Square Foot Calculator for Tile
Calculate the exact number of tiles needed for your project, including grout spacing and cost estimates.
Room Dimensions
Tile Size
How to Calculate Tiles Needed
To determine how many tiles you need, calculate the total area of your space and divide it by the area of one tile (including grout gaps).
Tips for Ordering Tiles
- Always order 10–15% extra tiles to account for cuts, breakage, and future repairs.
- Tiles are usually sold by the box — check how many sq ft each box covers.
- Larger tiles generally mean fewer cuts but more waste on small or irregular areas.
- Don't forget to account for grout spacing — it adds up over large areas.
Tile Size and Coverage Reference
Tile is sold by the box, with each box covering a specific area in square feet. The tile size determines how many pieces you need per box and per square foot. Use this table to cross-reference your sq ft total with box coverage.
| Tile Size | Tiles per Sq Ft | Common Box Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 in | 9 tiles | ~15 sq ft / box |
| 6 × 6 in | 4 tiles | ~15–20 sq ft / box |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 tile | ~15–20 sq ft / box |
| 12 × 24 in | 0.5 tile | ~15–20 sq ft / box |
| 18 × 18 in | ~0.44 tile | ~20 sq ft / box |
| 24 × 24 in | 0.25 tile | ~20 sq ft / box |
Box Count Formula
Tile Layout Patterns and Waste Factors
The tile pattern you choose dramatically affects how much material you'll waste on cuts. Choosing a complex pattern means more cuts — and more leftover tile.
| Layout Pattern | Waste Factor | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Straight / Grid | 10 % | Most rooms, easiest DIY |
| Brick / Offset | 10–12 % | Kitchens, backsplashes |
| Diagonal (45°) | 15 % | Small rooms (makes them look larger) |
| Herringbone | 15–20 % | Hallways, bathrooms |
| Chevron | 20 % | Feature walls, luxury floors |
Grout and Adhesive Material Estimates
Tile installation also requires grout and tile adhesive (thin-set mortar). Estimate these quantities based on your total tile square footage so you can include them in your shopping list.
- Thin-set mortar: A 50 lb bag covers approximately 40–50 sq ft at standard 3/16" notch. For large-format tiles (18×18 or bigger), coverage drops to 25–35 sq ft per bag.
- Sanded grout: A 25 lb bag covers 50–100 sq ft with 3/16" joints. Wider joints need more grout.
- Unsanded grout: Use for joints smaller than 1/8". A 10 lb bag covers about 50 sq ft.
- Grout sealer: 1 pint typically covers 100–150 sq ft of grout joint area.
All Square Foot Calculators
Choose a specialized calculator for your specific project type.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll need approximately 100 tiles (each 12×12 inch tile covers 1 sq ft). Add 10% extra for cuts, so order about 110 tiles.
Standard grout gaps are 1/8 inch (0.125 in) for rectified tiles and 3/16 inch for non-rectified tiles. Larger format tiles often use 1/16 inch gaps.
Yes! Always buy 10–15% more than calculated. This covers breakage during installation and provides spares for future repairs.
Measure the height and width of each wall you want to tile. Multiply to get the wall area, subtract any windows or doors, and use that total area in this calculator.