TryBuildCalc

Tile Calculator (Floor & Wall Tile Estimator)

Estimate floor or wall tiles with wastage, boxes, and cost.

Inputs

Section 1: Area & Tile Size

Multiple Areas (e.g. Floor + Wall)?
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Please enter valid floor length

Please enter valid floor width

Common tile sizes

ℹ️Leave blank to count tiles edge-to-edge with no gap. Fills into the tile count itself, not just the area.

ℹ️Total footprint of windows, built-in units, or pillars that won't be tiled — deducted from the full-tile count, not the room area.

Tile Grout Guide →

Section 2: Layout Pattern & Wastage

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ℹ️Auto-suggests a matching wastage % (also factoring in room size and tile size) — pick a value to override, and later edits won't overwrite your choice. Choose Custom for full manual control.

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ℹ️Auto-suggested from layout pattern, room size, and tile size — pick a value to override.

Tile Wastage Guide →

Section 3: Boxes

ℹ️Used to show the recommended number of boxes and (if entered) box-based cost.

Section 4: Cost

Enable Cost Estimation?

Enter dimensions to see material requirements

Tile Layout VisualizationLength: Floor LengthWidth: Floor WidthGrey = Full tilesRed = Cut tilesDiagram simplified for clarity (not to scale)

Tile Calculator: How Many Tiles, Boxes & What Will It Cost?

If you're asking "how many tiles do I need" or "how many boxes should I order," this calculator answers both from the same inputs. Most tile calculators divide room area by tile area and call it done — that approach consistently under-estimates because it ignores tiles cut at room edges, which must be purchased as full tiles even though only part of each one is used. This calculator uses a layout-based method instead: it counts full tiles that fit within the room grid, then adds the partial tiles required along each edge separately.

For example, a 5.0 × 4.0 m room with 600 × 600 mm tiles needs 9 tile positions along the length and 7 across the width — 63 tiles total, made up of 48 full tiles, 14 edge-cut tiles, and 1 corner tile where both edges are cut at once. The simple area method gives 56 — a 13% gap that's the difference between ordering enough and running short mid-installation.

What makes this calculator different:

Most tile calculators leave wastage as a flat percentage you have to guess. This one adds a Layout Pattern selector (straight grid, offset/brick-bond, diagonal, herringbone) that auto-suggests a matching wastage — also factoring in room size and tile size, since small rooms and large-format tiles both need more — and a Multiple Areas mode that combines a floor and a wall, or several rooms with different tile sizes, into one tile/box/cost total in a single pass.

Applicable standards:

  • Tile wear (PEI) and anti-slip (R-value) ratings govern which product to use for a given floor or wall application, but don't change this calculator's quantity math
  • Movement joints are typically required at a maximum of 4.5m in each direction for floor tiling — outside this calculator's scope
  • This calculator estimates material quantity and cost only, not tile selection, substrate suitability, or installation method

How tile quantity is calculated

Tile quantity is calculated by first finding the floor or wall area, then the area covered by one tile. The calculator then uses a layout-based method to estimate full tiles, edge cut tiles, wastage, box count, and optional cost.

Step 1 - Calculate surface area

Area = Length x Width

Multiple Areas = Sum of every area's tiles above, combined into one total

Switching on Multiple Areas lets you combine floor, wall, or several rooms with different tile sizes and layout patterns in one run — each area keeps its own layout and wastage.

Step 2 - Calculate tile layout

Tiles per Row = Width / Tile Width

Rows Required = Length / Tile Length

Full Tiles = Tiles per Row x Rows Required

This checks how many tiles fit across the width and how many rows are needed along the length — a more practical estimate than area-only calculation.

Step 3 - Add edge cut tiles

Total Tile Positions = ROUND UP(Width / Tile Width) x ROUND UP(Length / Tile Length)

Base Tiles Required = Total Tile Positions (Full Tiles + Cut Tiles, including any corner tile)

Rounding each direction up (not down) before multiplying automatically counts a cut tile for any edge that doesn't divide evenly — including the corner tile where both the width and length edges need a cut at once.

If you enter an optional Grout Joint Width, it's added to both the tile size and the room dimension in each direction before rounding (Width / Tile Width becomes (Width + Joint) / (Tile Width + Joint)) — so the joint between tiles is included in the tile count itself, not just left as an area-only detail for the grout calculator. Leave it blank to count tiles edge-to-edge with no gap, which is what every worked example on this page uses.

