Tile Calculator

Free Online Tile Calculator – Work Out How Many Tiles You Need for Any Floor or Wall

Calculating how many tiles you need for a floor or wall seems simple until you account for edge cuts, wastage, the fact that tiles come in boxes with a fixed quantity, and the reality that tiles from different batches can have slight color variations. Ordering too few means project delays while you wait for a delivery match. Ordering too many wastes money. This free tile calculator takes your room dimensions and tile size and generates an accurate tile count — including a recommended wastage allowance — so you always have exactly what you need to complete the job.

How to Calculate How Many Tiles You Need

The basic calculation divides the total area to be tiled by the area of one tile. In practice, you need to add extra tiles for cuts at edges, corners, around doorways and obstacles, and a buffer for breakages during installation. This calculator handles all of that automatically and gives you the total tile count including wastage.

1. Enter the length and width of the area you want to tile in metres or centimetres.
2. Enter the tile dimensions (e.g. 600×600 mm, 300×600 mm, or 450×450 mm).
3. The tool calculates the number of tiles required and includes a recommended wastage buffer.

Why You Should Always Add a Wastage Allowance

Even an experienced tiler cuts and breaks tiles. Edges, corners, pipes, and awkward room shapes all require cut tiles, and a percentage of cuts will not go cleanly. A wastage allowance protects you from running short on a job — which can be a serious problem if your tile has been discontinued or comes from a batch that is no longer in stock:

• 10% wastage — Standard for rectangular rooms with straightforward cuts and no complex obstacles
• 15% wastage — Recommended for L-shaped rooms, diagonal tile layouts, or spaces with multiple doorways and fixtures
• 20% wastage — Advisable for large-format tiles (600mm or bigger), natural stone tiles with higher breakage rates, or intricate pattern layouts

Choosing the Right Tile for Your Space

Tile size affects the look of a finished space as much as the color and material. As a general guide:

• Large format (600×600 mm or bigger) — Gives a modern, minimalist look with fewer grout lines. Works well in open-plan spaces and makes smaller rooms feel larger when used with matching grout color.
• Medium format (300×600 mm or 400×400 mm) — Versatile for both floors and walls. Popular in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Small format (mosaic, 100×100 mm, 150×150 mm) — Great for feature areas, shower niches, splashbacks, and decorative borders.

Floor Tiles vs Wall Tiles

Floor tiles need to carry foot traffic and resist wear, so they are rated by their PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) wear rating. A PEI rating of Class 3 or above is appropriate for most residential floors. Class 4 and 5 tiles are used in commercial settings and high-traffic areas. Wall tiles do not bear weight, so they can be thinner, lighter, and less expensive. Never use wall-only tiles on a floor as they are not designed to handle the load or slip resistance requirements.

Understanding Tile Box Coverage

Tiles are sold by the box at most retailers. Each box covers a stated area (typically printed in m² on the packaging) and contains a fixed number of tiles. Once you know from this calculator how many tiles you need, divide by the tiles per box and round up to the nearest full box. Always round up — never leave yourself one box short halfway through a job.

Tips for a Professional Tiling Finish

• Plan your tile layout before you start fixing to avoid ending up with a narrow sliver of tile at the most visible edge
• Use whole tiles at the most visible entry point and cut tiles at side walls and behind units where they are less prominent
• For square rooms, find the center point and work outward symmetrically for a balanced result
• Allow tiles to acclimatize to room temperature for 24 hours before laying, especially large format porcelain
• Keep at least 5–10% of leftover tiles for future repairs — matching tiles from the same batch is often impossible years later

Use this tile calculator before you head to the showroom so you know exactly how many square metres and how many tiles to order. A few minutes of planning here saves significant time, money, and frustration on the job.