Tile Calculator: How Many Tiles Do You Need? Calculate Instantly

You're eyeing that perfect subway tile for your bathroom remodel, but you need to know: how many boxes do you actually buy?

Tile comes in fixed quantities per box, and knowing exactly how many tiles you need prevents overbuying expensive specialty tile or falling short and scrambling for discontinued stock. Our tile calculator converts your room dimensions into tile count, accounts for waste and pattern cuts, and tells you precisely how many tiles to order.

What This Calculator Does

This tool calculates the number of tiles required based on your floor or wall area, tile size, and installation pattern. You input the room length, width, tile dimensions (width and length), and any non-tiled areas (door openings, shower enclosures, alcoves). The calculator subtracts these openings, divides the remaining area by tile size, and applies a waste factor for cuts, breakage, and pattern misalignment. It also accounts for grout spacing (the gap between tiles) if you're accounting for precision layout.

How to Use This Calculator

Step 1: Measure the length and width of the area you're tiling in feet. For a bathroom floor, that's the full bathroom footprint. For a shower wall, measure the width and height of the wall.

Step 2: Identify any openings you won't tile. Doorways, thresholds (sometimes), and other non-tiled sections reduce your total area. Estimate or measure these.

Step 3: Select your tile size. Common sizes are 12×12 inches (1 sq ft per tile, popular for floors), 6×6 inches (0.25 sq ft, small accent tiles), 18×18 inches (2.25 sq ft, large format for modern looks), or subway tiles (3×6 inches, common for walls). Have your tile selection before using the calculator.

Step 4: Input whether you're tiling horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Diagonal installation wastes more tile (more cuts), so the calculator bumps the waste factor accordingly.

Step 5: Let the calculator show total tile count, and round up to the nearest box. Most tile is sold in boxes covering 10–15 sq ft per box, with 8–24 tiles depending on size.

The Formula Behind the Math

Here's the core calculation:

Tile Count = Area (sq ft) ÷ Tile Size (sq ft) × (1 + Waste Factor)

Let's work through a real bathroom example: You're tiling a 5-foot × 8-foot floor with 12×12-inch tiles (1 sq ft per tile), accounting for waste.

Now a more complex example with a smaller tile: a 6-foot × 9-foot kitchen backsplash with 3×6-inch subway tiles, diagonal pattern.

Tile comes in boxes; a box of subway tiles typically covers 8–10 sq ft, or 64–80 tiles per box. So you'd order roughly 8 boxes to account for breakage and waste.

Our calculator handles all this math and accounts for grout lines if needed, giving you the exact count to buy.

Bathroom Floor (Small to Midsize)

A 5-foot × 7-foot bathroom floor is 35 square feet. With 12×12 tiles, that's 35 tiles (plus 10% waste = 39 tiles, round up to 40). A box of 12×12 tiles usually covers 9–10 sq ft (9–10 tiles per box), so you'd order 4 boxes to cover 36–40 tiles comfortably.

Kitchen Backsplash (Subway Tile Pattern)

Subway tiles are 3×6 inches and cover about 0.125 sq ft each. A standard backsplash behind a stove or counter might span 6 feet wide × 4 feet tall = 24 square feet. At 0.125 sq ft per tile, that's 192 base tiles, plus 15% for pattern cuts and breaks = 221 tiles. Boxes of subway tile typically contain 64–80 tiles per 8–10 sq ft box, so you'd order 3–4 boxes.

Large Format Tile (Contemporary Aesthetic)

Modern bathrooms and kitchens often use large 18×18-inch tiles (2.25 sq ft each). An 8-foot × 10-foot floor = 80 sq ft. Base count: 80 ÷ 2.25 = 35.6 tiles (round to 36). With 15% waste: 41 tiles. Large format tile usually ships 8–12 tiles per box (18–27 sq ft per box), so 1 box covers it, but always order 2 for waste and future repairs. Large tiles minimize grout lines and look sleek but are less forgiving if the floor isn't perfectly level.

Shower Wall with Accent Strip

A typical shower enclosure has walls roughly 3 feet wide × 7 feet tall per wall (multiply by number of walls you're tiling-usually 2–3 depending on layout). Let's say you're doing two walls: 3 × 7 × 2 = 42 square feet. With 6×6-inch tiles (0.25 sq ft each), that's 168 base tiles. Add a contrasting 1-foot-tall accent strip (3 feet wide, different tile color): 3 × 1 = 3 sq ft = 12 additional tiles. Total: 180 tiles, plus 10–15% waste. Shower tile should be slip-resistant and moisture-resistant; check product specs before buying.

