Tiling a floor or a wall is a popular DIY project that can dramatically improve the look of a kitchen, bathroom, or entryway. The key to a successful and cost-effective tiling job is careful planning, and that starts with calculating the right amount of material. Ordering too few tiles can bring your project to a halt, while ordering too many leads to unnecessary expense. Our Tile Calculator is designed to help you accurately determine the number of tiles you need for your space, including a crucial waste factor, so you can start your project with confidence.
How to Use the Tile Calculator
Estimating the number of tiles you need is a simple process:
- Select Units: Choose whether you are working with imperial (feet and inches) or metric (meters and cm) measurements.
- Enter Area Dimensions: Input the length and width of the area you plan to tile.
- Enter Tile Dimensions: Input the length and width of a single tile.
- Set Wastage Factor: Specify the percentage of extra tiles you want to order for cuts and mistakes. 10% is a standard minimum.
- Calculate Tiles Needed: Click the "Calculate" button to see the total number of tiles required for your project.
The Two-Step Calculation for Tiling
Step 1: Calculate the Total Area
First, the calculator determines the total surface area you need to cover by multiplying the length and width of your space.
Total Area = Area Length × Area Width
If you are tiling an irregularly shaped room, you should break it down into smaller, regular rectangles. Calculate the area of each rectangle separately and then add them together to get your total area.
Step 2: Account for Tile Size and Waste
Next, the calculator finds the area of a single tile. It then divides the total area of your room by the area of one tile to find the base number of tiles needed. Finally, it incorporates the crucial wastage factor.
Total Tiles = (Total Area / Single Tile Area) × (1 + Wastage %)
The final number is always rounded up, since you can't buy a fraction of a tile.
Why the Waste Factor is Essential
Never order the exact number of tiles to cover your square footage. A waste factor is non-negotiable for any tiling project for several reasons:
- Cuts: You will have to cut tiles to fit along the edges of the room, around corners, and around obstacles like pipes or cabinets. Every cut creates waste.
- Breakage: Tiles are brittle. It's almost guaranteed that a few will crack or break during cutting or handling.
- Mistakes: A mis-measured cut can render a tile unusable. Having extra provides a buffer for error.
- Complex Patterns: Laying tiles in a diagonal, herringbone, or other complex pattern will require more intricate cuts and will generate significantly more waste than a simple grid pattern. For these layouts, a 15-20% waste factor is recommended.
- Future Repairs: Keeping a few extra tiles from the same batch is critical. If a tile gets cracked or chipped years down the road, having matching replacements will make the repair invisible. Dye lots can vary, so buying extra tiles later may result in a noticeable color mismatch.
Tips for a Successful Tiling Project
- Subfloor Preparation: Your subfloor must be perfectly clean, flat, and stable. Any movement or unevenness in the subfloor will eventually lead to cracked tiles or grout.
- Layout is Key: Before you mix any mortar, do a "dry lay" of your tiles. Lay them out on the floor without adhesive to plan your layout, check your lines, and see where your cuts will fall. This helps you avoid ending up with very thin, awkward-looking slivers of tile along a prominent wall.
- Use the Right Mortar and Grout: There are different types of thin-set mortar and grout for different applications (e.g., floors vs. walls, wet vs. dry areas). Ensure you have the correct products for your specific project.
- Invest in Good Tools: A good tile saw or snap cutter is essential for clean, accurate cuts. Using tile spacers will ensure your grout lines are consistent and professional-looking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of a waste factor should I use?
For a simple, rectangular room with a standard grid layout, a 10% waste factor is usually sufficient. For large-format tiles, complex patterns like herringbone, or rooms with many cuts, increase this to 15% or even 20%.
Does this calculator account for grout lines?
No, this calculator uses the exact tile dimensions. In reality, grout lines add a small amount of space between each tile. However, this difference is usually minor and is more than covered by the recommended waste factor. For practical estimating purposes, you do not need to add the grout line width to the tile dimensions.
Should I start tiling from the center of the room or from a corner?
It's almost always best to start from the center of the room. Find the center point and draw perpendicular layout lines. Starting from the center ensures that your layout is balanced and that the cut tiles along the opposite walls will be of a similar and aesthetically pleasing size, avoiding tiny slivers on one side.