Quick Answer
To find how many tiles you need, divide the project area by the area of one tile, then add extra for cuts, waste, and future repairs.
Tiles needed = Project area ÷ Tile area × (1 + Waste factor)
If your floor is 120 square feet and each tile covers 1 square foot, a 10% overage means:
120 ÷ 1 × 1.10 = 132 tiles
Optional: Boxing & Price
Enter either price per box (with tiles per box) or price per tile. If both are entered, box pricing takes priority.
Step-by-Step Tile Estimate
- Measure the length and width of the floor or wall.
- Multiply length × width to get square footage.
- Convert tile size to square feet.
- Divide total area by tile area.
- Add waste for cuts, breakage, and future replacement.
| Project Type | Suggested Overage |
|---|---|
| Simple square room | 10% |
| Diagonal layout | 15% |
| Small bathroom with many cuts | 15-20% |
| Patterned tile | 15-20% |
| Natural stone | 15-20% |
Tile Size Examples
| Tile Size | Area per Tile | Tiles per 100 sq ft before waste |
|---|---|---|
| 6 × 6 in | 0.25 sq ft | 400 |
| 12 × 12 in | 1 sq ft | 100 |
| 12 × 24 in | 2 sq ft | 50 |
| 18 × 18 in | 2.25 sq ft | 45 |
| 24 × 24 in | 4 sq ft | 25 |
Why Overage Matters
Tile projects almost always need extra material. Edge cuts, broken tiles, pattern matching, and future repairs all use more tile than the simple room area suggests.
For most projects, 10% extra is the minimum. Use 15% or more when the room has many corners, the tile is installed diagonally, or the tile may be hard to find later.
Key Takeaways
- Measure the actual floor or wall area first.
- Convert tile size into square feet before dividing.
- Add at least 10% waste for most layouts.
- Buy from the same lot when possible so colors match.
- Keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.