Tips and Things to Watch Out For

Always order 10–15% more material than your calculation to account for waste, cuts, breakage, and measurement errors. Tile cutting creates waste-every edge cut has a scrap. Broken tiles during installation or shipping must be replaced. Pattern cuts for doorways and corners generate extra waste. Diagonal installations waste even more (bump to 15–20%). Buy the extra; you'd rather have leftovers for future repairs than run out mid-project.

Large format tiles require a perfectly flat surface; small tiles forgive minor unevenness. 12×12 and smaller tiles compensate for slight floor slopes or wall waviness. An 18×24-inch tile will visibly show high or low spots unless the substrate is perfectly prepped. Plan extra time and money for floor leveling if using large format tile.

Grout color and width affect the visual impact dramatically. A grout joint (the space between tiles) is typically 1/16 inch (minimal, modern look) to 1/4 inch (traditional, emphasizes pattern). Wider grout shows dirt more but is more forgiving of slight misalignment. Your tile supplier can show how grout width changes the finished appearance.

Specialty or imported tile often has 10–20% of pieces with slight defects-keep them for cuts. Budget cuts and pieces with minor chips or color variation for areas where cuts are needed. You can't use a chipped tile face-out on a visible wall, but if it's cut and hidden, the defect doesn't matter. Always inspect your tile boxes before opening; damaged boxes can be returned.

Grout can be sealed for easier maintenance, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Unsealed grout in wet areas absorbs water, dirt, and mold. After tile installation and curing, apply grout sealer-a 1-2 hour job that prevents headaches. Factor this into your timeline and budget.

Order all tile from the same production batch or dye lot. Even the same tile model can vary slightly in color between batches. If you order half your tile this week and half next week, you risk visible color inconsistencies. Ask your supplier to pull all your tile from the same batch, or order all at once.

Measure twice, especially around fixtures (toilets, vanities, shower heads). Tile layout around existing fixtures requires precision. A toilet flange sits at floor level; tiling around it requires careful cuts. Get exact measurements from the contractor or fixture specs before finalizing tile selection, especially if you're purchasing before installation begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many boxes of tile do I need for a 100 square foot floor?

It depends on tile size. Typical 12×12 tiles are 1 sq ft each, so 100 tiles needed (plus 10% waste = 110 tiles). A box of 12×12 usually contains 9–10 tiles covering 9–10 sq ft, so you'd order 11–12 boxes. Check your specific product; coverage varies.

What's the difference between wall and floor tile?

Floor tile is thicker, denser, and rated for foot traffic-it's durable but can be slippery. Wall tile is lighter (cheaper to ship and install) and often textured for grip in bathrooms. Don't use wall tile on floors; it'll crack. Floor tile can be used on walls (overkill and expensive) but isn't necessary.

Should I add extra for a complex pattern (herringbone, chevron)?

Yes. Diagonal and intricate patterns generate 15–20% waste, compared to 10% for straight layouts. Herringbone especially-cutting tiles at 45-degree angles produces a lot of waste. Budget accordingly.

How do I handle tiling around a toilet or other fixtures?

Measure the fixture's footprint and subtract it from your total area. For a toilet, measure its base (typically 12–18 inches wide and 24–30 inches long). Some installers tile right up to the fixture and caulk the gap; others remove fixtures, tile underneath, and reinstall. Discuss this with your contractor to clarify what you're ordering for.

Can I use outdoor tile indoors, or vice versa?

Outdoor tile is often rougher, less polished, and designed for weather exposure. It can look rustic indoors. Indoor tile isn't weatherproof and will crack or stain outdoors. If you love an outdoor tile look, confirm it's suitable for your climate. Slip ratings matter too-outdoor tile is often slip-resistant, which is useful for bathrooms.

What if I want to add a contrasting border or accent strip?

Measure those separately. A 1-foot-tall accent strip running 20 linear feet = 20 sq ft. Calculate tile count for the accent color separately, order both colors, and let your installer coordinate the layout. This prevents running short of accent tile mid-project.

How do I calculate tile for a curved wall or irregular space?

Break it into sections as close to rectangles as possible, calculate each, sum them, and add extra waste (15–20%). Or ask your tile supplier or contractor to estimate irregular areas-they've done hundreds and can eyeball it faster than you can measure.

Related Calculators

Use the square footage calculator to measure walls and floors precisely, and the grout calculator to estimate grout quantity and color. For natural stone tiles, check the material cost estimator to budget the full project including underlayment and installation.