Tile Calculator
Adjust the inputs below. Results update as you type.
How it works
Tiles needed = room area / tile area. Standard waste: 10% for straight lay; 15% for diagonal; 20% for intricate patterns or non-square rooms. Tile area = (tile size + grout gap)². Buy full boxes, not individual tiles, to match dye lots. For large-format tiles (24×24+), check floor flatness—lippage becomes visible with deflection >1/8 inch in 10 feet. Add 5 extra tiles for future repairs.
Input guidance
- Confirm date/time/unit settings before comparing outputs.
- If a task has optional fields, run both with and without them to understand impact.
- Save scenario variants when making practical decisions.
The formula
Tiles needed = area to cover ÷ area of one tile, plus waste. Convert tile dimensions to the same units as the surface before dividing.
Worked example
A 120 sq ft floor with 1 sq ft tiles needs 120 tiles; adding 10% waste means buying about 132.
More examples to test
- Quick-pass example: run default assumptions for a first estimate.
- Refined example: update one assumption at a time to isolate impact.
How to interpret results
Use outputs as operational estimates and pair them with local constraints, business rules, or provider requirements.
When this can be inaccurate
Utilities can miss local policy details, special-case rules, and environment-specific constraints.
Change history
- July 2026: Quality-reviewed for publication with formula checks and explanatory copy updates.
Site-wide corrections also appear on the corrections log.
Find productivity tools for everyday workflows
General recommendation, not professional advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles do I need?+
Divide the surface area by the area of one tile, then add 10–15% for cuts, breakage, and future repairs.
Why add extra tiles?+
Cutting around edges, breakage, and pattern matching waste material. Keeping spares also helps if a tile cracks later.
Does grout spacing matter?+
Slightly. Wider grout lines mean marginally fewer tiles, but most estimates ignore the small effect and rely on the waste margin.
Why are outputs slightly different from another tool?+
Different tools can use different rounding rules, default assumptions, and treatment of edge cases.
How can I improve estimate reliability?+
Use verified inputs from real records and re-run calculations after major assumption changes.
Guided next steps
Want the full workflow? Use this calculator inside a step-by-step guide.