Tile Calculator
Work out how many tiles you need, with a waste margin for cuts.
Runs in your browser — nothing is sent or saved.
How to use the tile calculator
- Choose feet and inches, or metres and centimetres.
- Enter the length and width of the area to tile.
- Enter the size of a single tile.
- Set the waste margin and read how many tiles you need.
How many tiles you need
The idea is simple: divide the area you are covering by the area of one tile. This tile calculator works out the tiles needed for a room, converting both to the same units first, then rounds up because you cannot buy part of a tile. It suits tile flooring and walls, and turns the tile square footage into a piece count for tiles for a room of any size. It shows the exact number to cover the space and the number once a waste margin is added, so you can order with confidence.
Why the waste margin matters
Real tiling is never perfectly efficient. Tiles are cut to fit edges and corners, some break during cutting or handling, and it is worth keeping a few spares for future repairs since the exact tile may be discontinued later. A margin of about 10% covers most straight layouts. Diagonal patterns, herringbone, and rooms with many corners waste more, so bump the margin up to 15% or more for those.
Buy from one batch
Tile colour and size vary slightly between production batches, a difference you notice most across a large floor. Order all your tiles, including the waste margin, at once and from the same batch, and keep a note of the batch number. Buying a few extra now is far cheaper than trying to match a discontinued tile later.
A worked example
To cover a 12 by 10 foot floor with 12 by 12 inch tiles: the floor is 120 square feet and each tile is 1 square foot, so 120 tiles cover it exactly. Adding a 10% margin gives 132 tiles.
FAQ
How do I calculate how many tiles I need?
Divide the area to cover by the area of one tile, then round up and add a waste margin. The tool does this for you in either metric or imperial units.
How much waste should I allow for tiles?
About 10% for a simple straight layout, and 15% or more for diagonal patterns or rooms with many cuts. The tool lets you set the margin.
Should I buy extra tiles?
Yes. Beyond the waste margin, keep a few spares for future repairs, since the exact tile may be discontinued. Order everything from the same batch so colours match.
Does tile size change the count?
Yes. Larger tiles mean fewer pieces but more waste per cut, while small tiles mean more pieces. Enter your actual tile size for an accurate count.
Is my information private?
Yes. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing you enter is uploaded or saved.