Tile Calculator
Calculate how many 12x12 floor or wall tiles you need from your room's length and width, with a waste allowance for cuts.
How this calculator works
This calculator assumes a standard 12 in x 12 in tile, which covers exactly 1 square foot per tile — so the tile count is simply your floor or wall area, rounded up to the next whole tile since you can’t buy a fraction of one.
Formula: Tiles = Room area (sq ft) ÷ 1 sq ft per tile (12x12 in tile).
Worked example
A room 10 ft long x 8 ft wide (80 sq ft):
- Area: 10 x 8 = 80 sq ft
- Tiles: 80 ÷ 1 = 80 tiles
- At $2/tile, that’s $160.00 before waste.
- With 10% waste added: 80 x 1.1 = 88 → 88 tiles, or $176.00.
Coverage reference
| Room area | Tiles needed (12x12 in tile) |
|---|---|
| 40 sq ft | 40 tiles |
| 80 sq ft | 80 tiles |
| 180 sq ft | 180 tiles |
How to measure your room
Measure the length and width of the room (or the section you’re tiling) in feet, including closets or alcoves that will be tiled. If your tile isn’t 12x12 in, divide the room’s total area by your tile’s actual square footage rather than using the 1-to-1 count this calculator assumes.
Frequently asked questions
How many 12x12 tiles do I need for my floor?
This calculator assumes a standard 12 in x 12 in tile, which covers exactly 1 square foot each. Enter your room's length and width and the tile count equals the room's area in square feet, rounded up to a whole tile.
What if my tile isn't 12x12 inches?
The math changes with tile size. A 12x24 in tile covers 2 sq ft (half as many tiles needed), while a 6x6 in tile covers 0.25 sq ft (four times as many tiles). Divide your room's area by your actual tile's square footage instead of using this calculator's 1:1 assumption.
How much waste should I add for a tile job?
10% is the standard allowance for a straight, grid-pattern layout — it covers cuts at walls, broken tiles, and future repairs. Diagonal (herringbone or 45-degree) layouts waste more material at the edges, so bump that up to 15%.
Does this calculator include grout or thinset?
No — this counts tiles only. Grout and thinset/mortar quantities depend on tile size, joint width, and trowel notch size, and are usually estimated separately from the tile box coverage chart or a grout calculator.
Should I buy extra tile beyond the waste allowance?
Many installers recommend keeping a few extra tiles in the same dye lot after the job is done, in case a tile cracks later. Tile color can vary slightly between production runs, so leftover tile from the same batch is worth more than a tile bought new years later.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.