Tile Calculator
Enter your dimensions for an instant answer — the exact quantity to buy (waste included), a material cost, and an estimated installed cost. Change any figure to update the result live.
| ITEM | QTY | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| boxes | 14 | $252–$980 |
| Estimated material total | $252–$980 |
- Thinset mortar: 3 × 50 lb bag(s)
- Grout: 2 × bag(s)
How much tile do I need?
Enter the square footage of the surface — floor, wall, shower or backsplash — and the coverage printed on your tile box (commonly 8–12 sq ft). The calculator adds a 12% waste allowance for cuts and breakage, divides by box coverage, and rounds up to whole boxes.
It also estimates the setting materials: thinset mortar (about one 50 lb bag per 50 sq ft) and grout (about one bag per 100 sq ft), so floor and shower jobs are covered in one order.
Formula & methodology
boxes = (area ft² × 1.12) ÷ coverage per box, rounded up
Area plus a 12% waste allowance, divided by your box coverage and rounded up. Straight layouts can get by with 10%; diagonal and herringbone patterns need 15%.
All constants are published on the material reference; the full model is on the methodology page.
120 sq ft, 10 sq ft/box: you need 12 boxes (buy 14 with waste), about $252–$980 in materials. See how we calculate this →
Tile cost
Tile runs $18–$70 per box nationally depending on material; setting labor is priced per square foot and varies by state.
tile cost by state →Frequently asked questions
How much tile do I need?
Take your area, add 10–15% for cuts and breakage, then divide by the coverage per box. A 100 sq ft floor at 10 sq ft per box needs 12 boxes with waste — the calculator also estimates thinset and grout.
How many tiles do I need?
Divide your area by one tile's face area: a 12×12 inch tile covers exactly 1 sq ft, so a 100 sq ft floor needs about 112 tiles including 12% waste. For other sizes, the box coverage input handles the conversion.
How much extra tile for waste?
Add 10% for a straight layout and 15% for a diagonal or herringbone pattern.
Embed this calculator
Bloggers and contractors: embed the free tile calculator on your own site — copy the snippet below. Please keep the attribution link visible.