Number of tiles needed to cover a floor, including wastage.
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Flooring (Tiles) Calculator: Free Online Tool
The Flooring (Tiles) Calculator tells you how many tiles are needed to cover a floor. You enter the room length and width, the tile length and width, and a wastage percentage. The calculator returns the floor area, the area of one tile, the number of tiles without wastage, the number with wastage, and the total tile area to buy. If you enter the tiles per box, it also gives the number of boxes.
Tile contractors, interior designers, homeowners and site engineers use this estimate before purchasing. Tiles from different production batches can differ in shade and size, so it is best to buy all tiles at once. A correct count, with a sensible allowance for cutting and breakage, prevents shortage in the middle of the job and unnecessary leftover stock.
When to use this calculator
Use this calculator before you order tiles for a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, corridor or a whole flat. It is useful when comparing different tile sizes, for example 24 x 24 inch and 12 x 12 inch, because a smaller tile usually needs a higher percentage for cuts. You can also use it to check the quantity in a quotation, or to convert the tile area to boxes when the shop sells tiles by the box. Repeat the calculation for each room and add the results.
How to use the Flooring (Tiles) Calculator
- Open the calculator above on your phone, tablet or computer. Nothing needs to be installed and no sign-up is required.
- Choose the unit system first (feet / inches or metres / mm). The input labels change to match your choice.
- Enter your values in the input boxes: Room length (ft), Room width (ft), Tile length (inches), Tile width (inches), Wastage (%), Tiles per box (optional). The boxes already hold sample values, so overwrite them with your own.
- Press Calculate. The result appears straight away under the button.
- Change any value and press Calculate again to compare options. Press Reset to go back to the sample values.
- Check the result against your drawings, project specification and local code before you order material or approve work.
How the calculation works
The calculator multiplies room length by width to get the floor area, and tile length by width to get the area of one tile. The number of tiles is floor area divided by tile area, rounded up. The wastage percentage is then added, and the result is rounded up again. The default is a 14 x 12 ft room with 24 x 24 inch tiles and 10% wastage, which gives 42 tiles before wastage and 47 after. Tile area to buy is the number of tiles times the area of one tile. Boxes are the tiles needed divided by tiles per box, rounded up.
Worked example
When you open the page the calculator is filled with sample values. Pressing Calculate with those values gives the result below, which you can use to check that you are reading the output correctly.
| Floor | |
|---|---|
| Floor area | 168.00 sq ft |
| Area of one tile | 4.000 sq ft |
| Tiles | |
| Tiles (no wastage) | 42 nos. |
| Tiles (+10% wastage) | 47 nos. |
| Tile area to buy | 188.00 sq ft |
Tips and common mistakes
- Measure the room at its widest and longest points, because walls are rarely perfectly square, and enter the tile size without the grout line.
- Choose a higher wastage for diagonal layouts, patterned tiles and small rooms with many cuts. The default of 10% is only a starting point.
- Calculate each room separately, then add the results, instead of using one large room size, so that cuts at each wall are accounted for.
- Buy all tiles from the same batch and keep a few spare ones, since a matching tile may not be available when you need a repair.
- Enter the tiles per box if the dealer sells boxed tiles, because the box count rounds up to complete boxes and shows the real purchase.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles do I need for a 14 x 12 ft room?
With 24 x 24 inch tiles, the floor area is 168 sq ft and one tile is 4 sq ft, so 42 tiles are needed. With 10% wastage the calculator gives 47 tiles. Always check the tile size you plan to buy.
What wastage percentage should I use?
The default is 10%. Straight layouts in simple rooms may need less, while diagonal or patterned layouts and rooms with many corners need more. Use your own site experience for the final value. Small rooms usually need a higher percentage.
Does the calculator account for grout lines?
No. The count is based on area only, as stated in the note. Cuts, pattern layout and grout lines may need extra tiles, so use the wastage field to cover them. Ask your tile layer how many extra tiles the layout needs.
How do I get the number of boxes?
Enter the number of tiles in one box. The calculator divides the tiles needed with wastage by this number and rounds up to give the complete boxes you must buy. Complete boxes are what you actually buy.
Can I enter tile size in millimetres?
Yes. Choose the metres and millimetres unit system, and then enter the room size in metres and the tile length and width in millimetres, for example 600 x 600. The area result is then shown in square metres.
Important note
This tool gives estimates for planning, study and quick checks. It does not replace design by a qualified engineer, site-specific testing, or the requirements of your project specification and local building code. Always confirm final quantities, test results and acceptance limits with the responsible engineer before using them for construction or payment.
