Use this tile calculator to estimate how many tiles you may need for your next home project. It works for floor tile, bathroom tile, shower wall tile, ceiling tile, and projects where you already know the total square footage.
Enter the area size, tile size, waste percentage, and number of matching areas. The calculator will estimate the number of tiles to buy, show the total square footage, and explain the formula so you can understand how the result was calculated.
Tile Calculator
Estimate how many tiles you need for floors, bathrooms, shower walls, ceilings, and square footage-based tile projects.
How to Use the Tile Calculator
Start by choosing the type of tile project you are planning. You can calculate tile for a floor, bathroom, shower wall, ceiling, or by entering square footage directly.
For floor, bathroom, shower, or ceiling projects, enter the length and width of the area in feet. Then enter the tile length and tile width in inches. Add a waste percentage to allow for cuts, broken tiles, mistakes, and future repairs.
If you already know the total square footage, choose the square footage option and enter that number directly. This is useful when you measured the space separately or already have a project plan.
Tile Calculator Formula
The basic tile formula is:
Number of tiles = Total area ÷ Area of one tile
Because tile size is usually measured in inches, the calculator converts each tile into square feet first.
For example, a 12-inch by 12-inch tile covers:
12 × 12 = 144 square inches
Since one square foot is 144 square inches, that tile covers:
144 ÷ 144 = 1 square foot
If your room is 120 square feet and each tile covers 1 square foot:
120 ÷ 1 = 120 tiles
If you add 10% waste:
120 × 1.10 = 132 tiles
So, in that example, you should plan to buy about 132 tiles.
How Much Extra Tile Should You Buy?
For most simple tile projects, adding 10% extra tile is a good starting point. This helps cover cuts, chipped tiles, small measuring differences, and future repairs.
You may need more than 10% if your layout has diagonal tile, herringbone patterns, small tiles, many corners, several cuts, or an irregular room shape. For complex layouts, 15% extra is often safer.
Buying a little extra is usually better than running short. Tile styles, colors, and batches can change, and it may be hard to find the exact same tile later.
Floor Tile Calculator
For floor tile, measure the length and width of the room in feet. The calculator multiplies those numbers to find the total floor area.
For example, a 10-foot by 12-foot room is:
10 × 12 = 120 square feet
After that, the calculator divides the floor area by the size of one tile and adds your waste percentage.
Floor tile projects often need extra tile because edge cuts, doorway cuts, and layout adjustments can create waste.
Bathroom Tile Calculator
Bathroom tile projects can include floors, walls, shower areas, or a mix of surfaces. This calculator is helpful for bathroom floors when you enter the bathroom length and width.
If you are tiling more than one bathroom area, calculate each section separately or use the “number of same areas” field when the areas are the same size.
Bathrooms usually have more cuts than open rooms because of toilets, vanities, corners, tubs, and doorways. For that reason, adding extra tile is important.
Shower Wall Tile Calculator
For shower wall tile, measure the wall width and wall height. If you are tiling multiple shower walls, calculate each wall separately or enter one wall size and use the number of same areas.
Shower tile projects often need more careful planning because waterproofing, cuts around fixtures, niches, corners, and trim pieces can affect the final tile count.
This calculator estimates the main field tile count. It does not replace a detailed layout plan for trim, bullnose, accent tile, or specialty pieces.
Ceiling Tile Calculator
For ceiling tile, enter the ceiling length and width in feet. The calculator estimates the total ceiling area and calculates how many tiles are needed based on your tile size.
Ceiling tile projects can include drop ceiling panels, decorative ceiling tiles, or other square-foot-based ceiling materials. Make sure the tile size you enter matches the product you plan to buy.
Tile Calculator by Square Footage
Use the square footage option when you already know the total area. This is helpful if your room is irregular, if you measured multiple sections, or if another tool already gave you the square footage.
For irregular rooms, split the space into smaller rectangles, calculate each area, then add the totals together. Enter the final square footage into the calculator for a cleaner estimate.
What Tile Size Should You Enter?
Enter the size of one tile in inches. For example:
- 12 × 12 tile
- 12 × 24 tile
- 6 × 24 tile
- 8 × 8 tile
- 24 × 24 tile
The calculator uses the tile size to find how much area each tile covers. Larger tiles cover more area per piece, while smaller tiles require more individual tiles for the same space.
Tile Estimate Tips
Measure the space carefully before buying tile. Even a small measuring mistake can affect the final tile count.
Use a higher waste percentage for diagonal layouts, herringbone patterns, small rooms with many cuts, shower walls, bathrooms, and irregular spaces. Also keep a few extra tiles after the project for future repairs.
Before purchasing, check the tile box to see how many square feet it covers. Many tiles are sold by the box, not by individual piece, so you may need to round up to the next full box.
Accuracy Note
This tile calculator gives an estimate for planning purposes only. Actual tile needs can vary based on layout, cuts, pattern, grout spacing, broken tiles, room shape, installer method, and product packaging.
Always check the tile box coverage and compare it with your final project measurements before buying.
FAQs About Tile Calculation
How do I calculate how many tiles I need?
Measure the total area in square feet, find the area of one tile, then divide the total area by the tile area. Add extra tile for waste, cuts, mistakes, and future repairs.
How many tiles do I need for 100 square feet?
It depends on the tile size. If each tile covers 1 square foot, you need 100 tiles before waste. With 10% waste, you should plan for about 110 tiles.
Should I add extra tile?
Yes. For most projects, add at least 10% extra tile. For diagonal patterns, bathrooms, shower walls, or complex layouts, 15% extra may be safer.
Does this calculator work for shower walls?
Yes. Choose the shower wall option and enter the wall width and height. For multiple walls, calculate each wall separately or use the number of same areas field.
Does this calculator work for bathroom floors?
Yes. Choose the bathroom tile option and enter the bathroom length and width. Add extra waste because bathrooms usually have more cuts around fixtures and corners.
Can I use this calculator for ceiling tiles?
Yes. Choose the ceiling tile option and enter the ceiling length and width. Then enter the tile size to estimate how many ceiling tiles are needed.
Should I round up when buying tile?
Yes. Tile is usually sold by the box, and you should round up. Running short can be a problem if the tile style, color, or batch is no longer available.