Tile varies dramatically in price, but there’s something for every budget. This guide will help you plan for tile installation costs, no matter the project.
Tile Calculator: How Much Tile Do I Need?
Get quotes from ceramic tile pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from ceramic tile pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
Your tile square foot calculator needs project area measurements and tile dimensions, including grout line width, to determine how many tiles you'll need for accurate ordering.
Expect to pay $3 to $15 per square foot for professional tile installation labor, with additional costs of $2 to $7 per square foot if you need old tile removed first.
You should always add 10% extra tiles to your order to cover waste from cutting, breakage during installation, and future repairs your home might need.
Hiring a local tile professional removes the guesswork from measurements and grout spacing, ensuring your installation stays level and preventing costly mistakes with cutting and layout.
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Picking out new tiles can be tons of fun, but one of the many questions you’ll have to ask is: How much tile do I need? The answer depends on the square footage of your space and the size of the tiles. This tile calculator will help you determine the correct number of tiles to order based on the following factors.
Quick Reference: Tile Estimates by Project Size
You’ll need to consider a few factors when deciding how much tile to order, including the surface area of the project and the size of the tiles.
Before we get into formulas, here’s a quick overview of how many 4”x 4" tiles you might need for common project sizes. These numbers assume you’re using 1/8-inch grout lines (we’ll explain more about that below) and include a 10% overage to account for cutting, breakage, and future repairs.
| Project Size (in Square Feet) | Number of Tiles Required |
|---|---|
| 25 | 234 |
| 50 | 467 |
| 75 | 699 |
| 100 | 932 |
| 150 | 1,397 |
| 200 | 1,863 |
| 250 | 2,328 |
Calculating How Much Tile You Need
Before you can calculate how many tiles to buy, you’ll need to know the size of your project and the dimensions of your tiles. Then, you can use the following formula to determine the correct number of tiles:
Number of Tiles Needed = (Project Size (in Square Inches) / Tile Size (in Square Inches)) x 1.1
How to Measure for Tile Installation
alvarez / E+ / Getty Images
To calculate the correct amount of tile for your project, you’ll have to take a few measurements. Here’s how to do it.
How to Measure Square Feet for Tile
There are different ways to measure square footage for tile installations, depending on the layout of your space.
For a square or rectangular area, you’ll simply multiply the length and width to get its square footage.
If you’re measuring a circular area, measure the diameter of the circle and divide it in half. This will give you the radius of the circle, which you’ll then multiply by itself (to square it). Finally, multiply the squared radius by 3.14 to get the square footage of the tiled area.
For a triangular area, measure the base and divide it in half. Then, measure the height by extending the line from the base to the furthest point of the triangle. Multiply those two numbers to find the space’s square footage.
How to Measure Tile Sizes
Tiles come in various sizes, ranging from a quarter-inch to several feet in diameter. When shopping for tile, be sure to note the dimensions, since they’ll directly impact how many tiles you need to buy.
After you’ve chosen a tile size, add the size of the grout lines to the length and width of each tile. For example, if you’re using 4 x 4-inch tiles and 1/8-inch grout lines, the total size of each tile would be 4 1/8 x 4 1/8 inches. Then, multiply the length and width to get each tile’s area (in this example, it would be 17.02 inches).
Who to Hire for Tile Installation
Whether you’re retiling a shower, installing a new tile floor, or adding a backsplash, hiring a tile contractor is your best bet. Here’s why:
They have the expertise, skills, and tools to perform the job safely and successfully.
They work faster than the average DIYer.
They know how to minimize the risk of future problems with your tile, such as leaks and mold.
They can help you choose and order the right tiles and materials for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ceramic tile services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.6★ avg. • 42 total reviews
- Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Manoj K.
It was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring Solutions - Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Stephanie S.
For several months I was looking for somebody to tile a wall in my master bath and move lighting fixtures, and could not find anybody who was responsive. I contacted Rowe through Home Advisor and within days they came by to assess the job and provide an estimate. The cost was very...
Rowe House Development - Timothy C.
It went very well! The end product was amazing and we keep getting a lot of compliments from friends! M&E were very professional and they made sure we were happy with the product before leaving. They met with us in our home and at the tile shop to make sure we were okay with our tile and...
M&E Remodeling - Kendrick V.
Involved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLC - Locke M.
Very pleased with the service and level of professionalism. Courteous and very unobtrusive in performing service. Unlike several other companies, Bradford Xteriors was willing to perform work on a three story home with a clay tile roof. <br />
Bradford Xteriors - Jeffrey B.
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling - Gary D.
He did the tile work and he was good at it. He used other subcontractors for the rest of the work (like putting in the cabinetry) and they were okay but not great. He was a great guy! He was easy to work with and had a good eye for the detail of his work. There were a couple of things that I...
Brian Miller Custom Remodeling - Michael S.
I was very impressed with Miller Cantrell! I live in an old home in which the sewage line that runs from my home to the sewage system is a line of clay tile. These eventually collapse and need to be replaced - an expensive problem and sure to happen at the worst time. I told them that my...
The homeowners guide to ceramic tile services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
You're planning a bathroom remodel, but how much will it cost to retile your bathroom? Read this guide to find out.
Damaged tiles should be fixed right away. In this guide, find out all of the different factors that affect your tile repair cost.
When figuring out how much tile to order, you should calculate square feet as accurately as possible. We’ll show you how in this handy DIY guide.
How much grout do I need? This calculator will help you estimate how much grout you’ll need to purchase for your tiles so that you can start budgeting.
Calculating how much thinset you need involves multiple steps. Use this guide to determine exactly how much of the bonding material you’ll need.