Tile Calculator — Layout, Waste & Materials Planner

Design smarter tile projects with precise layouts waste control and real world material estimates Generate counts for tiles boxes grout thinset trims and underlayment Visualize patterns save scenarios export CSV or PDF and shop confidently Handle multiple rooms unit toggles diagonal or herringbone layouts borders stairs and trims Includes thinset and grout coverage calculators

Areas & Exclusions

Add one or more rooms/walls. Exclude doors, islands, or cabinets below. You can reorder or remove at any time.

Exclusions (subtract)
Tile, Pattern & Joints
in in
For hex/round enter across‑flats diameter. For sheet, enter sheet size.
mm
mm
Waste % Breakage %
Preset suggestions vary by pattern; you can override here.
per box
If sold per piece, leave as 1 per box.
Materials & Accessories
50 lb / 22.7 kg bag assumed.
ft
ft per piece
Descriptive only; adjust area or trims as needed.
Special Modes
Pattern Visualizer
tile cut exclude
Results
Net area
0.00 ft²
Tiles needed
0
Boxes to buy
0
Estimated cuts
0
Grout needed
0 kg
Thinset bags
0
Underlayment
0
Leveling clips
0
Trims (pieces)
0
Costs (optional)
$
$
$
$
$
Tile
$0.00
Thinset
$0.00
Grout
$0.00
Underlayment
$0.00
Trims
$0.00
Tax (8%)
$0.00
Total
$0.00
How the math works
  • Net area = sum(areas) − sum(exclusions) + stairs/wainscot modes.
  • Tiles needed = ⌈ net area ÷ effective tile coverage ⌉ with waste + breakage.
  • Grout (kg/m²) ≈ ρ × w × d × (L+W) / (L×W). Units in mm; ρ≈1.6 for cement grout.
  • Thinset bags = ⌈ net area ÷ coverage(trowel) ⌉ with 10% contingency.
  • Underlayment = ⌈ net area ÷ unit coverage ⌉.
  • Clips ≈ tiles × clips per tile (adjustable).
  • Trims = ⌈ exposed edges ÷ trim length ⌉. Enter 0 to skip.
Pro tips
  • Rectified tiles allow tighter joints; diagonal & herringbone layouts typically need more waste.
  • Back‑buttering or large‑format tiles may reduce thinset coverage per bag.
  • Always round up boxes; color lots can vary between later purchases.
  • Mockup the first two rows before committing to the entire layout.

About This Tile Calculator & The Math Behind It

This Tile Calculator is designed to take the guesswork out of planning floors, walls, backsplashes, and stairs. It combines practical layout controls (patterns, joints, exclusions), pro‑grade material math (grout, thinset, underlayment, trims), and a quick visualizer so you can make confident buy decisions the first time. Below is a plain‑English explanation of the formulas and assumptions used, plus a worked example you can compare against your own project. Remember: every jobsite is unique—always verify against the tile manufacturer’s data and professional best practices.

Core Formulas (Units & Definitions)

The calculator keeps units consistent internally, converting user inputs as needed. Net area is the foundation, followed by piece count, boxes, and ancillary materials.

Symbol / TermMeaningUnitsFormula / Notes
Net AreaTotal tiled surfaceft² (converted from m² if needed)Sum(areas) − Sum(exclusions) + stairs/wainscot
Tile CoverageArea covered by one piece incl. joint allowanceft² / piece(Ltile + joint) × (Wtile + joint) ÷ 144
PiecesTile pieces to buypcs⌈ Net Area ÷ Coverage × (1 + waste% + breakage%) ⌉
BoxesFull boxes requiredboxes⌈ Pieces ÷ (pieces per box) ⌉
GroutMass of groutkgkg/m² ≈ ρ × w × d × (L+W)/(L×W); ρ≈1.6–1.7, w=joint mm, d≈tile thickness mm
ThinsetBags of adhesivebags⌈ Net Area ÷ Coverage(trowel) × 1.10 ⌉; common coverages: 60/40/30 ft²
UnderlaymentBoards/rollsunits⌈ Net Area ÷ unit coverage ⌉ (e.g., 15 ft² board; 54 ft² roll)
TrimsEdging profilespieces⌈ Exposed edges ÷ trim length per piece ⌉