Step 4 - Deduct fixed obstacles (optional)

Obstacle Tiles = ROUND UP(Obstacle Area / Tile Area)

Adjusted Full Tiles = Full Tiles - Obstacle Tiles (minimum zero)

A fixed obstacle (window, built-in wardrobe, kitchen island, pillar) whose footprint won't be tiled is deducted from the full-tile count only, not the edge cut tiles — this is an area-based approximation, the same simplification most calculators that support obstacle deduction make, since exact per-tile geometric exclusion would need the obstacle's on-floor position, not just its area.

Step 5 - Add wastage

Recommended Tiles = ceil(Base Tiles Required x (1 + Wastage / 100))

Wastage is auto-suggested from the layout pattern, room size, and tile size (small rooms and large-format tiles both push it higher) — always overridable.

Step 6 - Convert to boxes and cost

Boxes Required = ceil(Recommended Tiles / Tiles per Box)

Cost = Recommended Tiles x Price per Tile, or Boxes x Price per Box

Cost only appears when Enable Cost Estimation is switched on and a price is entered.

Real-World Tile Quantity Calculation Example

This example uses the active calculator inputs and follows the same steps from the formula section. Each table shows the value used, the formula or substitution applied, and the result produced by the calculator.

Input Values Used

InputValue
Tile work typeFloor
Floor Length5 m
Floor Width4 m
Tile size600 mm × 600 mm
Layout patternStraight grid (most common)
Wastage10%
Tiles per box10

Step 1 — Calculate Floor Area

CalculationFormula / SubstitutionResult
Floor Area5 m × 4 m20.00 m² (215.28 sq ft)

Step 2 — Calculate Tile Layout

CalculationFormula / SubstitutionResult
Full tile positions (width / length)FLOOR(4 m ÷ 600 mm) | FLOOR(5 m ÷ 600 mm)6 × 8
Full tiles6 × 848 tiles
Total tile positions (rounded up)ROUND UP(4 m ÷ 600 mm) × ROUND UP(5 m ÷ 600 mm) = 7 × 963 tiles
Cut tilesTotal Tile Positions − Full Tiles = 63 − 48Includes 1 corner tile — the width edge and the length edge are both cut, so the corner cell is cut on two sides at once, not a free extension of either edge strip.15 tiles
Base tiles requiredFull Tiles + Cut Tiles63 tiles

Step 3 — Add Wastage

CalculationFormula / SubstitutionResult
Wastage allowance63 × (10 ÷ 100)6.30 tiles
Extra tiles addedRecommended Tiles − Base Tiles Required7 tiles
Recommended tilesRound up 69.3070 tiles

Step 4 — Convert to Boxes and Cost

CalculationFormula / SubstitutionResult
Boxes required70 ÷ 107 boxes
Estimated cost70 × ₹120₹8,400.00

Therefore, for the current input values, the recommended tile purchase quantity is 70 tiles or 7 boxes including 10% wastage.

Essential Checklist+

Complete these critical checks before approving the work or proceeding to the next construction stage.

✓18 Inspection Points
✓5 Verification Categories
✓Area Measurement+
  • Room dimensions were measured on site — length and width at floor or wall level as applicable.
  • For wall tiling, each wall was measured separately and door and window openings were deducted.
  • For L-shaped or irregular rooms, the area was split into rectangles and summed.
  • Dimensions were entered in consistent units.
✓Layout Pattern and Wastage+
  • The layout pattern — straight grid, offset/brick-bond, or diagonal — was confirmed before calculating tile quantity.
  • Diagonal (45°) layouts have wastage of 15–20% applied — every perimeter tile is cut and the offcut cannot be reused.
  • Offset or brick-bond layouts have wastage of 12–15% applied.
  • Straight grid layouts in large rectangular rooms have wastage of 10% applied.
  • Small rooms under 5 m² have wastage increased to 15–20% regardless of layout — the perimeter-to-field ratio is high.
  • Large format tiles (600mm or larger) have at least 12–15% wastage for breakage during cutting.
✓Tile Selection+
  • Tile PEI wear rating is appropriate for the location — PEI 1–2 for walls only, PEI 3 for light residential floors, PEI 4–5 for heavy residential and commercial.
  • Anti-slip rating (R-value or wet pendulum) is confirmed for wet area floors — minimum R10 for bathrooms, R11 for outdoor.
  • All tiles were ordered from the same production lot (batch number) — colour and shade vary between lots.
✓Substrate and Preparation+
  • The substrate (floor screed or wall plaster) was checked for flatness — maximum 3mm deviation under a 2m straight-edge for standard tiles.
  • The substrate was clean, dry, and free of dust, oil, paint, or curing compounds before tiling.
  • Wet areas (bathrooms, shower trays) had a waterproofing membrane applied and cured before tiling started.
  • Movement joints were specified at maximum 4.5m in each direction for floor tiling and at all perimeters.
✓Purchase+
  • The quantity including wastage — not the net area — was used for ordering.
Full QC Checklist+

Verify tile layout, quantities, substrate, joints, cutting, levels, and installation quality.

