Bookmarks    
nPr and nCr    
Random Number    
SD Calculator    
Sample Size    
Percent Error    
Density    
Molarity    
Molar Mass    
Ohm's Law    
Watts to Amps    
Voltage Drop    
Long Division    
Mixed Numbers    
Rounding    
Nth Root    
Exponents    
Half-Life    
Polar Form    
De Moivre    
3D Distance    
Point to Line    
Cross Product    
Determinant    
Sin Cos Tan    
Triangle Area    
Scale Factor    
Sector Area    
Ellipse Area    
Cube Volume    
Box Volume    
Sphere Volume    
Cone Volume    
Pipe Volume    
Time Duration    
Time Card    
Present Value    
Future Value    
Churn Rate    
A/B Test Calc    
SEO Traffic    
Ideal Weight    
Fat Intake    
Child Height    
Golf Handicap    
Heat Index    
Wind Chill    
Dew Point    
Download Time    
kWh to Cost    
AC Size (BTU)    
Heating Costs    
LED Savings    
Trip Gas Cost    
Tire Size    
Solar Output    
Solar Payback    
Battery Size    
Wall Area    
Gravel Needed    
Mortar Mix    
Slope Grade    
Curtain Size    
Soil Needed    
Sod Needed    
Ramp Length    
Blind Size    
Drain Slope    
Board Feet    
Heat Loss    
Furniture Fit    
Moving Boxes    
Plywood Cuts    
Shelf Sag    
   Add
Probability and random number calculators
Independent Events
Independent Events
Two Events Solver
Two Events Solver
Repeated Trials
Repeated Trials
Bayes' Theorem
Bayes' Theorem
Expected Value
Expected Value
Binomial Distribution
Binomial Distribution
nPr and nCr
nPr and nCr
Circular Permutation
Circular Permutation
With Repetition
With Repetition
Random Number
Random Number
Averages and statistics calculators
Average Calculator
Average Calculator
Mean Median Mode
Mean Median Mode
SD Calculator
SD Calculator
Quartiles & IQR
Quartiles & IQR
Frequency Table
Frequency Table
Correlation (r)
Correlation (r)
Normal Probability
Normal Probability
Z-Score Calculator
Z-Score Calculator
Confidence Interval
Confidence Interval
Sample Size
Sample Size
Mark & Recapture
Mark & Recapture
P-Value Calculator
P-Value Calculator
Percentage and ratio calculators
Percentage Calc
Percentage Calc
Percent Change
Percent Change
Percent Difference
Percent Difference
Percent Error
Percent Error
Ratio Calculator
Ratio Calculator
Discount Calculator
Discount Calculator
Sales Tax Calculator
Sales Tax Calculator
Margin Calculator
Margin Calculator
Speed calculators
Speed Calculator
Speed Calculator
Density and concentration calculators
Density
Density
Molarity
Molarity
Molar Mass
Molar Mass
Physics and electricity calculators
Ohm's Law
Ohm's Law
Watts to Amps
Watts to Amps
Resistor Colors
Resistor Colors
Voltage Drop
Voltage Drop
Unit conversion calculators
Weight Converter
Weight Converter
Shoe Size Converter
Shoe Size Converter
Integer and signed number calculators
Long Division
Long Division
LCM Calculator
LCM Calculator
GCF Calculator
GCF Calculator
Integer Calculator
Integer Calculator
Prime Factorization
Prime Factorization
Diophantine Solver
Diophantine Solver
Modulo Calculator
Modulo Calculator
Factor Calculator
Factor Calculator
Roman Numerals
Roman Numerals
Fraction, decimal and rounding calculators
Fraction Calculator
Fraction Calculator
Mixed Numbers
Mixed Numbers
Simplify Fractions
Simplify Fractions
Fraction to Decimal
Fraction to Decimal
Decimal to Fraction
Decimal to Fraction
Rounding
Rounding
