Enter the area's length and width, plus your tile's box coverage and price, to estimate boxes needed and total cost.
How to Use the Tile Calculator and Cost Estimator
Enter the area's length and width, then set how many square feet each box of tile covers along with a waste percentage and price per box. The box count and total cost update as you adjust any field.
Tile coverage per box varies with tile size the way flooring coverage varies with plank width — a box of large 24-inch porcelain tiles covers a lot more ground than a box of small mosaic sheets, so check the figure printed on your product rather than trusting the default.
The Formula
Area = Length × Width
Area with waste = Area × (1 + Waste % ÷ 100)
Boxes needed = ⌈Area with waste ÷ Coverage per box⌉
Cost = Boxes needed × Price per boxLayout Pattern Changes the Waste Number
A straight, grid-aligned layout wastes the least tile, which is what the 10% default assumes. Diagonal layouts lose more to angled cuts at the walls, herringbone and basket-weave patterns lose more still, and large-format tile over about 12 inches is less forgiving of a bad cut since one mistake wastes a bigger, pricier piece.
Grout and Backer Board Are Separate
This total is for the tile itself. Thinset, grout, spacers, and backer board are usually bought as their own line items — budget for them separately, especially grout, which is often underestimated on large floors.
Buying an Extra Box
Beyond the calculated waste allowance, many installers keep one full spare box after the job for future repairs, since tile runs and dye lots get discontinued. That's a judgment call outside this tool's total, worth making based on how easy your specific tile will be to match years from now.