Tile Calculator
Calculate the number of tiles needed to cover a floor. Includes waste factor for cuts and breakage.
Formula & Explanation
The number of tiles needed is calculated as: 1. Calculate room area: Area = Length × Width (in square feet) 2. Calculate tile area: Tile Area = (Width × Height) ÷ 144 (converting from square inches to square feet) 3. Calculate tiles needed: Tiles = Ceiling(Room Area ÷ Tile Area × (1 + Waste Factor)) The waste factor accounts for cuts at edges, corners, and occasional breakage. It is expressed as a decimal (0.10 for 10%, 0.15 for 15%, etc.).
Assumptions
- •Room is rectangular with perpendicular walls
- •All measurements are in feet for room dimensions and inches for tile dimensions
- •Tile dimensions are uniform (all tiles are the same size)
- •Waste factor of 10% is typical for straight lay patterns
- •Waste factor of 15% is recommended for diagonal or herringbone patterns
- •Result is rounded up since you cannot purchase partial tiles
- •Calculations do not account for complex room shapes or non-rectangular spaces
Example Calculation
A 10ft × 10ft room (100 sqft) with 12×12 inch tiles (1 sqft each) needs 100 tiles base. With 10% waste for cuts and breakage, purchase 110 tiles.
Inputs
Results
Common Tile Sizes
| size | coverage | tilesPerSqft |
|---|---|---|
| 6 × 6 inches | 0.25 sqft/tile | 4 tiles |
| 8 × 8 inches | 0.44 sqft/tile | 2.25 tiles |
| 12 × 12 inches | 1 sqft/tile | 1 tile |
| 12 × 24 inches | 2 sqft/tile | 0.5 tiles |
| 18 × 18 inches | 2.25 sqft/tile | 0.44 tiles |
| 24 × 24 inches | 4 sqft/tile | 0.25 tiles |
Frequently Asked Questions
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