Equation and inequality calculators
Linear Equation
Linear Equation
Linear Systems
Linear Systems
Quadratic Formula
Quadratic Formula
Absolute Value
Absolute Value
Quadratic Inequality
Quadratic Inequality
Polynomial calculators
Binomial Theorem
Binomial Theorem
Square root and nth root calculators
Simplify Radicals
Simplify Radicals
Nth Root
Nth Root
Exponent and logarithm calculators
Exponents
Exponents
Log Calculator
Log Calculator
Number of Digits
Number of Digits
Scientific Notation
Scientific Notation
Sci. Notation Math
Sci. Notation Math
Half-Life
Half-Life
Complex number calculators
Complex Numbers
Complex Numbers
Polar Form
Polar Form
De Moivre
De Moivre
Function and graph calculators
Slope Calculator
Slope Calculator
Linear Function
Linear Function
Direct & Inverse Variation
Direct & Inverse Variation
y = ax² Calculator
y = ax² Calculator
Distance Formula
Distance Formula
3D Distance
3D Distance
Section Formula
Section Formula
Point to Line
Point to Line
Lat/Long Distance
Lat/Long Distance
Complete the Square
Complete the Square
Circle Equation
Circle Equation
Conic Sections
Conic Sections
Polar Coordinates
Polar Coordinates
Sequence calculators
Arithmetic Sequence
Arithmetic Sequence
Geometric Sequence
Geometric Sequence
Fibonacci Sequence
Fibonacci Sequence
Recurrence Relation
Recurrence Relation
Vector calculators
Vector Calculator
Vector Calculator
Cross Product
Cross Product
Matrix calculators
Matrix Calculator
Matrix Calculator
Determinant
Determinant
Inverse Matrix
Inverse Matrix
Plane geometry calculators
Sin Cos Tan
Sin Cos Tan
Degrees ⇔ Radians
Degrees ⇔ Radians
a sin θ + b cos θ
a sin θ + b cos θ
Triangle Solver
Triangle Solver
Triangle Area
Triangle Area
Right Triangle
Right Triangle
Pythagorean Theorem
Pythagorean Theorem
Polygon Angles
Polygon Angles
Scale Factor
Scale Factor
Parallel Lines
Parallel Lines
Rectangle Area
Rectangle Area
Parallelogram Area
Parallelogram Area
Trapezoid Area
Trapezoid Area
Circle Calculator
Circle Calculator
Sector Area
Sector Area
Inscribed Angle
Inscribed Angle
Ellipse Area
Ellipse Area
Solid geometry calculators
Cube Volume
Cube Volume
Cube Surface Area
Cube Surface Area
Box Volume
Box Volume
Box Surface Area
Box Surface Area
Cylinder Volume
Cylinder Volume
Cylinder Surface
Cylinder Surface
Sphere Volume
Sphere Volume
Sphere Surface
Sphere Surface
Spherical Cap Volume
Spherical Cap Volume
Cap Surface Area
Cap Surface Area
Ellipsoid Volume
Ellipsoid Volume
Ellipsoid Surface
Ellipsoid Surface
Pyramid Volume
Pyramid Volume
Pyramid Surface
Pyramid Surface
Cone Volume
Cone Volume
Cone Surface Area
Cone Surface Area
Frustum Volume
Frustum Volume
Frustum Surface Area
Frustum Surface Area
Pipe Volume
Pipe Volume
Capsule Volume
Capsule Volume
Capsule Surface Area
Capsule Surface Area
Date and time calculators
Age Calculator
Age Calculator
Days Between Dates
Days Between Dates
Date Calculator
Date Calculator
Hours From Now
Hours From Now
Day of the Week
Day of the Week
Time Calculator
Time Calculator
Time Zone Converter
Time Zone Converter
Hours Calculator
Hours Calculator
Time Duration
Time Duration
Time Card
Time Card
Finance and economics calculators
Compound Interest
Compound Interest
Simple Interest
Simple Interest
Interest Calculator
Interest Calculator
TVM Calculator
TVM Calculator
Present Value
Present Value
Future Value
