The Tile Calculator helps you determine the number of tiles, granite, or ceramic pieces needed to cover a floor or wall.
Enter the room dimensions and tile size to get the number of pieces and boxes to purchase. Includes allowance for cuts, breakage, and installation patterns. Supports all popular tile sizes from 20x20 to 100x100 cm.
Calculator information
📋 How to use this calculator
- Measure the length and width of the room or wall to be tiled (in feet or meters).
- Select the tile size: 8x8, 12x12, 16x16, 20x20, 24x24 inches, or a custom size.
- Enter the coverage per box of tile (typically listed in sq ft or pieces per box by the manufacturer).
- Pick a waste/overage percentage: 5% for straight lay, 10% for diagonal or herringbone, 15% for complex patterns.
- Click Calculate to see total area, number of pieces, and number of boxes needed.
- Add thinset mortar (~1 lb per sq ft) and grout (~0.1 lb per sq ft) for a full materials estimate.
🧮 Tile Quantity Needed
Boxes = (Room Area × (1 + Waste %)) / Area per Box
- Room Area = Length × Width (sq ft or m²)
- Area per Tile = (length × width) / 144 (in² to sq ft) or / 10,000 (cm² to m²)
- Pieces Needed = Room Area / Area per Tile
- Waste = 5% (straight lay) up to 15% (diagonal/complex patterns)
- Boxes = round up of (Total Pieces / Pieces per Box)
Industry typical: a box of 16x16 in tile holds 6 pieces (~10.67 sq ft); 20x20 in holds 4 pieces (~11.1 sq ft); 24x24 in holds 3 pieces (~12 sq ft).
💡 Worked example: Installing 16x16 in tile in a 13 x 10 ft room
Given:- Room length = 13 ft, width = 10 ft
- Tile size = 16 x 16 in
- 1 box = 6 pieces = ~10.67 sq ft
- Straight-lay waste = 5%
Steps:- Room area = 13 × 10 = 130 sq ft
- With 5% waste: 130 × 1.05 = 136.5 sq ft
- Area per tile = (16 × 16) / 144 = 1.78 sq ft
- Pieces needed = 136.5 / 1.78 = 76.7 → round up to 77 pieces
- Boxes = 77 / 6 = 12.83 → round up to 13 boxes
- Verification: 13 boxes × 10.67 sq ft = 138.7 sq ft (covers 130 sq ft + waste)
Result: Buy 13 boxes of 16x16 in tile (78 pieces) to cover the 130 sq ft room. Roughly 8.7 sq ft of extras for cuts and future repairs.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How much waste should I add for tile?
Waste depends on the layout pattern and room complexity. For standard straight-lay, plan on 5-7% waste. Diagonal or brick patterns need 10%. Herringbone, hexagonal, or intricate patterns need 12-15%. Rooms with many corners, columns, or irregular shapes need an extra 3-5%. Always keep at least 2-3 spare tiles for future repairs if a tile cracks.
How much thinset and grout do I need per square foot?
For modified thinset mortar at a 1/4-inch trowel notch, plan on about 0.8-1.2 lb per sq ft. Larger-format tiles use more. For grout, plan on roughly 0.1-0.2 lb per sq ft depending on tile size and joint width (1/16 to 3/16 inch). Larger tiles with narrow joints use less grout. Always buy ~10% extra for any project.
How long does it take to install tile per square foot?
An experienced tile setter installs roughly 50-100 sq ft per day (8-hour workday) for standard patterns. Diagonal and herringbone runs 30-50 sq ft per day. Substrate prep (leveling, primer/membrane) can take 1-2 days before installation. After install, tile should set at least 24 hours before grouting. Total turnaround for a 130 sq ft room is around 3-5 days.
How much does tile installation cost in the U.S.?
As of 2026, labor for tile installation runs about $7-15 per sq ft for standard layouts (materials separate). Diagonal patterns run $10-18 per sq ft. Major metro areas (NYC, SF, LA) typically cost 20-30% more than national averages. Material costs: ceramic tile $1-10 per sq ft, porcelain $3-15 per sq ft, natural stone $7-30+ per sq ft. Total budget for installed tile commonly runs $15-30 per sq ft.
What's the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?
Ceramic tile is made from clay fired at 1,800-2,200°F, is softer, and absorbs 3-7% water. Porcelain tile is fired at 2,300-2,400°F, denser and harder, with water absorption under 0.5% (per ANSI A137.1). Porcelain is more scratch-, load-, and crack-resistant - ideal for high-traffic and outdoor areas. Porcelain costs 2-3x more than ceramic. Bedrooms can use ceramic; kitchen floors, bathrooms, and patios are better with porcelain.
📚 Sources & references
Last updated: May 11, 2026