Tile Square Footage Calculator

Calculate exactly how many tiles you need for any floor or wall, with grout spacing and waste factor built in.

Tile Calculator

Room Length (ft)

Room Width (ft)

Tile Width (in)

Tile Height (in)

Grout Width (in)

Waste (%)

Room Area

120.00

sq ft

Tile Coverage

1.00

sq ft per tile

Tiles Needed

120

exact count

With Waste

132

+10% waste

What is Tile Square Footage Calculator?

A tile square footage calculator determines how many individual tiles you need to cover a given floor or wall area. It takes the room dimensions, individual tile size, grout line width, and waste factor to produce an exact tile count.

This tool exists because tiles are sold by the box, and each box covers a specific square footage. Getting the count wrong means either running short mid-project (and risking a batch color difference) or over-buying and wasting money. The calculator factors in grout spacing — which slightly reduces the number of tiles per square foot — and adds the appropriate waste margin.

Tile waste depends on installation pattern. Straight-lay patterns need 10% waste, diagonal patterns need 15%, and mosaic or herringbone patterns need up to 20%. Complex room shapes with many cuts also increase waste.

Tile Square Footage Calculator Formula

Tiles = ⌈Room Area ÷ Tile Coverage⌉ × (1 + Waste%)

Step 1: Calculate room area: Length × Width. A 12 × 10 ft room = 120 sq ft.

Step 2: Calculate tile coverage: (Tile Width + Grout) × (Tile Height + Grout) ÷ 144. A 12×12 inch tile with 1/8" grout = (12.125 × 12.125) ÷ 144 = 1.021 sq ft per tile.

Step 3: Divide and add waste: 120 ÷ 1.021 = 118 tiles → with 10% waste = 130 tiles. Round up to full box quantities.

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Sq Ft to Sq Meters

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate how many tiles I need?

Measure the room area (Length × Width), calculate each tile's coverage area (tile width × tile height + grout width), then divide room area by tile coverage area. Add 10% waste for straight layouts or 15% for diagonal patterns.

What is the standard grout width for tiles?

Standard grout widths are 1/16 inch (1.5mm) for rectified tiles, 1/8 inch (3mm) for standard floor tiles, and 3/16 inch (5mm) for natural stone. Wider grout lines mean you need slightly fewer tiles per square foot.

How much tile waste should I allow?

Allow 10% waste for standard straight-lay installations, 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns, and 20% for complex mosaic patterns. Rooms with many cuts (small rooms, L-shapes) need more waste.

How do I calculate tiles for a backsplash?

Measure the backsplash area (width × height). Subtract the area of any outlets or windows. Enter the dimensions in this calculator with your tile size. Standard kitchen backsplash is 4 ft wide × 18 inches tall = 6 sq ft per section.

How many 12×12 tiles do I need for 100 sq ft?

A 12×12 inch tile covers 1 sq ft. For 100 sq ft with 10% waste, you need 110 tiles. With 1/8 inch grout lines, the effective coverage is slightly larger, so you may need 108 tiles. Always round up and buy full boxes.