How to calculate tiles needed
Enter the area, tile dimensions, grout joint width, and waste allowance. Tile Calculator converts the selected units, rounds Tiles needed up to a whole tile, and can calculate Boxes needed when you enter Tiles per box (optional). The result also shows Total coverage bought and Actual overage based on the rounded tile count.
- Enter Area to tile and choose
sq ft,sq m, orsq yd. - Enter Waste / overage %. The starting value is
10; enter0to calculate without an allowance. - Enter Tile length and Tile width, choosing each unit from
in,ft,mm,cm, orm. - Enter Grout joint width and select its unit. Use
0when the layout has no visible joint. - Enter Tiles per box (optional) when you also need a whole-box count.
- Select Calculate. Select Copy result or Download result (.txt) to move the plain-text estimate elsewhere.
Select Reset to clear Area to tile, restore the other starting values, and hide the previous result.
How the tile calculator formula works
Tile Calculator converts the area to square feet and the dimensions to inches before applying these calculations:
Tile module area = (Tile length + Grout width) x (Tile width + Grout width)Area with waste = Area to tile x (1 + Waste % / 100)Tiles needed = ceil(Area with waste / Tile module area)Boxes needed = ceil(Tiles needed / Tiles per box)when Tiles per box (optional) has a value.
100 sq ft + 12 in x 12 in + 0.125 in grout + 10% waste
= 108 tilesThe calculation adds one Grout joint width to both tile dimensions. In the example, Area with waste is 110 sq ft and the tile module area is about 1.0209 sq ft, which gives 108 tiles after rounding up.
What Tiles per box (optional) changes
Leave Tiles per box (optional) blank to see Tiles needed only. When you enter the quantity printed on the package, the calculator divides Tiles needed by that value and rounds Boxes needed up to a whole box. Total coverage bought still uses the rounded tile count and tile module area.
The result lists converted measurements, tile face area, grout width, tile module size, formula, Total coverage bought, and Actual overage. Copy result puts the text on the clipboard when copying works. If it does not, the text stays in the result box for manual copying. Download result (.txt) saves the same text as a file.
Tile calculator input limits and layout assumptions
Area to tile accepts 0.1 to 1,000,000. Waste / overage % accepts 0 to 50. Tile length and Tile width accept 0.1 to 200, Grout joint width accepts 0 to 5, and Tiles per box (optional) accepts 1 to 10,000. Each limit applies to the value in its selected unit.
Blank, nonnumeric, or out-of-range input stops the calculation, shows an error, and hides the old result. The estimate uses one uniform joint in a grid. It leaves out adhesive, mortar, grout quantity, room-shape cuts, diagonal layouts, herringbone layouts, and offset layouts. The page script makes no request containing the values entered here.
Where a tile quantity calculator fits
Add several room areas together before entering Area to tile. Then enter the package dimensions and review Actual overage alongside the tile count. Setting Waste / overage % to 0 gives the count without an allowance; a higher value covers the cuts and breakage allowance you choose.
For plank, roll, or box-coverage estimates, use the Flooring Calculator. For pavers plus base material and bedding sand, use the Paver Calculator. The wider Construction Calculators for Materials, Dimensions, and Loads category covers other quantities and measurements.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles do I need for 100 sq ft?
For 100 sq ft with 12 in x 12 in tiles, a 0.125 in joint, and 10% waste, it returns 108 tiles.
How do I calculate tile boxes needed?
Enter the package quantity in Tiles per box (optional). The calculator divides Tiles needed by that value and rounds Boxes needed up.
Can I use meters for tile size and square yards for area?
Yes. Area to tile supports square feet, square meters, and square yards. Each dimension and the grout joint support inches, feet, millimeters, centimeters, or meters.
Does grout width change the number of tiles?
Yes. The formula adds Grout joint width to both tile dimensions, so a different joint can change Tiles needed.
What does the Tile Calculator leave out?
It leaves out adhesive, mortar, grout quantity, supplier pricing, room-shape cuts, and layouts such as diagonal, herringbone, and offset patterns.