Tile Calculator — How Many Tiles Do I Need?
Enter your floor or wall size and your tile size to get the exact number of tiles you need, including waste for your layout. No sign-up, no data stored.
Tiles needed
How tile count is calculated
The math is simple and exact — no assumptions to adjust for:
- Area = length × width.
- Tile area = tile size in inches converted to square feet (e.g., a 12×12 tile = 1 sq ft; a 12×24 tile = 2 sq ft).
- Exact count = area ÷ tile area.
- With waste = exact count × (1 + waste%).
- We round up to whole tiles, because you can't buy a fraction of a tile.
Waste covers cuts at walls and corners, broken tiles, and spare tiles for future repairs. Straight layouts need less; diagonal and patterned layouts need more.
Tile reference chart
Standard tile sizes and their coverage, plus waste by layout.
Tile size → square feet each
| Tile size | Sq ft per tile |
|---|---|
| 6" × 6" | 0.25 |
| 12" × 12" | 1.0 |
| 12" × 24" | 2.0 |
| 18" × 18" | 2.25 |
| 24" × 24" | 4.0 |
Waste by layout
| Layout | Add for waste |
|---|---|
| Straight / grid | ~10% |
| Diagonal | ~15% |
| Herringbone / pattern | ~15–20% |
Last updated: October 2026 · Tile sizes are standard US sizes. Waste rates reflect common industry practice. Always confirm with your supplier.
Tile calculator FAQ
Exactly 1 square foot. A 12×24 tile covers 2 sq ft; an 18×18 tile covers 2.25 sq ft; a 24×24 tile covers 4 sq ft.
Buy 10% extra for a straight layout, 15% for diagonal, and 15–20% for herringbone or patterned layouts.
Yes. Measure only the area you'll actually tile. Exclude cabinets, tubs, and fixed fixtures, but keep the waste percentage for cuts and spares.
Not by much. Grout lines take up a tiny amount of space, so the tile count stays essentially the same. Order using the area method above.
Buying one extra box is smart — tiles can be hard to match later if you run short, especially for patterns or discontinued lines.