By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Tile is bought by the box, and the box coverage — not the tile size — is what matters. Cuts around edges, a diagonal layout and a pattern all add waste, so the allowance matters as much as the measurement.
Boxes of tile, thinset and grout for a floor or wall.
Area = L × W Units = ⌈Area × (1 + waste) ÷ coverage⌉ Cost = Units × price
One box covers 10 sq ft per box. Units are rounded up because suppliers sell whole box, and the waste allowance covers cuts, mistakes and future repairs.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| L, W | Room length and width (or wall length and height). |
| A | Area to cover, in square feet. |
| w | Waste allowance as a percentage. |
| N | Number of box to buy, rounded up. |
100 sq ft plus 10% is 110 sq ft, so 11 boxes. Add one spare box for future repairs.
Continue with the Paint Calculator, Wallpaper Calculator, Flooring Calculator, or the Carpet Calculator — or browse more home & garden projects and all construction calculators.
It depends on tile size. A box of 12 × 12 tile usually covers 10 sq ft (10 tiles); 12 × 24 covers about 16 sq ft with 8 tiles.
Results use standard construction estimating arithmetic: volumes from measured area and depth, unit weights from published material densities, and code-referenced spans or clearances where the page names a code. Quantities are rounded up to whole saleable units and include the stated waste allowance. These tools are planning aids, not structural design, and do not replace a licensed engineer, a local code check, or a contractor's site measurement.
Reference material used to build and check this calculator:
Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
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Content updated: September 2026