How much extra tile should I buy?

The right allowance depends on layout, tile size, room shape, pattern and future repair needs. Straight layouts often need less than diagonal or complex patterns; confirm with the installer.

Why are boxes rounded up?

Tile is sold in whole boxes. The calculator first rounds the tile count up, then rounds the required box count up.

Does grout spacing reduce the tile count?

This planning calculator uses tile face area and a waste allowance. Real layouts are governed by full courses, cuts and joint placement, so a tiny area-based grout adjustment can create false precision.

Can I use this for wall tile?

Yes. Enter the wall's tileable length and height as the project dimensions and calculate each differently sized wall section separately.

Home project calculator

Tile Calculator

Estimate individual tiles and whole boxes from project dimensions, tile size, packaging and a user-selected cutting allowance.

Live estimate

Enter project measurements

Project lengthftProject widthftTile widthinTile lengthinTiles per boxtilesCutting allowance%

Estimated tile order

132 tiles

14 whole boxes at the entered packaging quantity.

Project area: 120 ft²
Tiles before waste: 120
Whole boxes: 14
Ordered tile area: 132 ft²

Transparent calculation

Formula used

Tiles = project area ÷ tile face area × (1 + waste %)

The tile count is rounded up, then divided by the actual tiles per box and rounded up again. Grout and mortar are intentionally not guessed because product coverage varies.

Worked example

A 10 × 12 ft area using 12 × 12 inch tiles needs 120 tiles before waste. With 10% added, the estimate is 132 tiles, or 14 boxes when each box contains 10.

How to use this estimate

1Measure the tileable surface, excluding areas that will not receive tile.
2Enter the nominal tile face dimensions.
3Copy the tiles-per-box value from the carton.
4Choose an allowance that reflects cuts, layout and replacement stock.

Tile Calculator FAQs

Answers to the most common measurement and ordering questions.