Calcula tu Proyecto
Tile calculator: pieces and boxes
Calculate how many tiles, pavers, or ceramic pieces you need to cover a floor or wall, and how many boxes you'll have to buy. The tool calculates by dimensions or by total area, in metric (Europe/LatAm) or American (US) units, includes a waste margin for cuts, and estimates the cost. It works the same for tile, paver, porcelain, and stoneware.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · How we calculate
Input data
Results
Enter the data and press Calculate.
Results are estimates. Always verify manufacturer or supplier specifications before buying.
How the number of tiles is calculated
Calculating tiles means figuring out how much surface you'll cover and how many pieces fit on that surface, plus a margin for cuts. The reasoning is simple and this calculator does it for you, but it's worth understanding so you can check that the result makes sense. It all starts from three inputs: the area to cover, the area of each tile, and the waste percentage you leave for cuts.
First you get the area of the zone to cover. If you work by dimensions, you multiply the length by the width of the floor or wall. If you already know the surface, you can enter the total area directly. Then you calculate the area a single piece takes up from its width and height; since those measurements are usually given in centimeters, they are converted to meters before multiplying. The waste for cuts is added to the total area: 10% is typical for a straight installation, and it should be raised when the layout is diagonal or when you use large-format pieces, because cuts generate more scrap. Finally the adjusted area is divided by the area of each tile, rounded up to whole pieces, and those pieces are grouped into boxes, rounding up again, because tiles are sold by the box and not by the single unit.
Formula
To calculate tiles by dimensions or by total area:
Area per tile (m²) = (Width ÷ 100) × (Height ÷ 100) [cm → m]
Adjusted area = Area × (1 + Waste ÷ 100)
Tiles = round up( Adjusted area ÷ Area per tile )
Boxes = round up( Tiles ÷ Tiles per box )
In the American system, the tile measurements are entered in inches and converted to feet (÷ 12) before multiplying, so the area of each piece comes out in square feet (ft²) and matches the floor or wall area expressed in the same unit. The rest of the calculation is identical: only the units change.
Practical example
Suppose a floor 4 m long × 3 m wide, with 30 × 30 cm tiles, 10% waste, and boxes of 10 tiles each:
| Area to cover | 4 × 3 = 12 m² |
|---|---|
| Area of each tile | 0,30 × 0,30 = 0,09 m² |
| Area with 10% waste | 12 × 1,10 = 13,2 m² |
| Tiles needed | 13,2 ÷ 0,09 = 146,7 → 147 tiles |
| Boxes of 10 pieces | 147 ÷ 10 = 14,7 → 15 boxes |
This is exactly the result you'll see if you press "Calculate" with the default values. If you lowered the waste to 5%, the adjusted area would drop to 12.6 m² and you'd need 140 tiles, that is, 14 boxes; and if you used larger 60 × 60 cm pieces, each tile would cover 0.36 m² and far fewer units would be needed for the same surface.
How much waste to leave for cuts
Waste is the extra margin you buy to cover the pieces that get cut when reaching edges, corners, and obstacles. It's not wasted money: without that margin, a single cutting mistake can leave you short of pieces right at the end of the installation. These are the usual references:
- 10% for a straight installation. It's the standard margin when tiles are laid parallel to the walls, in a simply shaped room with few cuts.
- 15% for diagonal or herringbone. Layouts at 45 degrees or in a herringbone pattern force you to cut almost every perimeter piece, so they generate a good deal more scrap.
- More for large pieces or irregular spaces. Large formats waste more material on each cut, and rooms with niches, columns, or many corners require more cuts. In those cases it's worth raising the margin above 15%.
Format and laying pattern: how much waste to really add
The waste percentage isn't a fixed number: it depends on the laying pattern and the tile format. These are the typical allowances installers use:
| Straight lay (stacked or offset) | 8–10% waste |
|---|---|
| Diagonal lay (45°) | 12–15% — every edge produces triangular cuts |
| Herringbone | 15–20% — the most cut-demanding pattern |
| Large format (sides > 60 cm / 24 in) | 12–15% — every breakage costs a full piece |
Also account for cut-heavy spaces: small bathrooms, corners, niches, and walls with fixtures produce proportionally more cuts than an open room. If your space is irregular, use the high end of the table in the calculator's waste field.
Common mistakes when calculating tiles
- Not buying everything from the same batch. Tiles vary slightly in tone and size between manufacturing batches. Buy all boxes from the same batch so the color is uniform.
- Leaving too little waste. Buying the exact amount almost always leaves the job short. Keep the margin at 10% or raise it for complicated installations.
- Forgetting irregular areas. Niches, columns, steps, and edges add surface or generate extra cuts. Take them into account when measuring.
- Mixing up centimeters and inches. Don't mix measurements from different systems. Choose a single system in the selector; the calculator adjusts the units for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much waste should I leave when buying tiles?
As a general rule, leave 10% waste for a straight, simple installation. If you're going to lay the tiles diagonally or in a herringbone, raise the margin to 15%. In very irregular spaces, with many cuts or large-format pieces, it's worth setting aside even more.
Why should I buy from the same batch?
Tiles are made in lots or batches, and between one and another there can be small differences in tone and size. Buying all boxes from the same batch guarantees the color is uniform and prevents differences from showing once the floor or wall is installed.
How do I calculate tiles for a wall?
It's the same calculation as for a floor: measure the width and height of the wall to get its area, or enter the total area directly. Then specify the tile size and the waste percentage. If the wall has large doors or windows, you can subtract those areas before calculating.
How many tiles come in a box?
It depends on the piece format and the brand. Boxes of 30×30 cm tiles usually contain 9 to 12 pieces, while large formats come with fewer units per box. Check the box label and enter that number in the "Tiles per box" field to fine-tune the result.
Does it work for porcelain and ceramic?
Yes. The calculator works the same for ceramic tiles, porcelain, pavers, floor tiles, and stoneware. The calculation depends on the area to cover and the size of each piece, not the material, so you only need to enter the correct measurements of the tile you're going to install.
Should I round up to whole boxes?
Yes. Tiles are sold by the box, not by the single piece, so you should always round up to whole boxes. Having a spare box is normal and recommended: it serves as a reserve to replace broken or damaged pieces in the future without depending on finding the same batch.
Grout joints: the detail that changes piece count and finish
The gap between tiles isn't decorative: it absorbs the floor's thermal expansion and the small dimensional variations between pieces. Laying tiles butted together (no joint) is the classic cause of tiles popping up years later. References: rectified tiles allow 1.5–3 mm joints; non-rectified, 3–5 mm; outdoors and floors in direct sun, 5 mm or more.
The joint also slightly changes the count: with wide joints and small tiles, each square meter takes a few fewer pieces. And it defines grout consumption: the wider and deeper the joint, the more kilos per square meter — the exact figure is on the bag for your tile format. Choose sanded grout for joints of 3 mm and up, unsanded for fine joints.