Tile waste by layout
Straight, diagonal, and herringbone layouts cut different amounts of tile—defaults are 10%, 15%, and 20% on this site.
Defaults you can change
Floor tile orders need whole boxes, but walls and floors still generate offcuts. On Home Yard Calc the straight layout starts at 10% waste, diagonal at 15%, and herringbone at 20%. Those are planning defaults, not claims about a formal standard. Open the waste control and type your own number whenever the job history says otherwise.
T1 and T2 from the same 120 ft² floor
On a 120 ft² floor with 12×12 in tiles, straight layout at the default 10% waste orders 132 tiles (T1). The same area on a diagonal layout at 15% waste orders 138 tiles (T2). Herringbone defaults to 20% on the tile calculator, and you can override any percentage.
Run your room in the tile calculator to swap layout, edit box size, or add wall area. Joint grout pounds stay on the grout calculator once tile size and joint width are set.
Planning tips without over-ordering
Measure the net field, then add waste for cuts—not for future repairs unless you want spare cartons. Keep one box number from the supplier for dye lot matching if they recommend it; that is separate from the waste percentage field.
This guide explains the measurement the calculators use. It is not a design review or a soil report.
Use it on a calculator
FAQ
Are 10%, 15%, and 20% required by code?
No. Those values are starting defaults on the tile calculator for straight, diagonal, and herringbone layouts. They are not TCNA mandatory percentages. Change the waste field when your installer or box count history suggests a different allowance.
Why does diagonal layout use more waste?
Diagonal sets turn more cuts at the perimeter and around obstacles. More triangles and slivers end up in the scrap pile. The default 15% on diagonal is higher than the 10% straight default for the same floor area.
How do boxes interact with waste?
The tool counts whole tiles after waste, then rounds up to full boxes using the tiles-per-box you enter. A few extra tiles can jump you one box—enter your real box size from the carton before you compare quotes.
Can I set a custom waste percent?
Yes. Choose custom waste on the tile calculator and type any percentage. Layout presets only fill the field when you switch patterns; they do not lock you in once you override.
By Home Yard Calc Editorial Team · Sources listed on the methodology page · Last updated October 26, 2026