Tile Calculator
Avoid over-ordering or running short on tile. Enter your room dimensions, tile size, grout gap, and waste percentage to get an exact tile count and total square footage.
How to use Tile Calculator
The tile calculator estimates the number of tiles needed for floors, walls and backsplashes based on area dimensions, tile size and grout joint width. It accounts for waste from cuts on edges and recommends a percentage overage to ensure you can replace cracked or damaged tiles from the same batch.
- Enter the area dimensions (length × width or total sq ft).
- Enter tile dimensions (width × height) and grout joint width.
- Set the layout pattern (straight, diagonal or offset).
- Review tile count, waste factor and bags of grout and adhesive.
Your data never leaves your device — 100% private processing.
Tile size selection and layout patterns
Large-format tiles (12×24", 24×48") make rooms look bigger and have fewer grout lines, reducing maintenance. Small tiles (1×1" mosaic, 2×4" subway) allow curved surfaces and create visual interest. Diagonal layouts look dramatic but require 15% more tile due to additional cuts. Offset (brick) patterns use ~10% more. Straight lay is most material-efficient at ~10% waste.
| Layout pattern | Waste factor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Straight / grid | 10% | Most efficient; minimal cut waste |
| Offset / brick | 10–12% | Staggered joints; slightly more cuts |
| Diagonal / 45° | 15% | Significant corner cuts |
| Herringbone | 15–20% | Complex cuts; allow generous overage |
Grout and adhesive quantities
Grout quantity depends on tile size, joint width and joint depth. Narrow joints (1/16") need less grout than wide joints (1/4"). Standard coverage: 25 lbs of unsanded grout covers ~100–200 sq ft at 1/8" joint. Tile adhesive (thinset) coverage: 50 lbs covers 40–50 sq ft for floor tile. Always buy one extra bag of each — running short mid-project can mean colour mismatches if a different batch is used.
Glossary
- Thinset
- Cement-based tile adhesive mortar applied to the substrate before laying tile.
- Grout
- Material filling joints between tiles; sanded for joints > 1/8", unsanded for smaller joints.
- Substrate
- The surface tiles are laid on: cement board, plywood, or concrete.
- Lippage
- Height difference between adjacent tiles; caused by uneven substrate or inconsistent adhesive.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why use Tile Calculator?
- Accurate material estimates reduce waste and over-ordering
- Supports both metric and imperial measurements
- Covers common materials: concrete, lumber, flooring, paint
- Results include waste factor buffers for professional accuracy
Common use cases
- Calculate concrete needed for a driveway
- Estimate flooring tiles for a room renovation
- Work out paint quantity for interior walls
- Calculate lumber needs for a deck project
- Estimate roofing material for a pitched roof
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