Tile Calculator
Size a floor or wall in square feet, pick tile dimensions, and round up to whole boxes. Layout presets suggest 10%, 15%, or 20% waste for straight, diagonal, or herringbone runs.
Formula example
A 120 ft² floor with 12×12 in tiles (face only, no joint in the module) needs 120 tiles before waste. Straight layout at 10% waste orders 132 tiles, which is 11 boxes at 12 tiles per box.
Layout waste defaults
Industry guides often quote 10% / 15% / 20% as starting points for straight, diagonal, and herringbone tile—not as code mandates. Treat them as editable suggestions, especially on floors with corridors, niches, or mixed sizes.
Boxes versus loose tile
Cartons protect corners in transit. Ordering full boxes after waste is applied avoids coming up short on the last row. The shopping list shows both tile count and box count so you can match a distributor quote.
FAQ
Are grout joints included in the tile count?
Not on this page—the module uses tile face area only, which matches how most field tile is ordered. The joint width you enter is passed to the grout calculator link, not added to each tile module here.
Why do diagonal and herringbone presets add more waste?
Cuts along diagonals and herringbone starters waste more pieces. The layout picker only changes the suggested waste percentage; you can still type your own number.
How are boxes rounded?
The tool ceil-rounds tile count after waste, then divides by tiles per box and rounds up again. On the default 120 ft² job that is 132 tiles and 11 boxes at 12 per carton.
What about large-format tile?
When either edge is 15 in or more, an info note reminds you that cutting waste may exceed the straight 10% default—raise waste if the layout has many cuts.
Where do I estimate grout?
Use the grout calculator link in the results. It opens with your net area, tile length and width, and joint width prefilled.
Can I use square feet per box instead of tile count?
The engine supports a square-foot-per-box mode for tests and future UI. This page uses tiles per box, which is the MVP default.
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By Home Yard Calc Editorial Team · Sources listed on the methodology page · Last updated October 26, 2026
Estimates only. Densities, coverage and salt targets vary by product, moisture and manufacturer. Confirm with your supplier or equipment manual. Not a substitute for professional design, soil engineering or pool service.