Tile Calculator
Count ceramic, porcelain, or mosaic tiles needed for floors, showers, and backsplashes. Accounts for tile size, grout gaps, and waste.
Assumptions
- Tiles are laid on a flat plane with uniform grout gaps.
- Default waste is 10%; use 15% for diagonal or intricate patterns.
- Tile dimensions are nominal face size before grout.
- Does not include trim pieces, bullnose, or Schluter profiles.
- Partial tiles at edges count as full tiles in the rounded-up total.
Effective tile area = (tile length + gap) × (tile width + gap). Tiles needed = ceil(floor area with waste ÷ effective tile area).10 × 8 ft floor, 12 × 12 in tiles
- Area = 80 ft² = 11,520 in². Each 12×12 tile = 144 in². Base tiles = 80. With 10% waste = 88 tiles → order 88 (or full boxes per your supplier).
How to measure
Measure the tile area length and width. For backsplashes, measure wall length and height to the cabinet line. Note tile size printed on the box.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring grout joint width on small-format tile (adds up over hundreds of tiles).
- Using net area without waste — cuts around toilets and doorways need extras.
- Mixing up inches and centimeters on imported tile labels.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra for a diagonal layout?
Add 15% waste minimum. Diagonal cuts consume more tile at the perimeter.
Do I need trim tile?
This counts field tile only. Measure linear feet of exposed edges for bullnose or pencil trim separately.
Large format tile waste?
Large tiles have fewer cuts but break more often — 10–12% waste is still wise.
Can I include a grout gap?
Yes. Enter the grout gap and the calculator expands each tile footprint accordingly.