Tile Calculator
Calculate tile requirements and costs for flooring projects. Estimate the number of tiles needed, include waste allowance, and plan your total project budget.
How to Calculate Tile Requirements
Accurate tile calculations help you order the right quantity of materials and avoid costly delays or returns. Here's how to estimate your tile needs:
Step 1: Measure Room Area
Calculate the total square footage to be tiled:
- For a 10' x 12' bathroom: 10 x 12 = 120 square feet
- For irregular rooms, break into sections and add areas
- Subtract areas for permanent fixtures and openings
- Measure walls separately if tiling walls and floors
Step 2: Calculate Tile Area
Determine the area each tile covers:
- 12" x 12" tile: 144 square inches = 1 square foot
- 6" x 6" tile: 36 square inches = 0.25 square feet
- 18" x 18" tile: 324 square inches = 2.25 square feet
- Formula: (Length x Width) / 144 = square feet per tile
Step 3: Add Waste Factor
Include extra tiles for cuts and future repairs:
- Simple layouts: 5-10% waste (120 sq ft x 1.10 = 132 sq ft)
- Diagonal installations: 15% waste
- Complex patterns: 20% waste
- Always round up to whole tiles
Step 4: Calculate Total Cost
Include all project costs:
- Tiles: 132 sq ft x $4/sq ft = $528
- Grout: 120 sq ft x $0.50/sq ft = $60
- Thinset adhesive: 120 sq ft x $0.75/sq ft = $90
- Total materials: $528 + $60 + $90 = $678
Cite this page as:
Daniel, P. Tile Calculator. Available at: https://constructioncalculators.com/tile-calculator/. Accessed: October 25, 2026.