Tile Calculator
A tile calculator works out how many tiles you need by dividing the area you are covering by the area of one tile, then adding a waste allowance for cuts and breakage. Enter your floor or wall area and your tile size below to get the tile count, boxes needed and waste.
tile area from tile_length x tile_width (inches); waste default 10 percent; box coverage user-set.
- Area
- 0 sq ft
- Tile size
- 0 x 0 in
Enter your area and tile size to see how many tiles you need.
Estimate only. Material yields vary by product and brand; check your product label and add a margin.
How Do You Calculate How Many Tiles You Need?
To calculate tiles, find the area you are covering (length times width) and divide by the area of one tile. A 12 by 12 inch tile covers 1 square foot, so a 120 square foot floor needs 120 tiles before waste. Add 10 percent for cuts and breakage, giving about 132 tiles. The calculator handles any tile size and converts to boxes based on the coverage printed on the box.
How Much Waste Should You Add for Tile?
Add 10 percent waste for a standard straight layout, and 15 percent or more for diagonal or herringbone patterns, which produce more cut pieces. Larger rooms with simple layouts waste less, while small intricate areas waste more. The waste allowance covers breakage, cuts at edges, and future repairs, so it is a real need, not padding. The calculator lets you set the percentage.
How Many Tiles Are in a Box?
Box counts vary by tile size, so the box lists its total coverage in square feet rather than a fixed tile count. To find boxes, divide your total area plus waste by the coverage per box. Because partial boxes are rounded up, buying by the box usually leaves a small surplus, which is useful for future repairs. Enter the box coverage from your product for an exact box count.
Calculators in this family
Frequently asked questions
- How many tiles do I need for a 10x12 room?
- A 10 by 12 foot room is 120 square feet. With 12 by 12 inch tiles and 10 percent waste, that is about 132 tiles. Larger tiles need fewer pieces for the same area.
- How much extra tile should I buy?
- Add 10 percent for straight layouts and 15 percent or more for diagonal or herringbone patterns, to cover cuts, breakage and future repairs.
- How do I figure out how many boxes of tile?
- Divide your total area plus waste by the coverage per box printed on the box. Partial boxes round up, leaving a small surplus for repairs.