Understanding the Tile Calculator
A tile calculator estimates how many tiles you need to cover a floor or wall, plus the extra for cuts and breakage. It works for any tile size and helps you avoid both shortages and excess when planning a tiling project.
Area divided by tile size
The calculator divides the surface area by the area of a single tile, accounting for the grout line between tiles. Larger tiles cover faster with fewer grout lines, while small tiles and mosaics take longer and use more grout. Either way, you get the count for your specific tile dimensions.
Always buy extra
Cuts around edges, corners, and fixtures create waste, and tiles inevitably crack during cutting or installation. A waste allowance of about 10% is standard, rising for diagonal layouts or intricate patterns. Keep a few spare tiles afterward — matching the exact tile and dye lot later is often impossible.
Tips & things to know
- •Add ~10% for cuts and breakage, more for diagonal layouts.
- •Account for grout line width in your spacing.
- •Keep spare tiles from the same batch for future repairs.