Tile Layout Calculator
Enter the floor or wall length and width, the tile and the joint, pick where to start, and get the tiles and boxes for a straight layout with the cut tiles counted, plus the cut at each wall for three starts. Running bond and herringbone layouts are not covered.
Estimates for planning, not professional advice. Read the full notice.
Example: a tiled floor laid from a wall
15 12x12 tile, box
- Whole tiles along the length 12 tiles
- Cut tile at the far end of the length 4 1/2 in
- Whole tiles along the width 9 tiles
- Cut tile at the far end of the width 10 7/8 in
- Tiles with every cut from its own tile and waste 143 tiles
Estimate for planning, from what you entered and the product data shown. Check product labels and your supplier before you buy.
Your project
Enter a size to see your total.
Each product is rounded up once for the whole project, so the total can be less than the items bought alone added together. A line counted from a cut layout (sheets, boards or tiles laid out piece by piece) is counted for each item and added.
Shopping list
| Item | Size | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Tile, by the box | 12x12 tile, box | 15 |
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Worked example: a tiled floor laid from a wall
Show the working
- Tile and joint: the pitch along each line 1 ft + 1/8 in = 12.125 in
- Whole tiles along the length, rounded down 12 ft 6 in ÷ 12.125 in = 12 tiles
- Whole tiles along the width, rounded down 10 ft ÷ 12.125 in = 9 tiles
- Tiles across the grid, a cut tile counted as a tile 13 tiles × 10 tiles = 130 tiles
- Add the waste allowance once, round up, then count boxes 143 tiles ÷ 10 = 15 × 12x12 tile, box
Assumptions
The figures behind the example. Sourced figures link to their source below; a default is a starting value to check against your label or supplier.
| Assumption | Value | Details and changes |
|---|---|---|
| Tile waste allowance | 10% | |
| Default A typical allowance, not a figure from a standard; check your label or supplier. Change it to the allowance you want. | ||
| Grout joint width | 0.125 in | |
| Default Your own grout joint; check the spacing on your tile label or supplier. | ||
| Tiles per box | 8 tiles | |
| Default Tiles per box is on your tile label or supplier's sheet; the list below offers common counts. | ||
Feet and inches, like 12' 6"
Cuts at the walls for three starts
Whole tiles and the cut tile at the wall on each line for the example floor, for each of three starts
| Start | Whole tiles on the length | Cut on the length | Whole tiles on the width | Cut on the width | Cuts under 2 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start at a wall | 12 | 4 1/2 in | 9 | 10 7/8 in | 0 |
| Centre on a tile (largest smallest cut) | 11 | 8 1/4 in | 9 | 5 3/8 in | 0 |
| Centre on a joint | 12 | 2 3/16 in | 8 | 11 7/16 in | 0 |
A centred start puts a cut tile on both walls, so its cut is shown for each wall. The start with the largest smallest cut is marked.
Questions
Where should the first tile go?
The table shows the cut tile at the wall for each of three starts: from a wall, centred on a tile and centred on a joint. The start whose smallest cut is largest is marked, and which one suits your room is your decision.
Is a thin cut tile a problem?
The table counts the cuts that fall under a smallest cut width of the example and shows each cut width, so you can compare the starts. Whether a narrow cut is acceptable depends on your tile and your installer.