# Tile Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/construction/tile/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The tile calculator works out how many tiles and boxes you need for a floor or wall from the area, tile size, grout joint and waste allowance, and prices the job per box or per tile.

## Inputs

- Area length (ft, m, in, yd, cm)
- Area width (ft, m, in, yd, cm)
- Tile length (in, cm, mm, ft, m, mm)
- Tile width (in, cm, mm, ft, m, mm)
- Grout joint (in, cm, mm, ft, m, mm)
- Layout / waste
- Tiles per box
- Price per box (/piece)

## Results

- Area
- Tiles needed
- Boxes
- Area covered by those boxes
- Cost

## Formula

```
Tiles = area ÷ ((tile L + joint) × (tile W + joint)) × (1 + waste)
Boxes = ceil(tiles ÷ tiles per box)
```

## Explanation

Tile is sold by the box, so the goal is to buy just enough boxes plus a few spares from the same production batch (dye lot) for future repairs. Including the grout joint in the size of each tile gives a more accurate count; the waste allowance covers cuts at walls and around obstacles – more for diagonal or patterned layouts and large-format tile.

### How to use the Tile Calculator

- **Area length**
- **Area width**
- **Tile length**
- **Tile width**
- **Grout joint**
- **Layout / waste**
- **Tiles per box**
- **Price per box**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter the area dimensions (or a total area as length × 1), the tile size and joint width, the waste allowance and how many tiles come in a box. The calculator divides the area by the space taken by one tile and its joint, adds waste and rounds up to whole tiles and boxes.

### Tips for an accurate estimate

- Sketch the job and split irregular areas into rectangles, circles and triangles before you measure.
- Add a waste allowance – typically 5–10% for simple layouts and 15–20% for diagonal, curved or heavily cut work.
- Check the coverage or yield printed on the product, because sizes and densities vary between manufacturers.
- Buy all units of a finished material (tile, brick, siding) from the same batch so colours match, and keep a few spares for repairs.
- Confirm local prices – quarry, lumber and steel prices vary widely by region and season.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Ordering exactly the calculated amount with no allowance for breakage, offcuts and settlement.
- Forgetting to subtract doors, windows and other openings – or subtracting small ones that still need cutting around.
- Confusing US short tons (2,000 lb) with metric tonnes (1,000 kg) when comparing quotes.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterArea lengthUnits: ft, m, in, yd, cmArea widthUnits: ft, m, in, yd, cmTile lengthUnits: in, cm, mm, ft, m, mmTile widthUnits: in, cm, mm, ft, m, mmGrout jointUnits: in, cm, mm, ft, m, mmLayout / wasteChoose one: Straight lay – 10%, Brick / offset – 12%, Diagonal – 15%, Herringbone – 20% …Tiles per boxA numberPrice per boxUnits: /piece

### What each result means

- **Area** = [Area length]×[Area width]
- **Tiles needed** = ceil([Area]÷(([Tile length] + [Grout joint])×([Tile width] + [Grout joint]))×(1 + [Layout ÷ waste]÷100))
- **Boxes** = ceil([Tiles needed]÷[Tiles per box])
- **Area covered by those boxes** = [Boxes]×[Tiles per box]×[Tile length]×[Tile width]
- **Cost** = [Boxes]×[Price per box]

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Area length** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Area length (ft)Tiles needed66599712130151621819424259

## Worked example

Inputs — Area length: 12 ft; Area width: 10 ft; Tile length: 12 in; Tile width: 12 in; Grout joint: 0.125 in; Layout / waste: Straight lay – 10%; Tiles per box: 10; Price per box: $25 /piece.

Results — Area = 120 ft²; **Tiles needed = 130**; Boxes = 13; Area covered by those boxes = 130 ft²; Cost = $325.00.

## FAQ

**How many tiles do I need for 100 ft²?**
About 100 tiles of 12 × 12 in, 225 of 8 × 8 in or 50 of 12 × 24 in, plus 10% waste.

**How much extra tile should I buy?**
10% for straight layouts, 15% for diagonal and 20% for herringbone, plus a box of spares for repairs.

**Should I include the grout line?**
Yes – on small tiles the joint noticeably increases the area each tile covers.

**What formula does the Tile Calculator use?**
Tiles = area ÷ ((tile L + joint) × (tile W + joint)) × (1 + waste).


## Sources

- [Tile Council of North America – TCNA Handbook](https://www.tcnatile.com/)