Tile Calculator – How Many Tiles Do You Need?
Plan your tiling project accurately with our tile calculator. Enter room dimensions and tile size to calculate the number of tiles needed, including a recommended waste allowance.
Recommended: 10% for straight lay, 15-20% for diagonal patterns
| Layout Pattern | Waste Factor | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Straight lay (grid) | 10% | Standard installation, rectangular rooms |
| Diagonal (45°) | 15% | Diamond pattern, more cuts at edges |
| Herringbone | 15-20% | Complex pattern, many angled cuts |
| Hexagon/Mosaic | 15-20% | Irregular shapes, more waste at borders |
| Large format tiles | 10-15% | More prone to breakage during cutting |
Always buy extra tiles for future repairs. Dye lots vary, and discontinued tiles can't be matched later.
| Tile Type | Common Sizes (cm) | Common Sizes (inches) | Tiles per m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosaic | 2.5×2.5, 5×5 | 1×1, 2×2 | 400, 100 |
| Subway | 7.5×15, 10×20 | 3×6, 4×8 | 89, 50 |
| Wall tile | 20×20, 20×25 | 8×8, 8×10 | 25, 20 |
| Floor tile | 30×30, 40×40 | 12×12, 16×16 | 11, 6.25 |
| Large format | 60×60, 80×80 | 24×24, 32×32 | 2.78, 1.56 |
| Plank tile | 15×90, 20×120 | 6×36, 8×48 | 7.4, 4.2 |
| Tile Type | Material Cost (/m²) | Installation Cost (/m²) | Total Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic (basic) | $15-30 | $30-50 | $45-80/m² |
| Porcelain | $25-60 | $40-70 | $65-130/m² |
| Natural stone | $50-150 | $60-100 | $110-250/m² |
| Glass mosaic | $40-100 | $70-120 | $110-220/m² |
| Luxury vinyl tile | $20-50 | $25-45 | $45-95/m² |
Costs vary by region, room complexity, and substrate preparation needs. Remove old tile adds $5-15/m².
How do I measure my room for tiling?
Measure the longest length and widest width, even if the room isn't perfectly rectangular. For L-shaped rooms, split into rectangles and add the areas. Don't subtract for cabinets or islands – you need tile under them for proper height matching.
Should I buy all tiles at once?
Yes, always. Tiles from different production batches can have slight color variations (dye lot differences). Buy everything you need plus 10-15% extra in one purchase. Keep spare tiles for future repairs – finding an exact match years later is nearly impossible.
How much grout do I need?
Rough estimate: 1 kg of grout per m² for standard 3mm joints. Larger tiles with wider joints need more. A 25kg bag typically covers 20-30 m² of floor tile. Your tile supplier can calculate exact amounts based on tile size and joint width.
What's the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?
Porcelain is denser, fired at higher temperatures, and absorbs less than 0.5% water. Ceramic is more porous and softer. Porcelain works outdoors and in wet areas; ceramic is fine for interior walls. Porcelain costs more but lasts longer.
Can I tile over existing tile?
Sometimes. The existing tile must be firmly attached, level, and clean. You'll need a specialty primer and thin-set mortar designed for tile-over-tile. Height buildup is the main issue – doors may need trimming, and transitions to other floors become awkward.
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