Tile Calculator – How Many Tiles Do I Need? | CalcLoft
Find out exactly how many tiles and boxes you need for any floor or wall, with waste allowance included.
How to measure for tile
Multiply the room length by the width to get the floor area. For example, a 12 × 12 ft room is 144 sq ft. A standard 12 × 12 inch tile covers exactly 1 sq ft, so you need about 144 tiles — plus 10% waste for cuts and breakage, which brings it to roughly 158 tiles.
Why do I need extra tiles?
Waste allowance covers tiles you have to cut at walls and corners, tiles that break during cutting, and future repairs. For simple straight layouts 10% is enough; for diagonal layouts or rooms with many corners, use 15–20%.
How much grout do I need?
Grout depends on tile size and gap width. As a rough guide, smaller tiles and wider grout lines use more grout. A 25 lb bag of sanded grout covers about 100–150 sq ft with standard 12 × 12 tiles and 1/8-inch gaps.
Tile calculator FAQ
Should I buy extra boxes of tile?
Yes — buy at least one extra box. It covers breakage and lets you match the same dye lot if you need repairs later.
Does this calculator work for walls too?
Yes. Enter the wall width and height as the "length" and "width", and it works the same way.
What about large format tiles (24×24)?
Larger tiles usually need a higher waste allowance (15%+) because more cutting is required around edges.
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