Tile Calculator

US & Canada

Enter the area and tile size to get the number of tiles and boxes to buy, with grout joints and waste counted.

Your tile job

1. Area to tile

ft
ft

Works for floors and walls. For a wall, use its width and height.

2. Tile

in
in
in

Custom sizes are used only when Custom size is picked. Follow the tile maker's minimum joint width.

3. Waste and boxes

%
tiles

10% suits a straight lay; add more for diagonal or herringbone. Enter the count printed on the box to get boxes.

Result

0

Tile count

Each tile plus one grout joint is counted as the repeating unit, so tiles come out slightly below area ÷ tile size.

How the tile maths works

  • Repeating unit = (tile length + joint) × (tile width + joint)
  • Tiles = area ÷ repeating unit × (1 + waste), rounded up
  • Boxes = tiles ÷ tiles per box, rounded up

Tiles needed by area

10% waste. 1/8 in joints for the square and rectangular tiles, 1/16 in for subway.

Number of tiles needed by area and tile size
Area 12 × 12 12 × 24 24 × 24 3 × 6
25 sq ft 27 14 7 214
40 sq ft 44 22 11 342
50 sq ft 54 28 14 427
100 sq ft 108 55 28 854
150 sq ft 162 82 41 1,280
200 sq ft 216 109 55 1,707

Before you buy

  • Check the lot number. Buy every box from the same lot so the shade matches.
  • Mix boxes as you lay. Pull from several boxes at once to blend natural variation.
  • Grout and thinset depend on the product and trowel size; use the coverage chart on the bag.

Common questions

How many 12x12 tiles do I need for 100 square feet?
With 1/8 in grout joints and 10% waste, 108 tiles. Without the joints it would be 100 exactly before waste; the joint takes up a little of each square foot.
How many 12x24 tiles do I need for 100 square feet?
Each 12 × 24 tile covers 2 sq ft. With 1/8 in joints and 10% waste you need 55 tiles.
How many tiles for a small bathroom floor?
A 5 × 8 ft bathroom floor is 40 sq ft. In 12 × 12 tile with 10% waste, that is 44 tiles. Subtract the tub and vanity footprint if the tile does not run under them.
How many subway tiles for a backsplash?
A 30 sq ft backsplash in 3 × 6 in subway tile with 1/16 in joints takes 256 tiles with 10% waste. Measure each wall section, and subtract windows but not outlets.
How much extra tile should I buy?
10% for a straight lay, and 15% or more for diagonal, herringbone, large format tiles or rooms with lots of cuts. Keep a few spare tiles for repairs; matching discontinued tile later is hard.
Does grout joint size change the tile count?
Slightly. Each tile plus one joint is the repeating unit, so wider joints mean fewer tiles. On small tiles the effect is bigger: 3 × 6 subway with 1/8 in joints needs about 6% fewer tiles than the bare area suggests.