Tile Calculator

Calculate tile counts, grout spacing allowance, waste percentage, boxes to buy, and estimated cost.

Installation Length (ft)

Installation Width (ft)

Popular Tile Sizes

Tile Length (inches)

Tile Width (inches)

Grout Joint Width (inches)

Waste Allowance (%)

Tiles per Box

Price per Box ($)

Tile & Grout Purchasing Guidelines

Tile purchasing estimates are based on nominal ceramic tile product coverage (or manufacturer-supplied box coverage), adding cutting and layout waste allowances and rounding up to whole commercial packaging boxes. Grout joint width establishes the installation layout grid.

Nominal Tile Area (sq ft): Area = (Length × Width) ÷ 144
Net Tiles Needed: Net = ceil(Installation Area ÷ Nominal Tile Area)
Total with Waste: Total = ceil(Net × (1 + Waste % / 100))
Boxes to Buy (Ceiling): Boxes = ceil(Total ÷ Tiles per Box)
Rectangular Grid Layout: Grid = ceil((Length + Grout) ÷ (Tile L + Grout)) × ceil((Width + Grout) ÷ (Tile W + Grout))

Verified Worked Examples

Example: 12" × 12" Bathroom Floor

A 100 sq ft bathroom floor with 12x12 inch tiles, 1/8-inch grout joints, and 10% cut waste allowance.

Tiles Needed:110 tiles

Boxes to Buy:11 boxes (110 tiles)

Nominal tile coverage: (12 × 12) / 144 = 1.00 sq ft per tile. Net tiles: ceil(100 / 1.0) = 100 tiles. Adding 10% cutting and layout waste: 110 tiles. Packaging: ceil(110 / 10) = 11 whole boxes (110 tiles purchased). Grout width defines joint spacing, while retail purchasing relies on nominal tile face coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does grout line width affect how many tiles I need?

Grout lines (typically 1/16 to 1/4 inches) establish layout grid spacing and joint expansion. In purchasing estimates, industry standards base tile counts on nominal tile dimensions to ensure sufficient material for perimeter cuts and future dye-lot attic stock without underestimating box requirements.

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