Project Parameters
Net area of floor, shower wall, or kitchen backsplash.
Width of individual tile piece in inches.
Length of individual tile piece in inches.
Number of tiles packed inside one carton (check packaging).
Instant Estimate
Cartons / Boxes to Order
8 tiles per box (16 sq ft/box).
Grout Needed
Standard 1/8 inch grout joints.
Thinset Mortar (50 lb bags)
Based on standard 1/2 in × 1/2 in trowel notch coverage.
Gross Ordered Area
See it before you build
Upload a photo of your home and preview your project in 30+ styles with AI. Free designs, no credit card.
Guide
How to calculate tiles for floors and walls
Tiling requires calculating the surface area of individual tiles in square feet ((Width × Length) / 144) and adding a minimum 10% waste buffer to account for edge cuts around drains, pipes, and corners.
Find Net Surface Area
Measure total length and height of walls or floors to obtain total square feet.
Calculate Tile Piece Area
Multiply tile width by tile length in inches and divide by 144. A 12x24 tile equals 2.0 sq ft.
Add Cutting Waste & Divide
Multiply net area by 1.10 (or 1.15 for herringbone) and divide by the single tile area.
Mathematics
Formulas used
Single Tile Area
(Tile Width in × Tile Length in) / 144Square foot coverage of a single tile unit.
Total Tiles Needed
Ceil((Surface Area × (1 + Waste %)) / Single Tile Area)Total individual tile pieces to purchase.
Answers & FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much extra tile should I order for waste?▼
Plan for 10% waste for standard square or rectangular tile. For subway tile in a 50% offset or herringbone, order 15% to 20% extra.
How much does a 50 lb bag of mortar cover?▼
A 50 lb bag of thinset mortar typically covers 40 to 50 square feet when applied with a 1/4" × 3/8" notched trowel.