Tile Calculator — Tiles, Thinset & Grout

    Calculate the exact number of tiles needed for any floor or wall project. Includes thinset mortar, grout, and waste factor estimates. Supports all common tile sizes from 4×12 subway to 24×24 large format.

    $/ tile

    Tips

    • Diagonal patterns — use 15% waste. Straight layouts can use 10%.
    • Thinset coverage — one 50-lb bag covers ~50 sqft with ¼" × ¼" trowel.
    • Grout coverage — varies by tile size and grout width. Estimate ~70 sqft per 25-lb bag.
    • Buy extra — always order a few extra tiles for cuts, breakage, and future repairs.

    Example Calculation

    Tiling a 10×12 foot bathroom floor with 12×12 inch tiles at a 10% waste factor? You need approximately 132 tiles. For adhesive, plan on 3 bags of 50-lb thinset mortar and 2 bags of grout. With 1/8-inch grout lines, the grout coverage is about 70 square feet per bag. At $2–$4 per tile, the tile cost runs $264–$528 before adhesive and grout.

    Tiles Needed by Room Size

    Room Size12×12 Tiles6×6 Tiles
    5×8 ft (bathroom)44176
    10×10 ft110440
    10×12 ft132528
    12×14 ft185740
    15×20 ft3301,320

    All counts include 10% waste factor.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many 12×12 tiles do I need per square foot?

    Exactly 1 tile per square foot before waste. Add 10% waste for straight layouts or 15% for diagonal patterns.

    How much thinset mortar do I need?

    A 50-lb bag covers approximately 50–80 square feet depending on your trowel notch size. Larger tiles require larger trowel notches and use more thinset.

    How much extra tile should I buy for waste?

    10% extra for standard straight layouts. 15% for diagonal, herringbone, or complex patterns. Keep a few extra tiles stored for future repairs.

    What size grout lines should I use?

    1/8 inch is standard for most floor tile. Use 1/16 inch for rectified tile with tight joints. Use 3/16 to 1/4 inch for rustic or handmade tile with slight size variations.

    Can I use this calculator for wall tile?

    Yes. Measure the wall height and width instead of floor length and width. The tile, thinset, and grout calculations work the same way.

    Typical Results

    Bathroom floor(40–60 sq ft area)45–70 sq ft of tile
    Kitchen backsplash(25–35 sq ft area)28–40 sq ft of tile
    Shower walls(60–80 sq ft area)65–90 sq ft of tile
    Kitchen floor(100–170 sq ft area)110–190 sq ft of tile

    💡 Always buy 10–15% extra. Tile from different production lots can have slight color variation.