Tile calculator
Floor or wall area plus waste, with the thinset and grout that go under and between it.
Tile
Floor or wall area plus waste, with the thinset and grout that go under and between it.
Diagonal and mosaic layouts waste 15 per cent. Order one full box over for future repairs.
$739
352.0 sq ft of ceramic at $2.10 / sq ft
Free. No signup. The quantities carry over as line items.
How this tile calculator works
Area plus waste, and then the thinset and grout that go under and between it. The setting materials are usually forgotten and they add up fast.
The formula
area to order = area × (1 + waste) · thinset = order ÷ 50 bags · grout = order × 0.12 lb
Assumptions and defaults
| Default waste | 10% |
| Diagonal or mosaic | 15% |
| Thinset coverage | 50 sq ft per bag |
| Grout | about 0.12 lb per sq ft |
Pro tips
Order a full box over what you need and store it. Discontinued tile is a genuine problem three years later when a pipe leaks.
Large format needs a flat substrate more than it needs a good setter. Check the floor with a straightedge before you quote it.
Buy all your tile from one lot number. Shade variation between lots is real and it shows worst in big open floors.
Common questions
How much extra tile should I buy?
Ten per cent for a straight lay in a square room, fifteen for diagonal, herringbone or mosaic. Then one full box on top for future repairs.
How many bags of thinset do I need?
About one 50 lb bag per 50 square feet with a ¼ in notch trowel. Large format with a bigger trowel uses closer to one per 35.
How much grout for a tile job?
Roughly 0.12 lb per square foot at standard joints, which is what the calculator shows. Wide joints and small tiles both push that up sharply.
Do I need cement board under tile?
On a floor, over plywood, yes — or an uncoupling membrane. In a wet wall, always. Tile does not tolerate movement and neither does grout.