Measure the area
For a rectangular area, multiply length by width. If your project has several sections, calculate each one and add them together.
Area = length × width
Flooring & Tile
Tile Calculator
Calculate how many tiles and boxes your project needs, including optional waste and box pricing.
Project measurements
Calculation method
How to calculate how many tiles you need
Measure the surface you plan to tile, account for any spaces that should be excluded, then add a waste allowance for cuts, breakage, and spare matching tile. HomeMeasureWorks performs the unit conversions and rounds purchase quantities up where necessary.
Subtract spaces you will not tile
Remove the area of openings or sections that will not receive tile. The calculator subtracts these from the total measured area before applying waste.
Area to tile = measured area − excluded area
Add a waste allowance
Waste helps cover cuts, breakage, layout adjustments, and spare matching tile. The right allowance depends on the project and installation pattern.
Adjusted area = area to tile × (1 + waste %)
Convert area into tiles
The adjusted project area is divided by the surface area of one tile. Because you cannot normally purchase part of a tile, the result is rounded up to the next whole tile.
Tiles needed = adjusted area ÷ area of one tile
Worked example
A 12 × 15 ft room has an area of 180 ft². Adding 10% waste gives 198 ft². A 12 × 24 in tile covers 2 ft², so the project requires 99 tiles.
If the package contains 8 tiles per box, 99 ÷ 8 = 12.375, so you would need to round up to 13 boxes.
How much waste should you allow?
There is no single waste percentage that fits every installation. A simpler layout with few cuts may need less extra material, while diagonal layouts, pattern matching, complicated room shapes, or numerous cuts may require more.
- 5% — a lower buffer for straightforward projects with relatively little cutting.
- 10% — a common starting allowance for many standard installations.
- 15% — more buffer for projects with additional cuts, pattern matching, or desired spare tile.
Always follow the tile manufacturer's or installer's recommendation when they specify a different allowance.
How boxes are calculated
If you know the number of tiles in each box, HomeMeasureWorks divides the required tile count by the tiles per box and rounds up to a whole box. If the package instead lists coverage per box, the adjusted area is divided directly by that package coverage.
Boxes = tiles needed ÷ tiles per box
Boxes = adjusted area ÷ coverage per box
Whole-box rounding can leave extra tiles or extra coverage. The purchase summary shows that difference so you can see what you are actually buying.
Irregular rooms and excluded spaces
For an L-shaped room or another layout made from simple rectangles, split the project into separate areas and use Add another area. Use Subtract a space for rectangular sections that should not be tiled.
For highly irregular shapes, curved surfaces, complex patterns, or installations requiring precise layout planning, use the calculator as an estimating tool and confirm quantities with your installer.
What this estimate assumes
- Measurements entered into the calculator are accurate.
- Tile dimensions represent the coverage of one tile.
- Waste is represented by the percentage you choose.
- Package quantities are rounded up to complete boxes.
- Pricing, when entered, is based on the calculated number of boxes.
Before purchasing: verify the actual coverage, quantity per box, tile dimensions, installation requirements, and lot availability printed on the manufacturer's packaging.