Future Value
ROI Calculator
ROI Calculator
IRR Calculator
IRR Calculator
Payback Period
Payback Period
Average Return
Average Return
GDP Calculator
GDP Calculator
Web marketing and ad metric calculators
CTR Calculator
CTR Calculator
Conversion Rate
Conversion Rate
CPC, CPM & CPA
CPC, CPM & CPA
ROAS Calculator
ROAS Calculator
Break-Even CPA
Break-Even CPA
LTV Calculator
LTV Calculator
CAC Calculator
CAC Calculator
Churn Rate
Churn Rate
A/B Test Calc
A/B Test Calc
A/B Sample Size
A/B Sample Size
SEO Traffic
SEO Traffic
Break-Even Point
Break-Even Point
Markup vs. Margin
Markup vs. Margin
CAGR Calculator
CAGR Calculator
Health and fitness calculators
BMI Calculator
BMI Calculator
Sleep Calculator
Sleep Calculator
Calorie Calculator
Calorie Calculator
BMR Calculator
BMR Calculator
TDEE Calculator
TDEE Calculator
Ideal Weight
Ideal Weight
Body Fat Calculator
Body Fat Calculator
Lean Body Mass
Lean Body Mass
Calories Burned
Calories Burned
Protein Intake
Protein Intake
Macro Calculator
Macro Calculator
Carb Calculator
Carb Calculator
Fat Intake
Fat Intake
Child Height
Child Height
Sports calculators
Golf Handicap
Golf Handicap
Pace Calculator
Pace Calculator
1RM Calculator
1RM Calculator
Target Heart Rate
Target Heart Rate
Weather calculators
Heat Index
Heat Index
Wind Chill
Wind Chill
Dew Point
Dew Point
Computer calculators
Base Converter
Base Converter
Subnet Calculator
Subnet Calculator
Download Time
Download Time
Household energy and budget calculators
Electricity Cost
Electricity Cost
kWh to Cost
kWh to Cost
Yearly kWh to Cost
Yearly kWh to Cost
AC Size (BTU)
AC Size (BTU)
AC Running Cost
AC Running Cost
Heating Costs
Heating Costs
Gas vs Electric
Gas vs Electric
LED Savings
LED Savings
Salary Calculator
Salary Calculator
Budget Calculator
Budget Calculator
Car calculators
Trip Gas Cost
Trip Gas Cost
EV Charging Cost
EV Charging Cost
EV vs Gas Cost
EV vs Gas Cost
MPG Calculator
MPG Calculator
Tire Size
Tire Size
Solar power and battery calculators
Solar Output
Solar Output
Solar Panel Count
Solar Panel Count
Solar Payback
Solar Payback
Battery Size
Battery Size
Home and DIY calculators
Tile Calculator
Tile Calculator
Stair Calculator
Stair Calculator
Concrete Volume
Concrete Volume
Wall Area
Wall Area
Wallpaper Rolls
Wallpaper Rolls
Paint Calculator
Paint Calculator
Flooring Needed
Flooring Needed
Exterior Walls
Exterior Walls
Gravel Needed
Gravel Needed
Mortar Mix
Mortar Mix
Slope Grade
Slope Grade
Lumber Cut List
Lumber Cut List
Lot Coverage/FAR
Lot Coverage/FAR
Sheet Vinyl Roll
Sheet Vinyl Roll
Insulation Needed
Insulation Needed
Curtain Size
Curtain Size
TV Size & Distance
TV Size & Distance
Soil Needed
Soil Needed
Sod Needed
Sod Needed
Block Calculator
Block Calculator
Brick Calculator
Brick Calculator
Deck Materials
Deck Materials
Ramp Length
Ramp Length
Pilot Hole Size
Pilot Hole Size
Room Ventilation
Room Ventilation
Paint Thinning
Paint Thinning
Baseboard & Trim
Baseboard & Trim
Blind Size
Blind Size
Picture Hanging
Picture Hanging
Drain Slope
Drain Slope
Screw Calculator
Screw Calculator
Board Feet
Board Feet
Fence Calculator
Fence Calculator
Wood Shrinkage
Wood Shrinkage
Caulk Calculator
Caulk Calculator
Heat Loss
Heat Loss
Furniture Fit
Furniture Fit
Moving Boxes
Moving Boxes
Storage Capacity
Storage Capacity
Plywood Cuts
Plywood Cuts
Shelf Sag
Shelf Sag

