This calculator determines how many tiles you need based on area, tile size, and a waste factor for cuts and breakage.
The method
Calculate area of one tile: Tile Size² ÷ 144 (converts square inches to square feet).
Apply waste factor: Area × (1 + Waste% ÷ 100)
Divide: Adjusted Area ÷ Tile Area (rounded up).
Step-by-step
Measure the area you are tiling in square feet (length × width for rectangular spaces).
Enter the tile size in inches (e.g., 12 for 12×12 tiles, 6 for 6×6 tiles).
Enter a waste percentage (10% is standard, 15% for diagonal patterns).
Worked example
100 sq ft floor, 12×12 tiles, 10% waste. Tile area = 144 ÷ 144 = 1 sq ft. Adjusted area = 100 × 1.10 = 110. Tiles needed = 110 ÷ 1 = 110 tiles.
Pro tips
Buy all tiles from the same batch to ensure color consistency. Keep 5–10 extra tiles for future repairs — discontinued styles are hard to match. For diagonal layouts or intricate patterns, increase waste to 15–20%.