Floors & walls
Tile Calculator
Estimate whole tile boxes, pieces, purchase coverage, waste, leftover material, and optional cost.
Estimated order quantity
0 boxes to buy
- Carton coverage
- Tile size
- Waste and rounding
- Grout, mortar or adhesive, underlayment, trim, delivery, labor and taxes are not included.
Planning estimate only. Verify product specifications, site conditions, and supplier purchase increments before ordering.
How the tile estimate works
The calculator finds the net project area, adds the selected waste allowance, and divides by the exact square-foot coverage printed on the carton. It rounds up to whole boxes because tile is commonly sold by the carton. Tile dimensions and pieces per box provide a useful piece-count cross-check.
Boxes to buy: round up[project area × (1 + waste) ÷ box coverage]
Tiles needed: round up[project area × (1 + waste) ÷ (tile length × tile width ÷ 144)]
Use the carton coverage
Nominal tile dimensions do not always equal the packaged coverage, especially for mosaics, mounted sheets, irregular shapes, and products with calibrated joint spacing. Enter the manufacturer’s carton coverage for the purchase quantity and use the piece count as a planning check.
Worked example
A 12 × 10 ft room has 120 ft². With 10% waste, plan for 132 ft². If one box covers 10 ft² and contains ten 12 × 12 in tiles, buy 14 whole boxes, or 140 tiles. The boxes provide 140 ft², leaving about 20 ft² above the measured room area.
Before ordering
- Measure each rectangular section separately and subtract only areas that will not receive tile.
- Use the exact carton coverage and pieces-per-box shown for the selected product.
- Increase the allowance for diagonal patterns, complex cuts, breakage, shade matching, or future repairs.
- Confirm that one production lot can cover the project; color and caliber can vary between lots.
- Verify substrate, movement-joint, waterproofing, setting-material, grout, and local-code requirements separately.
Planning references: Lowe’s Tile Flooring Calculator recommends 10% extra for trim and waste, and Daltile pattern guidance demonstrates that mixed tile layouts use specific piece percentages. Always follow the selected product carton and installation instructions.
Tile calculator FAQ
How much extra tile should I buy?
Ten percent is a common planning allowance for straightforward layouts. Diagonal, patterned, irregular, or heavily cut installations may need more. Confirm with the installer and product guidance.
Should I calculate by tile size or box coverage?
Use the exact box coverage for purchasing. Tile dimensions provide a useful piece estimate, but nominal sizes, mounted sheets, joint spacing, and packaging can make them differ from carton coverage.
Does the result include grout lines?
The box calculation relies on published carton coverage, which is the most practical buying basis. The piece estimate uses face dimensions only and is therefore a cross-check, not a layout plan.
Can I subtract cabinets or a kitchen island?
Yes. Enter their combined footprint as area to subtract, but keep enough waste for cuts around edges and penetrations.