Tile Calculator (How Many Tiles, Boxes and Cost)

Enter the tile size, the grout width and the area to tile. Tiles per box and price are optional (if left blank, they are not calculated).

The grout width can be 0. A negative value is treated as an overlap.
Result and figure
Enter the tile size and the area to tile in the fields on the left and press "Calculate". The result will appear here.

What you can do on this page

  • Enter the size of one tile (length × width) and the size of the area to tile, and you get the number of tiles you need on the spot
  • The grout width (the gap between tiles) is included in the count. Enter a negative value to calculate pieces that overlap at the edges
  • The result also shows how many to buy with 5-10% extra for cuts, breakage and spares
  • Enter the tiles per box and the price, and you also get the number of boxes and an estimated cost
  • A plain-language explanation of the formulas and copy-and-paste formulas for Excel, Google Sheets and Python are all on this page
The count is an estimate based on area. How many tiles you really need depends on the waste from cuts, which changes with the layout and the shape of the room, so it is common to buy 5-10% extra. By default this page works in inches and feet; switch "Units" above the calculator to Metric to use mm, cm and m.

What is this calculation used for?

DIY tiling a bathroom, laundry room or entryway

Say you tile a 5 × 5 ft bathroom floor (25 ft²) with 4 × 4 in tiles and 1/8 in grout. Each tile takes up \((4 + 0.125)^2 = 17.015625\) in², so you need \(\lceil 25 \times 144 \div 17.015625 \rceil = 212\) tiles, or 223 to 234 with waste.
The smaller the tile, the faster the count goes up. Working it out before you shop helps you avoid running short or buying far too many.

Checking a remodeling quote

A remodeling quote lists items such as "kitchen floor tile, 200 sq ft" with the material cost. With large 24 × 24 in tiles and 1/8 in grout, each tile takes up \(24.125^2 = 582.015625\) in², so 200 ft² needs \(\lceil 200 \times 144 \div 582.015625 \rceil = 50\) tiles before waste.
Knowing this formula lets you follow where the tile count and material cost in a quote come from, and makes it easier to list the questions to ask the contractor. (A real quote also includes labor, surface preparation and the waste factor, so the tile count alone cannot tell you whether the price is fair.)

Laying interlocking deck tiles on a balcony or patio

Snap-together 12 × 12 in deck tiles that just sit on the surface are a popular DIY project, even for renters. A 4 × 10 ft balcony (40 ft²) with no gaps (grout width 0) takes exactly \(40 \div 1 = 40\) tiles, since each tile is 1 ft².
Deck tiles are usually sold in packs of 10 or so, so using the box formula to work out the number of packs (4 packs here) lets you order in one go.

Planning a mosaic art project at school or an event

A mosaic mural for a school fair, or a bulletin board covered with squares of colored paper, can be estimated with this formula too. To fill a 6 × 8 ft wall (48 ft² = 6,912 in²) with 2 × 2 in pieces and no gaps, you need \(6912 \div 4 = 1728\) pieces.
If you count the share of each color on the design sketch, you can also work out how many pieces of each color you need in advance.

