How much waste should I add for diagonal tile patterns?

Diagonal layouts, herringbone, and other complex patterns require more cuts and generate more waste. Use 15–20% waste allowance for these patterns instead of the standard 10%.

Should I keep extra tiles after the project?

Yes. Keep 3–5 extra tiles for future repairs. If a tile cracks or chips, having a matching replacement saves you from retiling the entire floor or searching for a discontinued style.

Tile Calculator

Calculate how many tiles and boxes you need for any floor or wall area.

Inputs

Area length*(ft)

Area width*(ft)

Tile length*(in)

Tile width*(in)

Waste allowance*10 %

0 %25 %

Tiles per box*

Check the tile packaging for how many tiles come per box.

Enter your values to see results instantly.

How this works

Formula

Boxes = ceil(ceil(area ÷ tile area × (1 + waste%)) ÷ tiles per box)

Tiling a floor or wall starts with knowing the total area to cover and the size of each tile. Multiply your area's length by its width to get square feet, then divide by the area of a single tile to find how many you need.

Always add a waste allowance — typically 10% for straight layouts and 15–20% for diagonal or complex patterns. This covers tiles that get cut, broken during installation, or damaged. Having extras also means you can replace a cracked tile later without trying to find a match.

Tiles are sold by the box, so divide your total tile count by the number of tiles per box and round up. Check the packaging for the exact count per box, which varies by tile size and manufacturer.

Worked example

10 × 12 ft floor with 12 × 12 in tiles, 10% waste, 10 per box

Area10 × 12 ft

Tile size12 × 12 in

Waste10%

Tiles per box10

Result

Area = 120 sq ft. Each tile = 1 sq ft. Need 120 tiles, plus 10% waste = 132 tiles. ÷ 10 per box = 14 boxes.

Frequently asked questions

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