Tile Calculator

This calculator tells you how many tiles you need to cover a floor or wall, including a margin for cuts and breakages. Enter the area you are tiling and the size of a single tile, and it returns the tile count and, optionally, the number of boxes to buy.

m
m
cm
cm
10%
%

Extra for cuts and breakages. 10% is typical.

Tiles needed
37
Including the wastage margin
Area to cover
12 m²
Boxes needed
0

How it works

The area to cover is divided by the area of one tile to get the base count, then a wastage percentage is added and the result is rounded up to whole tiles. If you enter how many tiles come in a box, it also rounds up to full boxes.

Formula
Tiles = ceil( (area ÷ tile area) × (1 + wastage) )

Example. A 4 m by 3 m floor is 12 m². With 60 by 60 cm tiles (0.36 m² each) and 10% wastage, you need 37 tiles.

Why add a wastage margin

Cuts at edges, breakages and the odd laying mistake mean you always use more tiles than the bare area suggests. Around 10% extra is normal for a simple layout, and 15% or more is sensible for diagonal patterns or rooms with many corners.

Frequently asked questions

How many tiles do I need per square metre?

Divide one by the area of a single tile in square metres. For 60 by 60 cm tiles, each covers 0.36 m², so you need about 2.78 tiles per square metre before wastage.

How much wastage should I allow for tiles?

About 10% for a standard straight layout, and 15% or more for diagonal or herringbone patterns and irregular rooms. Keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.

Should I round up tiles and boxes?

Yes. You can only buy whole tiles and whole boxes, so both are always rounded up. This calculator does that for you.

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Embed this calculator

Free to use on any site. Please keep the credit link.

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