Formulas and figures

Area covered by one tile with grout
Figure
Standard notation (the usual math form)
\(a\) \(=\) \((\) \(l\) \(+\) \(g\) \()\) \(\times\) \((\) \(w\) \(+\) \(g\) \()\)
In words (symbols replaced with words)
④ \(a\): area per tile with grout \(=\) \((\) ① \(l\): tile length \(+\) ② \(g\): grout width \()\) \(\times\) \((\) ③ \(w\): tile width \(+\) \(g\): grout width \()\)
The formula in words
① Take the \(l\): tile length
② and add the \(g\): grout width to get the space one tile takes up lengthwise
③ add the same grout width to the \(w\): tile width to get the space it takes up widthwise, and multiply the two
④ and you get the \(a\): area per tile with grout
Quick example
When you lay 12 × 12 in tiles with 1/8 in (0.125 in) grout lines, the area one tile takes up is
area \(a\) \(=\) \((\) length (12 in) \(+\) grout (0.125 in) \()\) \(\times\) \((\) width (12 in) \(+\) grout (0.125 in) \()\)
\((12 + 0.125) \times (12 + 0.125) = 12.125 \times 12.125 = 147.015625\,\mathrm{in^2}\)
\(147.015625 \div 144 \approx 1.021\,\mathrm{ft^2}\)
Key idea
Tiles are laid with a gap (a grout line) between them, so the space one tile really takes up is "tile size + grout width". The key is to add the grout width to both the length and the width. If the pieces overlap a little, enter a negative grout width: the area per piece gets smaller and you need more pieces. Before calculating, put the length, width and grout width in the same unit. This page does it for you (inches in US units, meters in metric). Since 1 ft² = 12 × 12 = 144 in², divide by 144 to turn in² into ft².
Number of tiles needed
Figure
Standard notation (the usual math form)
\(N\) \(=\) \(\lceil\) \(S\) \(\div\) \(a\) \(\rceil\)
In words (symbols replaced with words)
④ \(N\): tiles needed \(=\) ③ \(\lceil\) ① \(S\): area to tile \(\div\) ② \(a\): area per tile with grout \(\rceil\)
The formula in words
① Take the \(S\): area to tile
② divide it by the \(a\): area per tile with grout to see how many tiles' worth of space it is
③ round up to a whole number (the symbol \(\lceil\ \rceil\) means "round up")
④ and you get the \(N\): tiles needed
Quick example
To tile a 12 × 10 ft floor (120 ft² = 17,280 in²) with the tiles above (147.015625 in² each), the number of tiles needed is
tiles needed \(N\) \(=\) \(\lceil\) area (17,280 in²) \(\div\) area per tile (147.015625 in²) \(\rceil\)
\(17280 \div 147.015625 \approx 117.54\)
\(\lceil 117.54 \rceil = 118\)
Key idea
You can only buy whole tiles, so if the division leaves a decimal, always round up (117.54 tiles → 118 tiles). Rounding down or rounding to the nearest whole number would leave you short. The symbol for rounding up is \(\lceil\ \rceil\) (the ceiling function). Note that this count is "how many tiles' worth of area" the floor is. In real work you cut tiles at the edges of the room, and the cut-off pieces cannot always be used elsewhere, so the real count goes up depending on the layout. The "5-10% extra" in the next formula covers this.
Tiles to buy with waste (5-10% extra)
Standard notation (the usual math form)
\(N_{5}\) \(=\) \(\lceil\) \(N\) \(\times\) \(1.05\) \(\rceil\)
\(N_{10}\) \(=\) \(\lceil\) \(N\) \(\times\) \(1.10\) \(\rceil\)
In words (symbols replaced with words)
③ \(N_{5}\): count with 5% extra \(=\) \(\lceil\) ① \(N\): tiles needed \(\times\) ② 1.05: factor for 5% extra \(\rceil\)
\(N_{10}\): count with 10% extra \(=\) \(\lceil\) \(N\): tiles needed \(\times\) 1.10: factor for 10% extra \(\rceil\)
The formula in words
① Take the \(N\): tiles needed
② multiply it by the factors for 5% and 10% extra (1.05 and 1.10) and round up
③ and you get the tiles to buy with waste (\(N_{5}\) to \(N_{10}\))
Quick example
When you need 118 tiles, the number to buy with waste is
\(\lceil 118 \times 1.05 \rceil = \lceil 123.9 \rceil = 124\)
\(\lceil 118 \times 1.10 \rceil = \lceil 129.8 \rceil = 130\)
Key idea
Tiles have to be cut to fit at the edges of the room and around posts and pipes, so you need extra for cuts, breakage and mistakes. How much waste you get depends on the layout and the shape of the room, so it is common to buy 5-10% more rather than the exact count. For layouts that make more waste, such as a diagonal (diamond) pattern, plan on the high side (10% or more). Keeping a few spare tiles is also useful for repairs later, because a later batch of the same tile may not match in color.
Number of boxes needed
Standard notation (the usual math form)
\(B\) \(=\) \(\lceil\) \(N\) \(\div\) \(k\) \(\rceil\)
In words (symbols replaced with words)
③ \(B\): boxes needed \(=\) \(\lceil\) ① \(N\): tiles needed \(\div\) ② \(k\): tiles per box \(\rceil\)
The formula in words
① Take the \(N\): tiles needed
② divide it by the \(k\): tiles per box and round up
③ and you get the \(B\): boxes needed
Quick example
When you need 118 tiles and they come 15 to a box, the number of boxes needed is
boxes needed \(B\) \(=\) \(\lceil\) tiles needed (118) \(\div\) per box (15) \(\rceil\)
\(118 \div 15 \approx 7.87\)
\(\lceil 7.87 \rceil = 8\)
Key idea
Tile is usually sold by the box (carton), not by the piece, so you find the number of boxes by rounding up, just like the tile count. To buy with waste, divide the counts with 5-10% extra (\(N_{5}\) to \(N_{10}\) from the previous formula) by \(k\) and round up. In this example, 124 tiles is \(\lceil 124 \div 15 \rceil = 9\) boxes, and 130 tiles is also \(\lceil 130 \div 15 \rceil = 9\) boxes.
Estimated cost
Standard notation (the usual math form)
In words (symbols replaced with words)
\(T\) \(=\) \(u\) \(\times\) \(Q\)
③ \(T\): estimated cost \(=\) ① \(u\): unit price \(\times\) ② \(Q\): quantity
The formula in words
① Take the \(u\): unit price (price per tile, per box or per ft²)
② multiply it by the \(Q\): quantity (tiles, boxes or area, to match the unit price)
③ and you get the \(T\): estimated cost
Quick example
The cost of 118 tiles at $2.50 each is
estimated cost \(T\) \(=\) unit price ($2.50) \(\times\) quantity (118 tiles)
\(2.50 \times 118 = 295\)
Key idea
The key is to match the unit of the price and the quantity. For a price per tile, multiply by the number of tiles \(N\); for a price per box, by the number of boxes \(B\); for a price per square foot, by the area \(S\). To budget with waste, do the same calculation with the counts with 5-10% extra and take the range. Grout, thinset (tile adhesive), tools and other supplies cost extra on top of the tile itself.
The basic rule is to divide the area to tile by the area one tile takes up with grout, and round up. Waste from cuts depends on the layout, so it is common to buy 5-10% extra.

