Solverly

Tile Calculator

Quickly turn room measurements into a precise materials plan—total square footage, tile count, estimated boxes, and a smart waste buffer for cuts and patterns. Use it when you’re budgeting a remodel, comparing tile sizes, or making sure you won’t run short during installation (or overspend on extras).

The Tile Calculator lets you enter one or multiple areas, choose units, set grout spacing and waste, and specify tile dimensions, coverage per box, and price. The goal is a clear shopping list and cost estimate you can act on—accurate quantities, a projected total, and a shareable summary for quotes or store trips. Enter your measurements below to get started.

Find how many tiles and boxes you need — with grout gap, waste, layout choice, and cost estimate.

Enter your project

Straight: 5–10% waste; Diagonal: 12–15%+ recommended.

Quick breakdown

Base tiles (no waste)
120
Tiles with waste
132
Rows × Columns
10 × 12
Coverage
132.00 ft² • 12.26 m²
Boxes
14
Estimated cost
—

We use a module size (tile + grout) to estimate rows/columns; edge cuts and pattern complexity are covered by the waste buffer.

Results interpretation

We estimate tiles by rounding rows and columns up to cover partial pieces, then add a waste buffer to handle cuts, breakage, and color sorting. Coverage uses the tile area (without grout) multiplied by the tile count.

  • Waste %: 5–10% for straight layouts; 12–15%+ for diagonal or complex rooms.
  • Grout gap: Affects module size and can reduce tile count slightly versus ignoring gaps.
  • Boxes: Tiles-per-box varies. Always round up to whole boxes.

How it works

Our math uses a simple grid model. It’s fast, transparent, and close to what installers quote for rectangular tiles.

Formulas, steps, assumptions, limitations

Module size: mL = tileL + grout, mW = tileW + grout.

Counts: cols = ⌈roomL / mL⌉, rows = ⌈roomW / mW⌉, base tiles = rows × cols.

Waste: tiles = ⌈base × (1 + waste%)⌉.

Coverage: tiles × (tileL × tileW).

Assumptions: rectangular room and tile; even spacing; diagonal patterns generally require higher waste.

Limitations: intricate patterns, borders, or many obstacles need extra buffer; always confirm against site conditions.

Use cases & examples

Kitchen floor (straight)

12×10 ft room, 12×12 in tile, 1/8 in grout, 10% waste → about 110–120 tiles; with 10 per box, plan 12 boxes.

Bathroom (diagonal)

8×6 ft room, 8×8 in tile, 3/16 in grout, 15% waste → higher count from cuts; round up to next box for safety.

Metric project

3.6×3.0 m room, 30×30 cm tile, 3 mm grout (0.3 cm), 10% waste → instant tiles and boxes in your local units.

Tile calculator FAQs

Do we count tiles by area or by rows and columns?

We count rows and columns using a module (tile + grout) to better match real layouts and edge cuts.

Should we add more waste for patterned tiles?

Yes. Directional patterns, veining, and borders can increase offcuts. Add a few extra percent or round up a box.

What about walls with niches or windows?

Our estimate covers the main rectangle. Subtract major openings from room size or increase the waste buffer.

Can we mix tile and box pricing?

Enter both; we’ll show either cost-per-tile or cost-per-box based on what you provide.

Does grout color or thickness change the count a lot?

Small changes rarely move the count more than a tile or two. Waste rounding usually absorbs it.

How do we handle multiple rooms?

Run each space separately and combine counts, or add a bit more waste across the order for flexibility.

Planning Tile Projects: From Room Measurements to Confident Orders

We turn a tape measure and a few product details into a clear material plan. By combining room size, tile dimensions, grout gap, layout choice, and a practical waste buffer, we can order once, reduce returns, and keep crews moving. The process is straightforward, repeatable, and easy to adjust for on-site realities.

Measure once, record twice

Accurate measurements save time and money. We measure the longest usable length and width in the area to be tiled. If walls aren’t perfectly square, we favor the larger number so coverage stays safe. When rooms have alcoves or jogs, we sketch a quick plan and split the space into rectangles, then sum their areas.

Tile size, grout gap, and the “module” idea

Installers think in modules: one tile plus the grout gap around it. Using modules lets us estimate rows and columns instead of pure area. The difference is small on large rooms but meaningful on tight spaces where an extra row means a whole box of tile. Our calculator uses this approach to mirror real-world ordering.

Choosing a waste buffer with confidence

Waste isn’t about sloppy cuts—it’s about reality. Corners, L-cuts, chipped pieces, pattern matching, and future repairs all consume extras. Straight grid layouts usually land between five and ten percent; diagonal patterns and intricate rooms need closer to fifteen percent. When in doubt, round up one box to avoid delays.

Straight vs. diagonal layout

Diagonal patterns can visually widen a room and hide minor wall inconsistencies, but they create more offcuts at the edges. That’s why the suggested waste is higher. If the budget is tight, consider straight in low-visibility areas and save diagonal or herringbone for your visual focal points.

Packaging and pricing

Manufacturers package tiles in boxes with a fixed count. Some quote price per tile; others per box. We support both, so we can align with any product label. When both are available, boxes typically yield a cleaner estimate.

Working with installers

Good planning includes a conversation. We share our room sketch, confirm the layout and grout width, and ask about pattern direction and trim pieces. Installers often prefer an extra box on site; unopened boxes are easier to return than running short mid-project.

Edge cases and add-ons

Non-rectangular tiles, mosaics on sheets, borders, and inlays follow the same principles but may need higher buffers. Wet areas and exterior installs can require specific mortars, membranes, and expansion joints. Our counts focus on tile; accessory quantities come from product coverage charts.

Putting it all together

With clear measurements, a chosen layout, and a right-sized waste buffer, we can place an order that keeps the project on schedule. The numbers help us compare options—12×24s for fewer grout lines, 8×8s for classic texture—and budget accordingly. Simple math, fewer surprises, better results.