Tile Calculator
Estimate how many tiles you need for floors, walls, showers, backsplashes, patios, and other areas. Calculate tile overage, material costs, and labor costs for your project.
How to Use This Tile Calculator
Installing new tile? This tool calculates exactly how many tiles you'll need and estimates the total project cost.
- Dimensions: Enter the length and width of your room (in feet) and the size of the tiles you plan to use (in inches).
- Overage / Waste: We automatically add 10% extra to the total square footage. This accounts for tiles that must be cut to fit edges, as well as potential breakage during shipping and installation. If your room has complex angles or diagonal patterns, increase this to 15-20%.
- Costs: Input the cost of the tile per square foot and your contractor's total labor fee (or your own expected salary/budget) to get a comprehensive project estimate.
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Calculation Formula
To figure out how many tiles you need, you first determine the total square footage of the room, add your overage percentage, and then divide by the square footage of a single tile.
Total Room Area = Room Length × Room Width
Tile Area (sq ft) = (Tile Length × Tile Width) ÷ 144
Total Tiles Needed = (Total Room Area × 1.10) ÷ Tile Area
Example
For a 10 ft × 10 ft room (100 sq ft) using 12" × 12" tiles (1 sq ft each) with 10% overage:
100 sq ft × 1.10 = 110 sq ft
110 sq ft ÷ 1 sq ft = 110 tiles needed
Common Sizes & Tile Counts
Here is a quick reference table for common area sizes and the number of 12" x 12" tiles needed (including 10% overage).
| Area Dimensions | Total Square Footage | 12x12 Tiles Needed (w/ 10% Waste) |
|---|---|---|
| 5' x 8' (Small Room) | 40 sq ft | 44 pieces |
| 10' x 10' (Small Bedroom) | 100 sq ft | 110 pieces |
| 10' x 15' (Living Area) | 150 sq ft | 165 pieces |
| 15' x 20' (Large Living Room) | 300 sq ft | 330 pieces |
| 20' x 20' (Large Space) | 400 sq ft | 440 pieces |
Recommended Tile by Room / Area
| Room / Area | Common tile choices | Important consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom floor | Porcelain, ceramic | Water exposure and slip resistance |
| Shower floor | Small-format porcelain, ceramic mosaic | Drainage, grout joints and slip resistance |
| Shower wall | Porcelain, ceramic | Moisture exposure and waterproofing system |
| Kitchen floor | Porcelain, ceramic | Durability and easy cleaning |
| Kitchen backsplash | Ceramic, porcelain, glass | Easy cleaning and appearance |
| Living room | Porcelain, ceramic | Durability and maintenance |
| Bedroom | Ceramic, porcelain | Style and maintenance |
| Entryway | Porcelain, quarry | Traffic, dirt and moisture |
| Mudroom | Porcelain, quarry | Moisture, dirt and heavy traffic |
| Laundry room | Porcelain, ceramic | Moisture and cleaning |
| Basement | Porcelain, ceramic | Moisture conditions |
| Patio | Outdoor-rated porcelain, quarry | Exterior exposure and freeze/thaw suitability |
| Pool area | Outdoor-rated tile | Wet-area slip resistance and exterior suitability |
| Garage | Heavy-duty porcelain or purpose-designed garage tile | Load, impact and chemical exposure |
Tile Recommendations by Project
| Project | Recommended tile | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | Porcelain / ceramic | Handles moisture and is easy to clean |
| Shower | Porcelain / ceramic | Suitable options are available for wet areas |
| Kitchen | Porcelain / ceramic | Durable and easy to maintain |
| Backsplash | Ceramic / porcelain / glass | Wide range of styles and easy cleaning |
| Patio | Outdoor-rated porcelain / quarry | Designed for exterior conditions |
| Pool area | Suitable outdoor tile | Wet-area performance and slip resistance |
| Mudroom | Porcelain / quarry | Handles dirt and moisture |
| Basement | Porcelain / ceramic | Useful where moisture resistance is important |