Symbols and terms

Symbols

\(l\) ell The length of one tile. For the calculation it is put in inches (in US units). (Example - 1 ft → 12 in)
\(w\) double-u The width of one tile. For a square tile it is the same as the length.
\(g\) gee The grout width (the gap between tiles). A negative value means an overlap.
\(a\) ay The area one tile takes up, grout included. It is found with \(a = (l+g)(w+g)\).
\(S\) ess The area to tile. You enter it as length × width, or as a total area (ft²).
\(N\) en The number of tiles needed. It is found with \(N = \lceil S \div a \rceil\).
\(N_{5}\), \(N_{10}\) N sub 5, N sub 10 The number of tiles to buy with waste (cuts and spares). They are the tiles needed plus 5% and plus 10%, rounded up.
\(k\) kay The number of tiles in one box (carton).
\(B\) bee The number of boxes needed. It is found with \(B = \lceil N \div k \rceil\).
\(u\) you The unit price of the tile (per tile, per box or per square foot).
\(Q\) cue The quantity that matches the unit of the price (number of tiles, number of boxes or area).
\(T\) tee The estimated cost (tile only; grout, adhesive and other supplies are not included).
\(\lceil x \rceil\) ceiling of x The symbol for rounding up to a whole number (the ceiling function). (Example - \(\lceil 117.54 \rceil = 118\), \(\lceil 8 \rceil = 8\))

Terms

grout line (grout joint) The gap left between tiles and filled with grout (a cement-based filler). It absorbs small size differences between tiles and helps prevent cracking and loose tiles. In the US, 1/16 to 1/4 in is common, with 1/8 in typical for floor tile, but the right width depends on the tile and where it goes.
waste The cut-off pieces left over when tiles are cut to fit at the edges of the room or around posts. The amount depends on the layout and the shape of the room, so it is common to buy 5-10% more than the tiles needed (often called a waste factor or overage).
area to tile The size of the surface you tile. For a floor it is the floor area; for a wall it is the area to be covered. If there are parts you do not tile, such as windows or doors, subtract them first.
rounding up Raising a number with a decimal part to the next whole number. You can only buy whole tiles and boxes, so counts are always rounded up.
overlap (lapping) Laying pieces so that their edges cover each other a little, as with roof shingles or siding. The overlap makes the area each piece covers smaller, so you need more pieces. On this page, enter a negative grout width to calculate an overlap.

Good to know before you start

Here is what helps you use the calculation on this page with real understanding, not just by pressing the button.

Area of a rectangle (Grade 3)
  • Knowing that the area of a rectangle is length × width
Converting units of length and area (Grades 4–5)
  • Knowing that 1 ft = 12 in and 1 yd = 3 ft
  • Knowing that for area you multiply by the conversion number twice, as in 1 ft² = 12 × 12 = 144 in²
Multiplying and dividing decimals (Grades 5–6)
  • Understanding what decimal calculations such as \(12.125 \times 12.125\) and \(17280 \div 147.015625\) mean (a calculator can do the arithmetic)
Percents (Grade 6)
  • Knowing that "5% more" can be calculated as "× 1.05"
Rounding (Grades 3–4)
  • Knowing the difference between rounding up, rounding down and rounding to the nearest whole number
  • Being able to explain in your own words why material counts are always rounded up

