How many tiles do I need?

Multiply room length by width to get floor area. Divide by single tile area (length × width). Add waste allowance (typically 10-15%) to account for cuts and breakage.

What waste allowance should I use?

Use 10% for simple rectangular rooms, 15-20% for rooms with multiple angles or fixtures, and 20% or more for complex layouts with significant cutting.

How do I account for grout lines?

Grout lines are typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch and usually included in nominal tile dimensions. If your tiles have larger grout spacing, account for slightly less usable floor area.

Tile Calculator

Calculate the number of floor tiles needed for your project. Enter room dimensions, tile size, and waste allowance for accurate estimates.

Enter room dimensions and tile size to calculate the exact number of tiles needed for your project.

Tile estimationMaterial planningFlooring project

Room Length (inches)

Room Width (inches)

Tile Length (inches)

Tile Width (inches)

Waste Allowance (%)

Formula

Floor Area = Room Length × Room Width | Tile Area = Tile Length × Tile Width | Tiles Needed = ceil(Floor Area ÷ Tile Area) | Total = Tiles Needed × (1 + Waste%)

Calculate the total floor area and divide by individual tile area to determine base quantity. Add waste allowance to account for cuts, breakage, and layout adjustments.

Worked Example

12 ft × 12 ft room with 12" × 12" tiles and 10% waste.

Convert to inches: 144 in × 144 in = 20,736 sq in floor area

Tile area = 12 × 12 = 144 sq in per tile

Tiles needed = 20,736 ÷ 144 = 144 tiles

With 10% waste = 144 × 1.10 = 158.4, round up to 159 tiles

Order 159 tiles to account for the standard 10% waste factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to use this calculator

→Planning a tile flooring project and estimating tile quantity
→Getting quotes from tile suppliers with accurate counts
→Budgeting for tile materials with appropriate waste factor
→Comparing costs across different tile sizes and styles

Common tile sizes reference

12" × 12"

1.00 sq ft • Most common, versatile

12" × 24"

2.00 sq ft • Plank-style appearance

16" × 16"

1.78 sq ft • Fewer grout lines

18" × 18"

2.25 sq ft • Large format

24" × 24"

4.00 sq ft • Large format, modern

6" × 6"

0.25 sq ft • Small, detailed layouts

Related calculators

Area CalculatorCalculate room or floor area Square Footage CalculatorEstimate total square footage Flooring CalculatorEstimate flooring material boxes needed Volume CalculatorCalculate volume for materials

Important Note

These are estimates for planning. Actual material needs may vary due to site conditions, cuts, and waste. Verify quantities with your contractor or supplier before ordering.