Tile Calculator
Estimate tile quantity in square feet, pieces, and boxes for floors, walls, backsplashes, and showers.
Some links on this page are affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate, CalcShed earns from qualifying purchases.
Your Tile Estimate
- Measure the area - length and width for floors; length and height for walls/backsplashes.
- Select tile size - choose from common tile dimensions. Coverage per tile is calculated automatically.
- Set waste factor - 10% for straight lay, 15% for diagonal, 20%+ for complex patterns.
- Review tile count - always round up. Buy extra from the same lot for future repairs.
- Account for grout lines - this calculator includes tile-to-tile. Grout lines have minimal impact on count.
A 12 x 12 inch tile covers exactly one square foot, so a 10 x 10 ft room (100 sq ft) needs about 100 tiles plus 10% waste, or roughly 110. Smaller tiles take more: a 6 x 6 covers a quarter square foot, so 4 per square foot. To estimate any job, divide your area by the tile size and add waste - 10% for a straight grid, 15% for diagonal, up to 20% for herringbone - then round up to full boxes. Enter your area and tile size above for the exact count.
Setting the tile yourself?
A leveling system keeps tiles flush and lippage-free while the thinset cures.
Tile leveling kit on AmazonHow Many Tiles Fit in One Square Foot
How Many Tiles in a Square Foot
This is the number people forget: tiles per square foot depends only on tile size. Multiply it by your area to get a quick tile count before waste.
| Tile Size | Tiles per sq ft | Coverage per Tile |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 4 in | 9 | 0.11 ft2 |
| 6 x 6 in | 4 | 0.25 ft2 |
| 9 x 9 in | 1.78 | 0.56 ft2 |
| 12 x 12 in | 1 | 1.0 ft2 |
| 12 x 24 in | 0.5 | 2.0 ft2 |
| 18 x 18 in | 0.44 | 2.25 ft2 |
| 24 x 24 in | 0.25 | 4.0 ft2 |
Tile Size Selection Guide
Tile size affects both aesthetics and installation complexity:
| Tile Size | ft² per Tile | Best For | Grout Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6×6 in | 0.25 | Backsplashes, accents, small spaces | Many - more cleaning |
| 12×12 in | 1.00 | Standard floors, walls - most versatile | Moderate |
| 12×24 in | 2.00 | Modern floors, showers - elongates rooms | Fewer lines |
| 18×18 in | 2.25 | Open floor plans - fewer grout lines | Fewer lines |
| 24×24 in | 4.00 | Large rooms, commercial - requires flat substrate | Minimal |
Larger tiles look better in large rooms and have fewer grout lines to clean. But they require a very flat substrate - any lippage (uneven edges) is more visible. Floors must be within 1/8" over 10 feet for tiles over 15 inches.
Tile Count by Room and Size
| Room | Area | 12×12 Tiles | 18×18 Tiles | 12×24 Tiles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bath (5×8 ft) | 40 ft² | 44 | 20 | 22 |
| Bathroom (8×10 ft) | 80 ft² | 88 | 40 | 44 |
| Kitchen floor (10×14 ft) | 140 ft² | 154 | 69 | 77 |
| Backsplash (10×1.5 ft) | 15 ft² | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| Master bath (12×16 ft) | 192 ft² | 212 | 94 | 106 |
Includes 10% waste. Diagonal or herringbone patterns require 15-25% more tiles.
How Much Extra Tile to Buy (Waste by Pattern)
Order more than the bare area so cuts, breakage, and future repairs are covered. How much extra depends on the layout pattern:
| Layout | Waste to Add | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight grid | 10% | Cuts only at walls and obstacles |
| Running bond / offset | 10-12% | Like a brick wall; a few more cuts |
| Diagonal | 15% | Every edge tile is cut at an angle |
| Herringbone | 15-20% | Angled cuts at every wall and border |
| Mosaic / intricate | 20%+ | Many small cuts and offcuts |
Formulas
Area divided by tile size:
With waste = Area × (1 + Waste %)
Tiles needed = Total area ÷ Tile area (rounded up)
Boxes = Tiles ÷ Tiles per box
Grout joints are small enough (1/16" to 3/16") that they don't significantly affect the tile count. This calculator gives you accurate results without needing to factor in grout width.
Worked Examples
Bathroom floor, 12 x 12 tile. An 8 x 10 ft bathroom is 80 sq ft. A 12 x 12 tile is one square foot, so that is 80 tiles, plus 10% waste = 88 tiles. If tiles come 12 to a box, that is 8 boxes (88 / 12 = 7.3, round up).
Kitchen floor, larger tile. A 10 x 14 ft kitchen is 140 sq ft. Using 12 x 24 tile (2 sq ft each), that is 70 tiles before waste, or 77 with 10%. Switch to a diagonal layout and you would add 15% instead, bringing it to about 81.
Backsplash, small tile. A 10 ft run, 1.5 ft tall, is 15 sq ft. In 6 x 6 tile (4 per sq ft) that is 60 tiles, plus 10% = 66. Backsplashes often use more intricate patterns, so 15% (69 tiles) is safer.
Tile Installation Cost - What to Expect
Tile cost has two parts: materials and labor. Material cost ranges from $1.50/sq ft for basic ceramic to $25+/sq ft for premium marble. Labor adds $5-$15/sq ft depending on tile size, pattern complexity, and surface preparation. Large-format tiles (24x24 and up) cost more to install because they require a perfectly flat substrate - any subfloor flex causes cracking.
Prep is often the biggest line item: removing old tile, leveling a floor, or adding cement board can add $2 to $5 per sq ft before any tile is set. For a rough installed estimate, measure your area above, then add tile cost plus about $7 to $12 per sq ft for professional installation.
Related Calculators
Add 10-15% waste for tile cuts and pattern matching. Browse the surface calculator collection.