How to calculate it in Excel

Copy the whole table below and paste it into cell A1 in Excel. It works as is.
Table to find the area per tile with grout
Tile length (in) 12
Tile width (in) 12
Grout width (in) 0.125
Area per tile (in²) =(B1+B3)*(B2+B3)
Table to find the tiles needed
Area to tile (ft²) 120
Area per tile with grout (in²) 147.015625
Tiles needed =ROUNDUP(B1*144/B2,0)
Table to find the tiles to buy with waste
Tiles needed 118
Count with 5% extra =ROUNDUP(B1*1.05,0)
Count with 10% extra =ROUNDUP(B1*1.1,0)
Table to find the boxes needed
Tiles needed 118
Tiles per box 15
Boxes needed =ROUNDUP(B1/B2,0)
Table to find the estimated cost
Unit price ($) 2.5
Quantity (tiles, boxes or ft²) 118
Estimated cost ($) =B1*B2
After pasting, the upper rows of column B are your inputs and the last row is calculated automatically.
"ROUNDUP(value, 0)" rounds up to a whole number (the ⌈ ⌉ in the formulas).
The first table adds the grout width to the tile length and width in inches and multiplies them (B4 shows 147.015625).
In the second table, "*144" turns the area in ft² into in² before dividing, and B3 shows 118. The third table gives 124 and 130, and B3 in the fourth table is 8 boxes. Just replace the numbers in column B with your own.

How to calculate it in Google Sheets

Copy the whole table below and paste it into cell A1 in Google Sheets. It works as is.
Table to find the area per tile with grout
Tile length (in) 12
Tile width (in) 12
Grout width (in) 0.125
Area per tile (in²) =(B1+B3)*(B2+B3)
Table to find the tiles needed
Area to tile (ft²) 120
Area per tile with grout (in²) 147.015625
Tiles needed =ROUNDUP(B1*144/B2,0)
Table to find the tiles to buy with waste
Tiles needed 118
Count with 5% extra =ROUNDUP(B1*1.05,0)
Count with 10% extra =ROUNDUP(B1*1.1,0)
Table to find the boxes needed
Tiles needed 118
Tiles per box 15
Boxes needed =ROUNDUP(B1/B2,0)
Table to find the estimated cost
Unit price ($) 2.5
Quantity (tiles, boxes or ft²) 118
Estimated cost ($) =B1*B2
The same formulas as in Excel (including the ROUNDUP function) work as is. Copy the whole table, paste it into cell A1, and replace the numbers in column B with your own.

How to calculate it in Python

import math

tile_length_in = 12      # tile length (in)
tile_width_in = 12       # tile width (in)
grout_in = 0.125         # grout width, gap between tiles (in)
room_length_ft = 12      # room length (ft)
room_width_ft = 10       # room width (ft)
tiles_per_box = 15       # tiles per box
price_per_tile = 2.50    # price per tile ($)

# area one tile takes up with grout (in²). 1 ft² = 144 in²
tile_area_in2 = (tile_length_in + grout_in) * (tile_width_in + grout_in)
total_area_ft2 = room_length_ft * room_width_ft

tiles_needed = math.ceil(total_area_ft2 * 144 / tile_area_in2)  # tiles needed (round up)
tiles_low = math.ceil(tiles_needed * 1.05)                      # with waste, 5% extra
tiles_high = math.ceil(tiles_needed * 1.10)                     # with waste, 10% extra
boxes_needed = math.ceil(tiles_needed / tiles_per_box)          # boxes needed (round up)
cost = tiles_needed * price_per_tile                            # estimated cost ($)

print(f"Area to tile: {total_area_ft2} ft²")
print(f"Tiles needed: {tiles_needed}")
print(f"Tiles to buy with waste: {tiles_low} to {tiles_high}")
print(f"Boxes needed: {boxes_needed}")
print(f"Estimated cost: ${cost:.2f}")
Runs with the standard library only. math.ceil() rounds up (the ⌈ ⌉ in the formulas). Replace the sizes and the price at the top with your own numbers and run it.