✓27 Inspection Points
✓5 Verification Categories
✓Area Measurement+
  • Room dimensions were measured on site — length and width at floor or wall level as applicable.
  • For floor tiling, fixed obstructions (toilet base, bath panel, kitchen island) were measured and entered in Fixed Obstacles Area — not silently left in the gross area.
  • For wall tiling, each wall was measured separately and door and window openings were deducted.
  • For L-shaped or irregular rooms, the area was split into rectangles and summed.
  • Dimensions were entered in consistent units.
✓Layout Pattern and Wastage+
  • The layout pattern — straight grid, offset/brick-bond, or diagonal — was confirmed before calculating tile quantity.
  • Diagonal (45°) layouts have wastage of 15–20% applied — every perimeter tile is cut and the offcut cannot be reused.
  • Offset or brick-bond layouts have wastage of 12–15% applied.
  • Straight grid layouts in large rectangular rooms have wastage of 10% applied.
  • Small rooms under 5 m² have wastage increased to 15–20% regardless of layout — the perimeter-to-field ratio is high.
  • Large format tiles (600mm or larger) have at least 12–15% wastage for breakage during cutting.
  • Natural stone tiles have at least 20% wastage — vein matching, directional cuts, and natural defects generate high offcut volumes.
✓Tile Selection+
  • Tile PEI wear rating is appropriate for the location — PEI 1–2 for walls only, PEI 3 for light residential floors, PEI 4–5 for heavy residential and commercial.
  • Anti-slip rating (R-value or wet pendulum) is confirmed for wet area floors — minimum R10 for bathrooms, R11 for outdoor.
  • Floor tile thickness is sufficient for the application — 8–10mm for residential floors, 12mm for heavy use.
  • Tile rectification (precision-cut edges) was confirmed if joint widths under 2mm are intended.
  • All tiles were ordered from the same production lot (batch number) — colour and shade vary between lots.
  • A minimum of 5% extra tiles was retained after installation for future replacement of damaged tiles.
✓Substrate and Preparation+
  • The substrate (floor screed or wall plaster) was checked for flatness — maximum 3mm deviation under a 2m straight-edge for standard tiles.
  • The substrate was clean, dry, and free of dust, oil, paint, or curing compounds before tiling.
  • Wet areas (bathrooms, shower trays) had a waterproofing membrane applied and cured before tiling started.
  • Floor screed strength was confirmed adequate — minimum 15–20 N/mm² before tiling on a screed.
  • Movement joints were specified at maximum 4.5m in each direction for floor tiling and at all perimeters.
✓Purchase+
  • The quantity including wastage — not the net area — was used for ordering.
  • Tile sizes were confirmed physically from the packaging — nominal and actual tile sizes differ by the joint allowance.
  • Adhesive, grout, and movement joint sealant quantities were calculated separately using the respective calculators.
  • Delivery charges and taxes were confirmed separately.

Quick tile calculation reference

Tile SizeApprox Tiles per m²Approx Tiles per 100 sq ftTypical Tiles per Box
300 × 300 mm11.1110310 - 16 tiles
400 × 400 mm6.25586 tiles
450 × 450 mm4.94466 tiles
600 × 600 mm2.78264 tiles
800 × 800 mm1.56152 - 3 tiles
600 × 1200 mm1.39132 tiles

Suggested wastage by layout pattern

Layout PatternBase Wastage
Straight grid (most common)10%
Offset / brick-bond13%
Diagonal (45°)18%
Herringbone / basket-weave18%

Small rooms under 5 m², tiles 600mm or larger, and natural stone all push the suggested wastage higher than the base pattern figure — the calculator combines these automatically.

When should you use this tile calculator?

Use this calculator any time you need to estimate tile quantity before purchasing — whether tiling a single bathroom or planning an entire house.

