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Tile Calculator

Enter the longest dimension of the area to be tiled.

If the room isn’t rectangular, use the average width or split into multiple calculations.

Area to exclude for fixtures or no-tile zones, in square selected units.

Use the same unit as above. Example: 0.3 m for a 300 mm tile or 1 ft for a 12 in tile.

Rectangular tiles are supported. For square tiles, tile width = tile length.

Adds spacing between tiles, influencing tile count. Enter 0 to ignore.

Diagonal patterns typically require more cutting and waste.

Commonly 5–15% for straight, 10–20% for diagonal. Increase for complex rooms.

If you know how many tiles come in a box, we’ll estimate boxes to order.

Tip: Always verify coverage with your supplier’s data sheet and consider spare tiles for future repairs.

Use our Tile Calculator to quickly estimate how many tiles and boxes you need for floors or walls, with optional grout joints, patterns, and waste allowances factored in. Whether you’re tiling a bathroom, kitchen, hallway, or feature wall, accurate calculations help you order smart, avoid delays, and control costs.

How to use the Tile Calculator

  1. Select your preferred units (meters or feet) so the calculator treats all measurements consistently.
  2. Enter the room length and width. If the space isn’t perfectly rectangular, use the longest and average dimensions or run separate calculations and add the results.
  3. Optionally enter any area to exclude, such as a shower base, island footprint, or fireplace surround.
  4. Input the tile length and width. For square tiles, these will be the same. You can enter decimals, such as 0.3 m for a 300 mm tile or 1 ft for a 12" tile.
  5. Add a grout joint width if you’re tiling with spacers; this affects the grid spacing and the total tile count.
  6. Choose a layout pattern. Diagonal (45°) layouts typically need more cutting and waste than straight (grid) layouts.
  7. Set a wastage allowance. Most straight layouts use 5–15%; diagonal or complex rooms often use 10–20%.
  8. If you know how many tiles come in a box, enter that value to get a boxes estimate. Decide if you want results rounded up to whole tiles/boxes.

What the Tile Calculator computes

  • Net area to cover after subtracting any excluded zones.
  • Tile grid “cell” size, which is the tile size plus optional grout joint on both sides.
  • Base tile count for coverage, then additional tiles to account for your chosen wastage allowance.
  • Estimated number of boxes needed if you provide tiles-per-box.
  • Expected coverage from the number of tiles you plan to order.

Choosing units and converting sizes

Pick meters if you prefer metric or feet for imperial. Keep all inputs consistent. If your tile size is stated in millimeters, simply convert to meters (e.g., 300 mm = 0.3 m). For inches, convert to feet (e.g., 12 in = 1 ft). Using a single unit system prevents errors and makes the area and tile count calculations precise.

Accounting for grout joints and patterns

Grout joints slightly increase the spacing between tiles, which can change how many tiles are needed across a given area. Our Tile Calculator uses the tile size plus the grout joint width to define the effective grid cell. This is a practical way to approximate layout needs and minimize surprises on installation day. If you plan a diagonal layout, expect more offcuts and a higher wastage factor due to triangular edge pieces and more complex cuts around obstacles.

Tips to reduce waste and save money

  • Order an extra box if the tile series is likely to be discontinued; spares help with future repairs.
  • Dry-lay a few rows to confirm the grout joint and pattern before committing to cuts.
  • Increase wastage for rooms with many corners, niches, or angles, and reduce it for simple rectangular spaces.
  • Check tile caliber and shade. Mixing batches can affect layout and final appearance.
  • Verify coverage per box on the manufacturer’s datasheet; nominal dimensions sometimes differ from actual sizes.

Common scenarios

For bathrooms, consider adding a few extra tiles for future repairs due to high moisture and wear. Kitchen splashbacks often use small-format tiles with narrow grout joints; measure carefully, since even small changes in joint width can shift your count. Large-format floor tiles can reduce grout lines but may require a higher waste allowance in diagonal layouts or tight spaces. For herringbone or other specialty patterns, increase your wastage range and consult your installer, as cut complexity and alignment precision become more critical.

Why accurate estimates matter

Accurate tile counts reduce project delays and ensure consistent color and caliber across your installation. Ordering too few tiles can force you to source additional boxes from a different batch, risking shade variation. Ordering too many may overextend your budget. This Tile Calculator helps strike the right balance, giving you confidence before you buy and clarity when discussing materials with suppliers and installers.

FAQs

How does the Tile Calculator account for grout joints?

The Tile Calculator adds the grout width to tile dimensions to estimate the grid spacing and tile count.

What waste percentage should I use in the Tile Calculator?

Use 5–15% for straight layouts and 10–20% for diagonal or complex rooms; increase for many cuts.

Can the Tile Calculator estimate how many boxes I need?

Yes. Enter tiles per box and the Tile Calculator will estimate the number of boxes to order.

Does the Tile Calculator work for both floors and walls?

Yes. The Tile Calculator works for any rectangular area, including floors, walls, and splashbacks.

Will the Tile Calculator handle diagonal patterns?

Yes. Select diagonal and the Tile Calculator adds an extra waste allowance for additional cuts.

Do I enter tile size in inches or centimeters in the Tile Calculator?

Choose feet or meters first, then enter tile sizes in the same unit (e.g., 1 ft or 0.3 m).

Can I exclude areas like a tub or island in the Tile Calculator?

Yes. Use the excluded area field to subtract spaces you won’t tile from the total area.