How to write it in LaTeX and other math languages (copy and paste)

Area covered by one tile with grout
a = (l + g) × (w + g)
a = (l + g)(w + g)
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
  <mrow>
    <mi>a</mi>
    <mo>=</mo>
    <mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>l</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>g</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow>
    <mo>&#x2062;</mo>
    <mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>w</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>g</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow>
  </mrow>
</math>
a = (l + g)(w + g)
(l + g)*(w + g)
a := (l + g)*(w + g);
a = (l + g)*(w + g);
a = (l + g)(w + g)
Number of tiles needed
N = ⌈S ÷ a⌉
N = \left\lceil \frac{S}{a} \right\rceil
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
  <mrow>
    <mi>N</mi>
    <mo>=</mo>
    <mo>&#x2308;</mo>
    <mfrac><mi>S</mi><mi>a</mi></mfrac>
    <mo>&#x2309;</mo>
  </mrow>
</math>
N = |~ S / a ~|
Ceiling[s/a]
N := ceil(S/a);
N = ceil(S/a);
N = ⌈S/a⌉
Tiles to buy with waste (5-10% extra)
N₅ = ⌈N × 1.05⌉,  N₁₀ = ⌈N × 1.10⌉
N_{5} = \lceil N \times 1.05 \rceil,\quad N_{10} = \lceil N \times 1.10 \rceil
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
  <mrow>
    <msub><mi>N</mi><mn>5</mn></msub>
    <mo>=</mo>
    <mo>&#x2308;</mo>
    <mi>N</mi><mo>&#xD7;</mo><mn>1.05</mn>
    <mo>&#x2309;</mo>
    <mo>,</mo>
    <msub><mi>N</mi><mn>10</mn></msub>
    <mo>=</mo>
    <mo>&#x2308;</mo>
    <mi>N</mi><mo>&#xD7;</mo><mn>1.10</mn>
    <mo>&#x2309;</mo>
  </mrow>
</math>
N_5 = |~ N xx 1.05 ~|,  N_10 = |~ N xx 1.10 ~|
{Ceiling[n*1.05], Ceiling[n*1.10]}
N5 := ceil(N*1.05);  N10 := ceil(N*1.10);
N5 = ceil(N*1.05); N10 = ceil(N*1.10);
N_5 = ⌈N × 1.05⌉, N_10 = ⌈N × 1.10⌉
Number of boxes needed
B = ⌈N ÷ k⌉
B = \left\lceil \frac{N}{k} \right\rceil
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
  <mrow>
    <mi>B</mi>
    <mo>=</mo>
    <mo>&#x2308;</mo>
    <mfrac><mi>N</mi><mi>k</mi></mfrac>
    <mo>&#x2309;</mo>
  </mrow>
</math>
B = |~ N / k ~|
Ceiling[n/k]
B := ceil(N/k);
B = ceil(N/k);
B = ⌈N/k⌉
Estimated cost
T = u × Q
T = u \times Q
<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block">
  <mrow>
    <mi>T</mi>
    <mo>=</mo>
    <mi>u</mi>
    <mo>&#xD7;</mo>
    <mi>Q</mi>
  </mrow>
</math>
T = u * Q
u*q
T := u*Q;
T = u*Q;
T = u × Q

How to have ChatGPT  do the calculation

You are a quantity calculation assistant for tile work. Do the following calculation by actually running Python code, and base your answer only on the numbers from the execution result (do not answer by mental math or guessing).

I am laying 12 × 12 inch tiles with 1/8 inch grout lines on a floor that is 12 ft long and 10 ft wide.
Find each of the following:
1. The area one tile takes up including grout (in²)
2. The number of tiles needed (area to tile ÷ area per tile, rounded up)
3. The number of tiles to buy with waste (the tiles needed plus 5% and plus 10%, each rounded up)
4. The number of boxes needed if there are 15 tiles per box (rounded up)

Show the formulas you used and the numbers from the execution result.

How to Use
  1. 1
    Enter your numbers
    Type the numbers you want to calculate with into the input fields
  2. 2
    Calculate
    Press the "Calculate" button
  3. 3
    Check the result
    The result appears on the spot. The same page also explains the idea behind the calculation and the formula
  DataChef Features
Easy and Free
Unlimited conversions for free.
No technical knowledge required.
Intuitive and user-friendly operation.
No Registration Required
Available immediately after access.
Can be used without registering personal information.
Safe and Secure
Fully SSL encrypted communication.
Automatic file deletion by clicking "download".
Fast
High-speed site access
and rapid file conversion.
No Watermark
No watermark.
No attribution required.
Commercial Use Available
Free for commercial use.
No need to contact us for commercial use permission.