installations, including:
- Tile floors
- Bathroom walls
- Shower walls
- Kitchen backsplashes
- Fireplace surrounds
- Entryways
- Commercial tile floors
- Porcelain tile
- Ceramic tile
- Natural-stone tile
For walls, backsplashes and other areas with openings, calculate the surface being tiled and adjust your measurements as appropriate for the project.
Tile Calculator Example
Suppose you're installing 12-inch × 24-inch tile in a room measuring:
12 feet × 10 feet
The project area is:
12 × 10 = 120 square feet
A 12-inch × 24-inch tile covers:
12 × 24 ÷ 144 = 2 square feet
Adding 10% waste increases the estimated material area to:
120 × 1.10 = 132 square feet
Divide that by 2 square feet per tile:
132 ÷ 2 = 66 tiles
If the tile is packaged eight tiles per box:
66 ÷ 8 = 8.25 boxes
The estimated order would therefore be:
9 boxes, containing 72 tiles
Use Tile Cost to Build Your Estimate
The tile itself is only one part of a tile installation. Contractors may also need to account for labor, demolition, disposal, surface preparation, backer board or membranes, mortar or adhesive, grout, trim, delivery, equipment and other job costs.
Once you know your expected tile cost, use the Contractor Job Cost Calculator to build the rest of the job cost. Then use the Contractor Markup Calculator or Contractor Profit & Margin Calculator to check your selling price and expected profitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate how many tiles I need?
Calculate the square footage of the area being tiled, add an appropriate waste allowance, and divide that area by the square-foot area of one tile. Round the final tile quantity up to a whole tile.
How many 12 × 24 tiles do I need?
A nominal 12-inch × 24-inch tile covers approximately 2 square feet based on its nominal dimensions. Divide the project square footage, including your waste allowance, by 2 to estimate the number of tiles required.
How much extra tile should I order?
Ten percent is a useful starting point for many straightforward projects, but waste depends on the tile layout, cuts, room shape and installation pattern. Complex or diagonal layouts may require more.
Can I use this calculator for wall tile?
Yes. Enter the measured square footage of the wall area being tiled. For projects with several walls, calculate each wall and add the areas together before entering the total square footage.
Does the calculator include grout joints?
The individual tile calculation uses the nominal tile dimensions and does not separately add grout-joint width to each tile. Use the result as a material estimate and confirm final quantities against the actual tile layout and product coverage.
Does this calculate thinset or grout?
No. This calculator estimates tile quantity and optional tile cost. Mortar, thinset, adhesive and grout coverage depend on the specific product, tile size, trowel size, joint dimensions and installation conditions and should be calculated separately.