Why use this calculator
Accurately estimating tile quantities prevents costly over-ordering or frustrating mid-project shortages. Tiles from different production batches can vary in shade and size, making it important to purchase all tiles at once. This calculator factors in wastage from cuts, breakage, and pattern matching to give you a reliable quantity estimate before you buy.
How to use it
Select your preferred unit system, then measure your area's length and width and select your tile size. Set a wastage percentage to account for cuts and breakage — 10% is standard for straightforward layouts, while diagonal patterns or complex rooms may need 15-20%. In imperial mode, enter dimensions in feet with tile sizes in inches. In metric mode, enter dimensions in metres with tile sizes in centimetres.
The formula
Total Area = Length x Width. Tiles Needed = Total Area / Tile Area. Tiles with Wastage = Tiles Needed x (1 + Wastage%). Boxes Needed = Tiles with Wastage / 10 (rounded up). Imperial tile areas: 6x6 = 0.25 sq ft, 12x12 = 1 sq ft, 18x18 = 2.25 sq ft, 24x24 = 4 sq ft. Metric tile areas: 15x15 = 0.0225 sq m, 30x30 = 0.09 sq m, 45x45 = 0.2025 sq m, 60x60 = 0.36 sq m.
Worked examples
12 ft x 10 ft room with 12x12 inch tiles and 10% wastage
132 tiles needed (120 + 12 waste), 14 boxes
8 ft x 6 ft bathroom with 6x6 inch tiles and 15% wastage
Approximately 222 tiles needed, 23 boxes
When people use it
- Estimating materials for kitchen or bathroom floor tiling
- Planning a tile backsplash installation
- Budgeting for a commercial flooring project
- Ordering the right quantity of tiles for a patio or outdoor area
Tips
- Always order at least 10% extra for cuts and breakage; increase to 15-20% for diagonal layouts or rooms with many corners
- Keep leftover tiles for future repairs — matching tiles from a later production run may not be identical in color
- Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines and a cleaner look, but require a flatter substrate and generate more waste on cuts
- Measure each wall or section separately for L-shaped or irregular rooms and add them together
Questions people ask
- How much wastage should I plan for?
- For a standard rectangular room with a straight layout, 10% is sufficient. For diagonal patterns, add 15%. For complex rooms with many cuts (around toilets, cabinets, or irregular walls), use 20%. Very large format tiles in small rooms also require more waste allowance.
- How many tiles come in a box?
- This varies by manufacturer and tile size. This calculator assumes 10 tiles per box as a common average. Check with your supplier for the actual count per box and adjust your order accordingly.
- Should I include the area under cabinets?
- Generally no. If cabinets are already installed or will be installed before tiling, exclude that area from your measurements. However, some homeowners prefer to tile under cabinets for future flexibility.