Tile Calculator

Calculate tiles needed for a floor or wall with waste factor. See material and installation cost estimates.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: HomeAdvisor

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Use the Tile Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Knowing exactly how many tiles a job requires is the difference between one clean order and a costly mid-project reorder. With material prices in flux, landing on the right count can save upwards of $500 on a typical 200 sq ft tiling job in 2026, while sparing you both the overspend of buying too much and the delay of running short.

The method is straightforward: find the total area to be tiled by multiplying length by width, then divide that by the area of a single tile to get a base count. From there the count is scaled up by a waste factor you set yourself, generally 10 to 15% for a standard grid and 20% or more once you move into intricate patterns or large-format tiles. That cushion absorbs the cuts, the breakage, and a few spares held back for repairs down the line.

Measuring the space more than once is worth the extra minute, since a single bad number ripples straight into wasted material or a shortfall. If you are working with very small tiles, fold the grout lines into your area figure too, because the gaps between them shave a little off how much surface each tile actually covers.

Example: Tiling a 100 sq ft Bathroom Floor

  1. 1 Input: Room dimensions 10 ft x 10 ft (100 sq ft total area). Tile size 12 inches x 24 inches (2 sq ft per tile). Waste factor 15%. Average tile cost $3.50/sq ft. Installation cost $7.00/sq ft.
  2. 2 Calculation: 100 sq ft / 2 sq ft/tile = 50 tiles (base). 50 tiles * 1.15 (15% waste) = 57.5 tiles. Round up to 58 tiles. Material cost: 58 tiles * $3.50/sq ft * 2 sq ft/tile = $406. Installation cost: 100 sq ft * $7.00/sq ft = $700.
  3. 3 Intermediate Result: You need approximately 58 tiles. The estimated material cost is $406.
  4. 4 Final Result: The total estimated cost for materials and installation for your 100 sq ft bathroom floor, including a 15% waste factor, is $1106. This ensures you have sufficient tiles for the project and potential future repairs, preventing unexpected expenses.

Source: HomeAdvisor · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tiles do I need for my project?
Calculate the area in square feet, then divide by the area of one tile. Add 10% for straight layouts or 15% for diagonal or mosaic patterns to account for cuts and waste. For example, a 100 sq ft floor with 12x12 tiles needs about 110 tiles.
How much does tile installation cost?
Professional tile installation runs $5-15 per square foot for labor, plus material costs ($1-20+ per sq ft depending on tile quality). Total installed cost for a 100 sq ft bathroom floor is typically $1,000-3,000.
What size tile is best for a small bathroom?
Larger tiles (12x24 or 24x24) with minimal grout lines can make a small bathroom look larger. Light colors also help. Very small tiles (1x1 mosaics) work well for shower floors where more grout lines improve traction.

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