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Tile Calculator
Enter the surface, tile, grout joint, and package details to get a whole-box shopping estimate.Plan your tile purchase
Change any measurement. Your estimate updates instantly.
130 tiles needed, 132 tiles purchased
- Surface area
- 120 ft²
- Tiles before waste
- 118
- Estimated material cost
- $374
Calculated in your browser. Measurements are not uploaded or saved.
How this estimate works
Surface area divided by tile area, plus 10% waste, rounded up.
Measure twice and use the same unit throughout. Product coverage, material density, installation patterns, and local requirements can change the quantity you need.
Quick answer
To estimate tile, divide the surface area by the installed area of one tile plus its grout joint, then add an allowance for cuts and breakage. Convert the tile count to whole boxes using the quantity printed on the carton.
Worked example
A 12 × 10 ft surface is 17,280 in². With 12-inch square tiles, the base count is 120; a 10% allowance produces 132 tiles before converting to whole boxes.
Assumptions
- The surface is flat and measured as rectangles.
- The entered tile dimensions are nominal face dimensions.
- The default 10% allowance suits a simple straight layout.
How many tiles do I need?
Measure the full floor or wall in feet, then enter tile dimensions in inches. The calculator treats the tile and grout joint as one installed module. It rounds the base count up, applies the cutting allowance, and finally rounds again to whole boxes.
Does grout spacing change the tile count?
Yes, although the difference is often small for large tiles. A joint adds to each installed module, so the same surface can use slightly fewer tiles. Enter the planned joint from the tile or setting-material instructions instead of assuming every installation uses the default one-eighth inch gap.
How much tile waste should I allow?
Ten percent is a useful starting point for a simple straight layout. Diagonal patterns, mosaics, large-format tiles, many corners, and tiles that must be centered on a focal point can create more offcuts. Order all visible tile from the same production lot and keep a few replacements for future repairs.
Last reviewed September 22, 2026. Source: Tile Council of North America homeowner resources. Product instructions take priority over a general estimate.