Tile calculator
Use tile dimensions, tiled area and cutting waste to calculate a rounded buying quantity.
20 LAUNCH TOOLS
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When to use it
Use after measuring every surface to be tiled and choosing the actual tile size and a workable layout.
How it works
Tile face area is converted to m²; required tiles are rounded up after waste.
Worked example
Assume 12 m² of measured tiled area, 600 × 300 mm tiles and an illustrative 10% cutting allowance. One tile covers 0.6 × 0.3 = 0.18 m²; 12 ÷ 0.18 = 66.667 tiles; 66.667 × 1.10 = 73.333, so the buying quantity is 74 whole tiles. Convert that result to whole packs using the supplier’s actual tiles-per-pack or stated pack coverage, and do not add the allowance twice.
Measurement guidance
Net tiled area, actual tile dimensions in millimetres and a cutting-waste allowance suited to the layout.
Buying and specification checks
This estimates individual rectangular tiles. It does not model joints, pattern repeats, trims, pack coverage or the installation system.
Measure, set out and check the order
A tile count is a buying estimate, not a layout or installation specification.
- Sketch and label each wall or floor separately. Measure in metres, subtract only confirmed exclusions, and add tiled reveals, returns and recesses so they are not missed or counted twice.
- Dry-plan a representative row using actual tiles and the selected joint width. Check centre lines, visible edges, fittings and end cuts before treating the area count as a workable layout.
- Choose the allowance for cuts, pattern, breakage and retained spares to suit the room, tile and layout; there is no single percentage for every project.
- Before ordering, check the supplier’s tiles-per-pack or pack coverage, round up to whole packs, and confirm product code, batch, shade or calibre, availability and returns. Do not add waste twice.
Common mistakes
- Mixing wall and floor products
- Ignoring pattern waste
- Not converting tiles to whole boxes
FREE TOOL AND PROJECT PACK
What the free calculator provides
The free calculator converts measured tiled area, tile dimensions and an editable cutting allowance into a rounded whole-tile quantity. It does not design the layout, convert the result to a supplier’s pack size or specify the installation system.
What the dedicated pack adds
The dedicated pack helps plan and retain the wider domestic wall or floor tiling project.
- Project brief, tile-and-system choices, background inspection, measurement, set-out and tile-order records.
- Other-material, quote, budget, delivery, preparation, wet-area and pre-fix checkpoints.
- Fixing, joints, curing, snagging, care and troubleshooting records, plus a tile passport for future reference.
22-page printable digital workbook (PDF). Immediate digital delivery with 90-day access; no subscription.
Practical FAQs
Should I use the gross wall or floor area?
Use the area that will actually be tiled. Subtract only exclusions that are confirmed, then add separately measured reveals, returns and recesses. Keep each surface labelled so nothing is missed or counted twice.
What waste percentage should I enter?
There is no universal figure. Room shape, tile format, pattern, cuts, breakage and the spare stock you intend to keep all affect the allowance. Agree a suitable percentage for the selected layout and do not add it again when converting to packs.
Does the calculator tell me how many boxes to buy?
No. It returns a whole-tile quantity. Convert that to whole packs using the supplier’s actual tiles-per-pack or stated pack coverage, round up, and check the product code and batch before ordering.
Does the tile quantity confirm a wet area is ready?
No. Tiles, adhesive and grout alone do not establish a waterproof assembly. Use a compatible system for the actual background and exposure, follow its current instructions, and resolve wet-area details before tiling conceals them.
Planning guidance, not a quotation or a substitute for project-specific design and competent advice.