Tile Calculator
Estimate the exact number of tiles and boxes needed for your flooring or wall project with the Tile Calculator. Enter your area dimensions and tile size to calculate material requirements including a waste allowance for cuts and breakage. Useful for bathroom renovations, kitchen backsplashes, and full room flooring projects.
This calculator provides estimates only. Actual tile requirements may vary based on installation patterns, room shape, and cut requirements. Verify quantities with your tile supplier before purchasing.
How This Calculator Works
- Enter the length and width of the area you want to tile (floor or wall).
- Input your tile dimensions and set a waste factor for cuts and breakage.
- Specify how many tiles come in each box to calculate box requirements.
- Click Calculate to see the total area, tiles needed, and boxes to purchase.
How Tile Quantity Is Calculated
The Tile Calculator determines material needs by calculating the total surface area and dividing it by the area of a single tile. A waste factor is then applied to account for cuts, breaks, and pattern matching during installation.
Tiles Needed = ceil((Area ÷ Tile Area) × (1 + Waste%))
Where:
- Area = Length × Width of surface (in square feet or square meters)
- Tile Area = Tile Length × Tile Width (converted to matching units)
- Waste% = Extra percentage for cuts and breakage
- ceil = Round up to the next whole number
The calculation converts all measurements to consistent units before computing. For Imperial measurements, inches are converted to square feet (dividing by 144). For Metric, centimeters are converted to square meters (dividing by 10,000). This ensures accurate division regardless of input units.
The ceiling function (rounding up) is essential because tiles cannot be purchased as fractions. Even if the calculation shows 15.1 tiles needed, you must purchase 16 tiles to complete the project.
What Your Results Mean
The calculator provides three key estimates to help you purchase the right amount of materials for your tiling project.
| Result | Description | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Total Area | The surface area to be covered | Use this to estimate grout and adhesive needs |
| Tiles Needed | Individual tiles including waste | Always rounded up to ensure coverage |
| Boxes Needed | Boxes to purchase from supplier | Based on tiles per box from packaging |
For standard rectangular rooms: A 10% waste factor is typically sufficient. The calculation accounts for minor cuts around edges and occasional tile breakage during handling.
For diagonal or pattern installations: Consider increasing the waste factor to 15-20%. Diagonal patterns and complex layouts require more cuts, resulting in more waste material.
For irregularly shaped rooms: Break the area into rectangular sections and calculate each separately. Add the results together for a more accurate estimate, as L-shaped rooms may require additional cuts at corners.
Important
Tile sizes on packaging are nominal dimensions. Actual tile sizes may vary slightly by manufacturer. Always verify the exact tile dimensions before finalizing your purchase quantity.
Consider purchasing one extra box beyond the calculated requirement for future repairs. Having matching tiles available can be valuable if tiles become damaged years after installation.
References
- National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) - Installation Guidelines
- Tile Council of North America (TCNA) - Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation
- Ceramic Tile Education Foundation - Material Estimation Standards
Calculation logic verified using publicly available standards.
View our Accuracy & Reliability Framework →