TryBuildCalcTile Calculator (Floor & Wall Tile Estimator)
Estimate floor or wall tiles with wastage, boxes, and cost.
Use this tile calculator to estimate floor or wall tiles, boxes, wastage, cut tiles, and material cost for tiling work.
🕒 Last updated: June 27, 2026
Inputs
Floor Inputs
Please enter valid floor length
Please enter valid floor width
Tile Inputs
Common tile sizes
Cost Inputs
ℹ️Used only to show the recommended number of boxes.
Read the Tile Wastage Guide →
Enter dimensions to see material requirements
How this tile calculator works
Most tile calculators divide room area by tile area and call it done. That approach consistently under-estimates — it ignores the 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 produces 48 full tiles in the grid — 8 columns × 6 rows. Because neither dimension divides evenly by 600 mm, a cut tile is needed along the entire right edge (6 tiles) and the entire bottom edge (8 tiles), giving 62 tiles before wastage. The simple area method gives 56. That 11% gap is the difference between ordering enough and running short mid-installation.
The calculator then applies a wastage percentage on top of the layout count to cover breakage during cutting and handling losses. The correct wastage depends on the layout pattern — 8–10% for a straight grid, 12–15% for offset or brick-bond, 15–20% for a diagonal layout where every perimeter tile is cut at 45° and the triangular offcut cannot be reused. Select the pattern that matches your installation before reading the result.
What this calculator estimates
- Total tiles required — full tiles plus edge cut tiles, with wastage
- Number of boxes to order, based on tiles per box
- Total material cost if price per tile is entered
- A tile layout diagram showing the grid, cut tiles, and room dimensions
One important note on ordering
Always order all tiles from the same production batch. Tiles from different batches vary in shade even for the same colour code — a mismatch is visible under normal lighting and cannot be corrected without relaying the entire area. Order slightly more than the calculator result and keep the surplus sealed and labelled after installation. A few spare tiles from the original batch are the only reliable source of a matching replacement if a tile is damaged in the future.
How Is Tile Quantity Calculated?
Tile quantity is calculated by first finding the floor or wall area, then calculating the area covered by one tile. After that, the calculator uses a layout-based method to estimate full tiles, edge cut tiles, wastage, box count, and optional material cost.
Step 1 — Calculate Surface Area
Area = Length × Width
For floor: Floor Area = Floor Length × Floor Width
For wall: Wall Area = Wall Length × Wall Height
This gives the total area that needs to be covered with tiles. The calculator converts the entered dimensions into square metres and also shows the equivalent area in square feet.
Step 2 — Calculate One Tile Area
Tile Area = Tile Length × Tile Width
Tile dimensions are converted internally before area calculation.
Tile area tells how much surface is covered by one tile. Larger tiles cover more area, so fewer pieces are required for the same floor or wall area.
Step 3 — Calculate Tile Layout
Tiles per Row = Floor Width ÷ Tile Width
Rows Required = Floor Length ÷ Tile Length
This layout method checks how many tiles fit across the width or height and how many rows are needed along the length. This gives a more practical estimate than area-only calculation.
Step 4 — Calculate Full Tiles
Full Tiles = Tiles per Row × Rows Required
Full tiles are the tiles that fit completely in the layout without cutting.
Step 5 — Add Estimated Cut Tiles
Estimated Cut Tiles = Edge tiles required along remaining sides
Base Tiles Required = Full Tiles + Estimated Cut Tiles
If the floor or wall dimensions are not exact multiples of the selected tile size, additional tiles are required for edge cuts. These are included before applying wastage.
Step 6 — Add Wastage
Recommended Tiles = Base Tiles Required × (1 + Wastage % ÷ 100)
Wastage covers cutting loss, breakage, damaged pieces, shade matching, and future replacement. Use higher wastage for diagonal, staggered, or irregular layouts.
Step 7 — Convert to Boxes and Cost
Boxes Required = Recommended Tiles ÷ Tiles per Box, rounded up
Cost = Recommended Tiles × Price per Tile
or
Cost = Boxes Required × Price per Box
Since tiles are usually purchased in boxes, the calculator converts the recommended tile quantity into box count when tiles per box is entered. Cost is shown only when price details are provided.
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
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Tile work type | Floor |
| Floor Length | 5 m |
| Floor Width | 4 m |
| Tile size | 600 mm × 600 mm |
| Wastage | 10% |
| Tiles per box | 10 |
| Price input | Price per Tile |
Step 1 — Calculate Floor Area
First, the calculator multiplies the entered floor length by the entered floor width. This gives the total area that needs to be covered with tiles.
| Calculation | Formula / Substitution | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Floor Area | Floor Length × Floor Width | Area formula |
| Substitution | 5 m × 4 m | 20.00 m² |
| Area in sq ft | m² converted to sq ft | 215.28 sq ft |
Step 2 — Calculate One Tile Area
Next, the calculator calculates how much area is covered by one tile. Tile dimensions are converted internally before calculating tile area in square metres.
| Calculation | Formula / Substitution | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tile area | Tile Length × Tile Width | Tile area formula |
| Substitution | 600 mm × 600 mm | 0.3600 m² |
| Tile area in sq ft | m² converted to sq ft | 3.88 sq ft |
Step 3 — Calculate Tile Layout
The calculator then checks how many tiles fit across the floor width and how many rows are needed along the floor length. This layout step makes the estimate more practical than simple area division.
