How many tiles do I need?
The short answer: measure your area, divide by the size of one tile, then add 10% for waste. Use the calculator below for an exact number, or check the charts further down.
Tile Calculator
Find out how many tiles you need for your project, including waste.
Standard is 10%. Use 15% for diagonal patterns or complex layouts.
You'll need
0 tiles
Enter dimensions to calculate
The simple formula
To calculate tiles by hand:
- Measure your area (length × width) to get total square feet.
- Calculate the size of one tile in square feet (e.g. 12×12 inch = 1 sq ft).
- Divide total area by tile area to get base tile count.
- Multiply by 1.10 for 10% waste, or 1.15 for diagonal/complex layouts.
- Round up to whole tiles or boxes.
How many tiles per square foot?
This depends entirely on tile size. Here's how many tiles cover one square foot for common sizes:
| Tile size | Tiles per sq ft | Sq ft per tile |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 inch | 9 | 0.11 |
| 6 × 6 inch | 4 | 0.25 |
| 12 × 12 inch | 1 | 1.00 |
| 12 × 24 inch | 0.5 | 2.00 |
| 18 × 18 inch | 0.44 | 2.25 |
| 24 × 24 inch | 0.25 | 4.00 |
Tiles needed for common room sizes
Using 12×12 inch tiles with 10% waste added. Round up to full boxes when buying.
| Area | Square feet | Tiles (with 10% waste) |
|---|---|---|
| Small bathroom | 40 sq ft | 44 tiles |
| Standard bathroom | 50 sq ft | 55 tiles |
| Small kitchen | 100 sq ft | 110 tiles |
| Average room | 200 sq ft | 220 tiles |
| Large room | 300 sq ft | 330 tiles |
| Open floor area | 500 sq ft | 550 tiles |
How many 12×24 tiles for 100 square feet?
A 12×24 inch tile covers 2 square feet. For 100 square feet, you need 50 tiles for exact coverage. Adding 10% waste brings it to 55 tiles. For larger format tiles like 12×24, many installers recommend 15% waste because longer tiles are more likely to break during cutting — that would be 58 tiles.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles will I need for my floor?
Measure the floor's length and width in feet, multiply them for square footage, then divide by the coverage of your chosen tile. Always add 10–15% for waste. The calculator above does this automatically.
Why do I need extra tiles for waste?
Tiles get cut around edges, walls, fixtures, and corners. Some tiles also break during cutting or have visible defects. The waste factor accounts for all of this.
What if my room isn't a perfect rectangle?
Break the area into rectangles and calculate each one separately. Add the results together. For circular or unusual shapes, calculate the bounding rectangle and add 10% extra.
How do I calculate tiles for a wall instead of a floor?
The method is identical: measure the wall's height and width in feet, multiply for square footage, then divide by tile coverage. Walls often need more cuts around windows and outlets, so lean toward 15% waste.
Should I buy extra for future repairs?
Yes — buy 1–2 extra boxes beyond your calculation. Tile production runs change over years, and matching dye lots later is nearly impossible. Better to have a few spares stored.
How many peel and stick tiles do I need?
The same formula applies. Measure your area, divide by the size of one peel-and-stick tile, and add 10% for waste. Most peel-and-stick tiles come in 12×12 inch sheets, so one sheet covers roughly one square foot.