Pattern, Waste & Cuts

Layout choice influences waste. Straight patterns typically need 5–8% extra; staggered rows 7–10%; diagonal 10–12%; herringbone 12–15%; modular 10–12%. Small rooms, narrow borders, and many obstacles may increase offcuts. The visualizer gives a quick feel for staggering, rotation, and joint rhythm. The “Estimated cuts” shown are an approximation based on perimeter and pattern complexity, intended for planning—not a cutting list.

Worked Example

Suppose your net area is 160 ft² after subtracting a door and island. You choose a 12 × 24 in rectified tile, 3 mm joints, a 50% stagger, and 2% expected breakage. Coverage per piece (with joint allowance) is roughly (12 + 0.118) × (24 + 0.118) ÷ 144 ≈ 2.01 ft². Pieces ≈ 160 ÷ 2.01 × (1 + 0.09 + 0.02) ≈ 88.6 → buy 89 pieces. If your box holds 8 tiles, Boxes = ⌈89 ÷ 8⌉ = 12. With a 3/8″ trowel (≈40 ft²/bag), Thinset = ⌈160 ÷ 40 × 1.10⌉ = 5 bags. For grout (ρ≈1.6), L=305 mm, W=610 mm, w=3 mm, d≈8 mm → kg/m² ≈ 1.6 × 3 × 8 × (305+610)/(305×610) ≈ 0.10. Since 160 ft² = 14.86 m², grout ≈ 1.49 kg (round to the nearest bag size per product line). If your exposed edge totals 18 ft and trims are 8 ft each, Trims = ⌈18 ÷ 8⌉ = 3 pieces.

InputValueNote
Net Area160 ft²After exclusions
Tile12 × 24 inRectified; 3 mm joint
PatternStagger 50%Waste preset ~9%
Breakage2%Transit/handling allowance
Pieces89Rounded up
Boxes128 tiles per box
Thinset5 bags3/8″ notch ≈ 40 ft²/bag
Grout≈1.5 kgCheck manufacturer bag size
Trims3 pieces8 ft per piece

How to Use

  1. Add rooms (or draw a polygon), then subtract doors/cabinets in “Exclusions”.
  2. Choose tile shape/size, joint, and pattern; review the visualizer.
  3. Enter pieces per box and materials (trowel, grout type, underlayment).
  4. Optionally add exposed edge length for trims and clips per tile if leveling.
  5. Review counts, costs, and export CSV or print a PDF for the store.
FAQ
What waste percentage should I use?
Straight 5–8%, Stagger 7–10%, Diagonal 10–12%, Herringbone 12–15%, Basketweave 8–12%, Modular 10–12%. Add extra for small rooms with many cuts.
How accurate is grout calculation?
We apply an industry formula using tile size, joint width, and thickness with material density. Real jobs vary by surface flatness and mixing consistency.
Can I mix imperial and metric?
Yes. Toggle units at the top. Tile thickness and grout are handled in millimeters for precision; areas convert automatically.
How are boxes counted?
We compute piece count with waste, then divide by pieces per box and round up to full boxes.
Why do diagonal patterns show more cuts?
Diagonals produce triangular offcuts at boundaries and typically raise waste by 2–5% compared to straight.
What trowel should I use?
As tile size increases, use larger notches to achieve proper coverage. Always follow manufacturer guidance.
Can I save and share my scenario?
Yes. Use “Share Link” to copy a URL encoding your inputs. Reopen it to reload the same scenario.

Disclaimer: This tool provides planning estimates. Substrate flatness, cut strategy, and manufacturer guidance can change real usage. When in doubt, consult a professional installer.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.