| Calculation | Formula / Substitution | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles per row | Floor Width ÷ Tile Width 4 m ÷ 600 mm | 6 tiles |
| Rows required | Floor Length ÷ Tile Length 5 m ÷ 600 mm | 8 rows |
Step 4 — Calculate Full Tiles
Full tiles are tiles that fit completely in the layout without cutting. The calculator multiplies the number of tiles per row by the number of rows required.
| Calculation | Formula / Substitution | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Full tiles | Full Tiles = Tiles per Row × Rows Required Full Tiles = 6 × 8 | 48 tiles |
Step 5 — Add Estimated Cut Tiles
If the selected tile size does not exactly divide the floor or wall dimensions, some tiles must be cut along the edges. These estimated cut tiles are added to the full tile count.
| Calculation | Formula / Substitution | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated cut tiles | Edge cut tiles required after layout fitting Width/height edge cut: Yes Length edge cut: Yes | 14 tiles |
| Base tiles required | Base Tiles Required = Full Tiles + Estimated Cut Tiles Base Tiles Required = 48 + 14 | 62 tiles |
Step 6 — Add Wastage
Wastage is added after calculating the base tile quantity. It covers cutting loss, breakage, damaged pieces, shade matching, and a few extra tiles for future repair or replacement.
| Calculation | Formula / Substitution | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Wastage allowance | Wastage Allowance = Base Tiles Required × (Wastage % ÷ 100) Wastage Allowance = 62 × (10 ÷ 100) | 6.20 tiles |
| Tiles before rounding | Tiles before rounding = Base Tiles Required + Wastage Allowance Tiles before rounding = 62 + 6.20 | 68.20 tiles |
| Extra tiles added | Extra Tiles = Recommended Tiles − Base Tiles Required Extra Tiles = 69 − 62 | 7 tiles |
| Recommended tiles | Recommended Tiles = Round up Tiles before rounding Recommended Tiles = Round up 68.20 | 69 tiles |
Step 7 — Convert to Boxes and Cost
Finally, the calculator converts the recommended tile quantity into boxes if tiles per box is entered. If price is entered, it also estimates the material cost.
| Calculation | Formula / Substitution | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Boxes required | Boxes Required = Recommended Tiles ÷ Tiles per Box Boxes Required = 69 ÷ 10 | 7 boxes |
| Estimated cost | Cost = Recommended Tiles × Price per Tile Cost = 69 × ₹120 | ₹8,280.00 |
Therefore, for the current input values, the recommended tile purchase quantity is 69 tiles or 7 boxes including 10% wastage.
Quick tile calculation reference
| Tile Size | Approx Tiles per m² | Approx Tiles per 100 sq ft | Typical Tiles per Box |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 × 300 mm | 11.11 | 103 | 10 - 16 tiles |
| 400 × 400 mm | 6.25 | 58 | 6 tiles |
| 450 × 450 mm | 4.94 | 46 | 6 tiles |
| 600 × 600 mm | 2.78 | 26 | 4 tiles |
| 800 × 800 mm | 1.56 | 15 | 2 - 3 tiles |
| 600 × 1200 mm | 1.39 | 13 | 2 tiles |
Recommended wastage: 5% to 10% for straight laying, 10% to 15% for diagonal or complex layouts.
Essential Checklist+−
Complete these critical checks before approving the work or proceeding to the next construction stage.
✓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.
✓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 deducted from 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.
When should you use this tile calculator?
Use this calculator any time you need to estimate tile quantity before purchasing — whether you are tiling a single bathroom or planning an entire house. It is useful at two distinct stages of a project.
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 alongside quantity
Before installation
- Confirming final order quantity — including the correct wastage percentage for your layout pattern
- Calculating tiles for renovation projects where existing tiles are being replaced
- Estimating separately for each room when tile sizes or layouts differ between rooms
- Verifying a contractor's tile quantity estimate before approving a purchase order
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, rooms with bay windows, alcoves, or column projections should be split into rectangles and calculated separately. Add the tile counts together, then apply a single wastage percentage.
- Diagonal and herringbone layouts — The calculator assumes straight-grid layout. For diagonal (45°) layouts, increase the wastage input to 15–20%; for herringbone, use 15–20% as well. The tile count result will then reflect the higher material requirement.
- Natural stone tiles — Marble, granite, slate, and similar materials require 15–20% wastage to account for vein matching, directional cuts, and natural defects — higher than the standard 10% this calculator defaults to.
- Mixed tile sizes in one room — Versailles patterns and feature inlays use multiple tile sizes. Calculate each size separately and sum the results.
- Grout and adhesive quantities — This calculator estimates tile count only. Use the Grout Calculator and Tile Adhesive Calculator for those materials.
- Cuts around fixtures and penetrations — Cuts around toilet bases, drain outlets, pipes, and built-in furniture are not modelled. In rooms with many such features — particularly bathrooms — add 3–5% to the wastage input to cover these additional cuts.
Results are based on standard tile layout methods used in residential and commercial construction. Always verify quantities with your tile supplier or installer before placing a final order — actual requirements may vary based on room conditions, layout decisions, and installation method.
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.