Tiles are sold by the box, and shops rarely take back opened boxes. This calculator tells you how many tiles and boxes to buy for a room, including a little extra for cutting at the edges and pieces that break.
How to use the tile calculator
- Enter the room length and width in feet.
- Choose the tile size.
- Set the extra for cutting and breakage: 5 to 10% for a straight layout, 10 to 15% for a diagonal layout or a room with many corners.
- Enter how many tiles are in one box (it is printed on the box).
For a wall, enter its width and height instead of length and width, and subtract doors and windows.
How it is calculated
Area of one tile = tile length × tile width
Tiles (exact) = floor area ÷ area of one tile
Tiles to buy = tiles (exact) × (1 + extra %), rounded up
Boxes = tiles to buy ÷ tiles per box, rounded up| Tile size | Covers per tile |
|---|---|
| 300 × 300 mm (1 × 1 ft) | 0.97 sq ft |
| 300 × 600 mm (1 × 2 ft) | 1.94 sq ft |
| 600 × 600 mm (2 × 2 ft) | 3.88 sq ft |
| 800 × 800 mm | 6.89 sq ft |
| 600 × 1200 mm (2 × 4 ft) | 7.75 sq ft |
Example
A room 12 ft × 10 ft with 600 × 600 mm tiles, 10% extra and 4 tiles per box:
- Floor area: 120 sq ft (11.15 m²)
- Exact tiles: 120 ÷ 3.875 = 30.97, so 31
- With 10% extra: 35 tiles
- Boxes: 35 ÷ 4 = 9 boxes
Tips
- Buy all tiles from the same batch (the lot number is on the box). Shades can differ between batches.
- Keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.
- Large tiles need a flatter floor and cost more to cut, so the extra percentage matters more.
FAQ
How many 2×2 tiles are needed for 100 sq ft?
About 26 tiles exactly, or 29 with 10% extra. Note that 600 × 600 mm tiles are slightly smaller than a true 2 × 2 ft.
Why add extra tiles?
Tiles at the edges must be cut, and some break during cutting or transport. Without extra you may run short, and a later batch may not match in shade.
How much tile adhesive or cement do I need?
It depends on the method and tile size. Ask your tile shop or mason for the product's coverage per bag.