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Planning a tile project? Use this free tile calculator to estimate how many tiles you need for any floor, wall, shower, or backsplash. Enter your room dimensions and tile size, and the calculator returns a tile count, total square footage, and a recommended waste allowance.

No guesswork. Just enter the dimensions, pick your tile size, and get a reliable estimate in seconds.

How This Online Tile Calculator Works

This tile calculator works by comparing two areas: the space you want to cover and the size of one tile.

  1. Enter the length and width of the area to be tiled (in feet or inches).
  2. Enter the tile size (for example, 12×12 inches or 6×24 inches).
  3. Choose a grout joint width if you want grout factored in.
  4. Set a waste percentage for cuts and breakage.

The calculator divides your total square footage by the area of a single tile. It then adds your waste allowance and returns the number of tiles needed, along with an estimated number of boxes if you enter tiles per box.

You can run it as many times as you like for different rooms or tile sizes. Results update instantly.

Estimate Tile Square Footage for Wall and Floor

Square footage is the foundation of any tile estimate. Multiply the length of the area by its width to get the total square footage.

For walls, measure the width and height instead. If you have multiple surfaces (like three shower walls), calculate each one separately, then add them together.

This calculator handles both wall and floor measurements. Just enter each surface's dimensions and the tool totals everything for you.

Floor Tile Calculator: Measure Length and Width

For floor tile, start by measuring the length and width of the room in feet. Use a tape measure along the longest points. If the room has alcoves or closets you plan to tile, measure those separately and add them to your total.

Round up to the nearest inch. Rounding down risks coming up short.

How Many Tiles Do You Need per Square Footage

A simple formula gets you from square footage to tile count:

  • Total square footage ÷ area of one tile = number of tiles

For example, a 100 square foot kitchen floor using 12×12 inch tiles (1 square foot each) needs 100 tiles before waste. With 12×24 inch tiles (2 square feet each), you need 50 tiles before waste.

Always add waste on top of this base number. More on that below.

Number of Tiles Needed for Tile Flooring

Tile flooring projects vary widely in size. A small bathroom might need 40 tiles. A large open-concept kitchen floor could require 300 or more.

The calculator gives you the exact number of tiles based on your measurements. It also converts to boxes if you enter how many tiles come per box. Buy full boxes when possible, because loose tiles from different production runs can vary slightly in shade.

Shower Tile Estimator

Shower tile estimates work differently from floors. You're covering vertical surfaces (walls) and often a small floor area, each with different dimensions.

To estimate tile for a shower wall:

  1. Measure the width and height of each wall you plan to tile.
  2. Subtract the area of any windows or niches you won't cover.
  3. Add the shower floor dimensions separately.

Most showers have three tiled walls. Measure each one individually since widths often differ. Enter each surface into the calculator and sum the results.

How much extra tile should you order for a shower? Showers typically need a higher waste allowance (15% or more) because of corners, niches, and plumbing cutouts that create more cuts.

Tile Size, Grout, and Layout Options

Tile size directly affects how many tiles you need. Larger tiles cover more area per piece, so you need fewer of them. Smaller tiles, like mosaics, require many more pieces for the same space.

Common tile sizes include:

  • 3×6 inches (subway tile)
  • 12×12 inches
  • 12×24 inches
  • 24×24 inches
  • 6×6 inches (for accents and backsplashes)

Grout joint width matters too. Wider grout lines slightly reduce the number of tiles per square foot. Rectified tiles (machine-cut edges) allow narrower grout joints, typically 1/16 to 1/8 inch. Standard tiles usually need 1/8 to 3/16 inch joints.

The calculator lets you specify grout joint width so the estimate reflects real-world spacing.

Herringbone Pattern, Brickwork, and Other Tile Layouts

Your tile layout affects how much material you need. A straight grid pattern is the most efficient. Other patterns create more cuts and more waste.

  • Straight lay: Tiles aligned in a simple grid. Lowest waste (5% to 10%).
  • Brickwork (offset): Each row is offset by half a tile. Moderate waste (10%).
  • Herringbone pattern: Tiles set at 45-degree angles in a zigzag. Higher waste (15% or more).
  • Diagonal: Tiles rotated 45 degrees from the wall. Expect 15% waste or higher.

Choose your layout before ordering. The calculator's waste percentage field lets you adjust for your chosen pattern.

Extra Tile: Why You Need a Waste Allowance

Never order exactly the number of tiles the math says you need. Cuts, breakage, and future repairs all require extra tile.

