Tile Calculator
Tile math looks like simple division and then bites at the edges: a 12 × 10 ft floor takes 120 one-foot tiles on paper, but real floors have cuts, breakages, and the half-tile that shatters on the nipper - the trade's answer is 10% overage, and the tile shop's unit is the box, not the tile. This calculator does the full chain: area and tile size in, exact tile count, the 10% waste margin applied, and boxes rounded up to whole cartons.
Both unit systems work - inches over feet, centimeters over meters - so imported tile specs and local room measurements coexist. The note keeps the spare-tile doctrine visible: dye lots change between production runs, so the leftovers from the 10% are your repair stock for the next decade. Dimensions are remembered on your device for comparing rooms and layouts.
How to use
- Enter the area's length and width, then the tile's length and width.
- Set tiles per box as printed on the carton.
- Read tiles to buy, boxes, and the spare count from the 10% waste.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles do I need with waste?
Compute area ÷ tile size for the exact count, then multiply by 1.10 for cuts and breakage - a 120-tile floor buys 132. Diagonal layouts and large-format tiles want 15% instead; straight grid layouts can live with 10%. The calculator applies 10% automatically.
How do I calculate tiles per box?
Cartons print their coverage or piece count - commonly 12 one-foot tiles per box, but it varies by manufacturer and tile size. Enter the printed number and the calculator converts your waste-included count into whole boxes, because nobody sells you 7 tiles.
What about grout joints and pattern layouts?
Grout spacing (typically 1/8 to 3/16 in) slightly reduces effective tile coverage, which the 10% waste comfortably absorbs. Herringbone and other offset patterns increase cutting waste - move to 15% by adding a box rather than trusting a tighter margin.
Should I keep leftover tiles?
Yes - dye lots change, and a future repair with a mismatched lot shows forever. Store spares flat in conditioned space; they are your cheapest insurance on the floor you just paid for.