Planning stage

  • Estimating tile quantity and box count before visiting a showroom or placing an order
  • Comparing how different tile sizes affect the number of tiles and cutting requirements for your room
  • Checking whether your room dimensions produce a good tile fit — or whether a small size adjustment avoids narrow edge cuts
  • Budgeting total tile cost by entering price per tile or per box

Before installation

  • Confirming final order quantity — including the correct wastage for your layout pattern
  • Estimating separately for each room when tile sizes or layouts differ, or combining them with Multiple Areas
  • Verifying a contractor's tile quantity estimate before approving a purchase order

Practical Tile Tips

  • Dry-lay a row of tiles across the room before committing to a starting point — centering the layout often turns one narrow, ugly cut strip into two equal, less noticeable cuts on opposite walls.
  • Check room dimensions against the tile size before ordering — a 5-10mm size adjustment in tile choice can sometimes eliminate an entire row of edge cuts.
  • Order all tiles from the same production batch (lot number), not just the same colour code — shade varies between batches even for identical product codes.
  • Keep 3-5 spare tiles from the installation batch after the job is done — a future repair with a different batch will visibly mismatch.
  • For diagonal or herringbone layouts, budget the higher wastage percentage from the start rather than discovering the shortfall mid-installation.

Common Mistakes

  • Using simple area ÷ tile area instead of the layout method — this consistently under-counts because it ignores tiles cut at room edges, which must still be purchased whole.
  • Applying straight-grid wastage (8-10%) to a diagonal or herringbone layout — every perimeter tile is cut in these patterns, and the offcut usually can't be reused.
  • Ignoring that large-format tiles (600mm+) need a higher wastage allowance for breakage during cutting — the calculator's tile-size-aware suggestion accounts for this automatically.
  • Ordering tiles from the net area with no wastage at all — perimeter cuts and breakage are never free.
  • Buying tiles from more than one production batch for a visible area — shade and texture can vary batch to batch even for the same product code.
  • Forgetting to calculate adhesive and grout separately — this calculator estimates tile count only.

Limitations of this tile calculator

This calculator uses a layout-based method that accounts for full tiles, edge cut tiles, and wastage. It produces accurate estimates for rectangular rooms with standard straight-grid layouts. The following conditions are outside its scope and require adjustment before ordering.

  • Irregular room shapes — L-shaped rooms, bay windows, alcoves, or column projections should be split into rectangles and calculated separately, or entered as separate areas in Multiple Areas mode.
  • Diagonal and herringbone layouts — the layout math still assumes straight-grid tile counting; the Layout Pattern selector adjusts wastage to compensate, but doesn't recompute cut-tile geometry for the pattern itself.
  • Natural stone tiles — marble, granite, slate, and similar materials need 20%+ wastage for vein matching, directional cuts, and natural defects — override the suggested wastage manually for these.
  • Mixed tile sizes in one room — Versailles patterns and feature inlays use multiple tile sizes; calculate each size as a separate area.
  • Grout and adhesive quantities — this calculator estimates tile count only. Use the Grout Calculator and Tile Adhesive Calculator for those materials.
  • Cuts around fixtures — cuts around toilet bases, drain outlets, pipes, and built-in furniture aren't modelled; add 3-5% extra wastage in rooms with many such features.

Related Construction Calculators

You may also find these calculators useful for the same tiling job:

Disclaimer: This calculator provides approximate results for planning and estimation purposes only. Actual requirements may vary based on site conditions, materials, workmanship, and local building regulations. Always consult a qualified engineer, architect, or construction professional before making final decisions.

FAQ

Tiles per m² depends entirely on tile size. Common values: 300×300mm = 11.1 tiles/m²; 400×400mm = 6.25 tiles/m²; 600×600mm = 2.78 tiles/m²; 800×800mm = 1.56 tiles/m². In imperial: 12×12 inch = 10.76 tiles/m²; 18×18 inch = 4.78 tiles/m²; 24×24 inch = 2.69 tiles/m². These are base counts before wastage — always add 10–15% on top for edge cuts and breakage. A 20 m² room with 600×600mm tiles needs approximately 62–65 tiles after 10% wastage.
The most accurate method is the layout method — not simple area division. Step 1: divide room width by tile width and round UP to get total tile positions across the width (not down — a partial position still needs a whole cut tile). Step 2: do the same for room length ÷ tile length to get total positions along the length. Step 3: multiply the two totals for the overall tile count — this automatically includes a corner tile wherever both the width and the length need a cut, since that corner cell is genuinely a separate cut tile, not a free extension of either edge strip. Step 4: apply wastage (10% for standard rooms, more for diagonal layouts or large tiles). Step 5: divide by tiles per box and round up. This calculator performs all of these steps automatically.
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