General guidelines for waste allowance:

  • Simple rectangular rooms with straight lay: 10%
  • Complex layouts or diagonal patterns: 15%
  • Rooms with many cuts (around pipes, corners, door frames): 15% to 20%
  • Large tile in small spaces: 15% (more cuts at edges)

Buy a few extra beyond the waste calculation. If a tile cracks years later, matching the exact color and lot can be difficult. Keeping a small reserve saves a headache down the road.

Tile Materials: Ceramic, Porcelain, and Quarry Tile

The type of tile you choose affects cost, durability, and sometimes installation requirements.

  • Ceramic tile: Affordable and easy to cut. Good for walls, backsplashes, and light-traffic floors. Absorbs more water than porcelain.
  • Porcelain tile: Denser and more water-resistant than ceramic. Works well for bathrooms, showers, and high-traffic floors. Harder to cut, so waste may be slightly higher.
  • Quarry tile: Unglazed, thick, and very durable. Common in commercial kitchens and mudrooms.
  • Natural stone (marble, slate, travertine): Varies in thickness and finish. Often requires sealing. Waste allowance should be higher because natural stone can chip more easily during cuts.
  • Glass tile: Used mainly for backsplashes and accents. Fragile during cutting, so plan for extra waste.

This calculator works for any tile type. Just enter the correct tile dimensions. Material choice affects your budget, which the cost section below can help you estimate.

Tile Cost and Tile Installation Cost Calculator

Once you know how many tiles you need, estimating cost is straightforward.

Multiply the number of tiles by the price per tile. Or multiply your total square footage by the cost per square foot. The calculator can show both if you enter a price.

Tile prices vary widely:

  • Basic ceramic: $0.50 to $3 per square foot
  • Porcelain: $2 to $10 per square foot
  • Natural stone: $5 to $25+ per square foot
  • Glass mosaic: $5 to $30 per square foot

Estimate Tile Materials and Tile Quantities for Your Budget

Tile installation cost goes beyond the tile itself. Budget for these additional materials:

  • Thinset mortar or adhesive
  • Grout
  • Backer board (for showers and wet areas)
  • Tile spacers
  • Sealer (for natural stone and unglazed tile)

Professional tile installation typically costs $4 to $14 per square foot for labor, depending on your region and the complexity of the layout. Herringbone and diagonal patterns cost more to install than straight lay.

Use the tile cost section of this calculator to get a ballpark for materials. For a precise installation quote, get estimates from local installers based on your specific project.

Flooring Calculator for Kitchen, Bathroom, and Other Rooms

Different rooms present different challenges for estimating tile.

  • Kitchen floor: Usually a large, relatively simple rectangle. Measure around islands and cabinets. Most people tile under appliances that might be moved later.
  • Bathroom: Smaller area but more cuts around toilets, vanities, and tub edges. Use a higher waste percentage.
  • Kitchen backsplash: Measure the width and height of each section between countertops and upper cabinets. Subtract for windows and outlets.
  • Entryway or mudroom: Often straightforward rectangles. Durable tile like porcelain or quarry works best here.
  • Laundry room: Similar to a bathroom in size. Consider water resistance in your tile choice.

The calculator works the same way for every room. Just enter the correct dimensions for each space. Run separate calculations for rooms with different tile sizes or layouts.

Number of Tile: How to Estimate Tile for Any Tile Project

Here is a quick summary of the steps to determine exactly how many tiles you need for any project:

  1. Measure the length and width (or width and height for walls) of every surface.
  2. Calculate the total square footage.
  3. Choose your tile size.
  4. Divide total area by the area of one tile.
  5. Add your waste allowance (10% to 20%).
  6. Round up to full boxes.

This process works whether you're tiling a single backsplash or an entire house. The calculator automates steps 3 through 6 for you.

Many Tiles for Rectangle and Irregular Spaces

Rectangular rooms are simple. Multiply length by width and you're done.

Irregular spaces need a different approach:

  • Break the space into smaller rectangles or squares.
  • Measure each section separately.
  • Add all sections together for the total square footage.

For L-shaped rooms, split the L into two rectangles. For rooms with angled walls, measure the longest and widest points, then calculate the rectangle that contains the entire space. You'll have a small amount of overestimate, but that provides a built-in buffer.

Curved surfaces (like a rounded shower bench) are harder to calculate precisely. Estimate the closest rectangular area and add a higher waste percentage to account for the extra cuts.

This Tile Calculator Gives an Estimate, Not a Final Quote

This calculator provides a planning estimate. It helps you figure out how much tile to order and gives a useful starting point for budgeting.

It is not a substitute for professional measurement or a contractor's quote. Actual tile quantities can differ based on site conditions, layout decisions made during installation, and how cuts fall along edges.

Use these results to plan your purchase with confidence, but confirm with your installer before placing a final order, especially for large or complex tile projects.