How to use the tile calculator
Enter the length and width of the floor or wall in feet, choose the tile size, grout joint width and layout pattern, and the calculator returns the number of individual tiles, the square footage and boxes to buy, and the bags of thinset and grout.
For a backsplash or shower wall, use the wall width as "length" and the tiled height as "width". Subtract windows or niches by running them as a separate calculation.
How many tiles do I need? The formula
Tiles = Area × (1 + Waste) ÷ Tile coverage
Boxes = Area × (1 + Waste) ÷ Sq ft per box
Example: an 80 sq ft bathroom floor with 12 × 24 in tiles and a 1/8 in joint: each tile covers about 2.02 sq ft. With 10% waste that is 88 sq ft ÷ 2.02 = 44 tiles.
How much extra tile to buy
- 10% for straight layouts in simple rooms
- 15% for diagonal layouts or rooms with many cuts
- 20% for herringbone and chevron
Keep a few spare tiles after the job. Matching the same dye lot years later is nearly impossible.
Tile installation cost (2026)
| Tile | Material / sq ft | Installed / sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $1–$5 | $7–$16 |
| Porcelain | $2–$8 | $8–$20 |
| Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate) | $5–$15 | $12–$30 |
| Glass / mosaic | $10–$30 | $18–$45 |
Labor usually runs $5–$11 per sq ft for standard layouts. Large-format tile (15 in and up), small mosaics, diagonal and herringbone patterns cost more because they take extra leveling and cutting.
Thinset and grout: how much?
A 50 lb bag of thinset covers about 65–95 sq ft with a 1/4 × 3/8 in notched trowel on standard tile. Large-format tile needs a 1/2 in trowel and back-buttering, so coverage drops to about 40–50 sq ft per bag.
Grout depends on the joint width and tile size — small tiles have many more joints. A 25 lb bag of sanded grout covers roughly 200–300 sq ft of 12×12 tile with 1/8 in joints, but only 60–100 sq ft of 2×2 mosaic.
Tile cost by state
Tiling a 10×8 ft bathroom floor with 12×24 porcelain — estimated cost by state. Figures use the same assumptions as the calculator above.
| State | Low | High | vs. US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| US average | $807 | $1,918 | — |
| Alabama | $721 | $1,737 | -13% |
| Alaska | $972 | $2,266 | +25% |
| Arizona | $781 | $1,862 | -4% |
| Arkansas | $715 | $1,723 | -14% |
| California | $952 | $2,224 | +22% |
| Colorado | $827 | $1,960 | +3% |
| Connecticut | $899 | $2,113 | +14% |
| Delaware | $833 | $1,974 | +4% |
| District of Columbia | $906 | $2,127 | +15% |
| Florida | $774 | $1,848 | -5% |
| Georgia | $748 | $1,793 | -9% |
| Hawaii | $1,018 | $2,363 | +32% |
| Idaho | $767 | $1,835 | -6% |
| Illinois | $873 | $2,057 | +10% |
| Indiana | $774 | $1,848 | -5% |
| Iowa | $774 | $1,848 | -5% |
| Kansas | $761 | $1,821 | -7% |
| Kentucky | $754 | $1,807 | -8% |
| Louisiana | $741 | $1,779 | -10% |
| Maine | $807 | $1,918 | 0% |
| Maryland | $820 | $1,946 | +2% |
| Massachusetts | $939 | $2,196 | +20% |
| Michigan | $807 | $1,918 | 0% |
| Minnesota | $853 | $2,015 | +7% |
| Mississippi | $702 | $1,695 | -16% |
| Missouri | $794 | $1,890 | -2% |
| Montana | $781 | $1,862 | -4% |
| Nebraska | $761 | $1,821 | -7% |
| Nevada | $833 | $1,974 | +4% |
| New Hampshire | $833 | $1,974 | +4% |
| New Jersey | $919 | $2,155 | +17% |
| New Mexico | $748 | $1,793 | -9% |
| New York | $939 | $2,196 | +20% |
| North Carolina | $735 | $1,765 | -11% |
| North Dakota | $781 | $1,862 | -4% |
| Ohio | $787 | $1,876 | -3% |
| Oklahoma | $728 | $1,751 | -12% |
| Oregon | $847 | $2,001 | +6% |
| Pennsylvania | $827 | $1,960 | +3% |
| Rhode Island | $873 | $2,057 | +10% |
| South Carolina | $728 | $1,751 | -12% |
| South Dakota | $741 | $1,779 | -10% |
| Tennessee | $741 | $1,779 | -10% |
| Texas | $754 | $1,807 | -8% |
| Utah | $781 | $1,862 | -4% |
| Vermont | $820 | $1,946 | +2% |
| Virginia | $781 | $1,862 | -4% |
| Washington | $873 | $2,057 | +10% |
| West Virginia | $748 | $1,793 | -9% |
| Wisconsin | $814 | $1,932 | +1% |
| Wyoming | $761 | $1,821 | -7% |
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles do I need for 100 square feet?
With 12×12 in tile and 10% waste you need about 110 tiles for 100 sq ft. With 12×24 in tile you need about 55, and with 3×6 in subway tile about 830.
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom floor?
A typical 40–80 sq ft bathroom floor costs about $400–$1,900 for porcelain tile fully installed, plus underlayment and removal of the old floor if needed.
How many boxes of tile do I need?
Multiply the area by 1.10 (or 1.15 for diagonal layouts), then divide by the square feet per box printed on the label and round up.
How much thinset do I need?
Plan on one 50 lb bag per 65–95 sq ft for standard tile, or one bag per 40–50 sq ft for large-format tile over 15 inches.
What size grout joint should I use?
Rectified porcelain can use 1/16–1/8 in joints. Most floor tile uses 1/8–3/16 in. Handmade or irregular tile often needs 1/4 in. Always follow the tile manufacturer’s minimum.