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Tile Calculator
Computes room area, applies waste, divides by tile face area, then rounds up tiles and boxes. Educational purchase estimate only.
Limitation: Educational purchase estimate only.
How to Estimate Tile
Measure the room, enter nominal tile face size, set waste, and use tiles per box from the carton.
Enter room length and width in feet.
Use the same dye lot
Buying all boxes at once reduces shade variation. Keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.
What Tiles Needed Means
The primary result is whole tiles after waste. Boxes are that count rounded up by tiles per box.
Worked Tile Examples
12×10 room with 12-inch tiles
Inputs
Tiles / boxes
120 sq ft + 10% = 132 sq ft; each tile is 1 sq ft → 132 tiles; 14 boxes of 10.
Smaller room, same tile
Inputs
Tiles / boxes
80 + 10% = 88 tiles; 8 boxes of 11.
Diagonals need more waste
Diagonal or complex patterns often need 15%+ waste. Straight lay on a simple rectangle can sit near 10%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about this calculation?
Try the CalculatorTile Count Formulas
Ignores grout joint width in the face-area model—nominal tile size is used as coverage.
Formula
Room area
length × width (ft)
With waste
area × (1 + waste%/100)
Tile area
(tile length × tile width) ÷ 144
Tiles and boxes
ceil(area with waste ÷ tile area); ceil(tiles ÷ tiles/box)
Scientific Background
Assumptions: rectangular room, nominal tile face coverage. Limitations: no herringbone/diagonal layout multipliers beyond the waste percent you choose.
Sources & review
Tile Calculator documents the references behind its formulas and assumptions. Always treat results as educational estimates, not personalized professional advice.
Last reviewed
July 22, 2026
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