How much tile do I need for a shower?

Calculate each wall separately by multiplying height by width. A standard 3x4 foot shower with 8-foot ceiling walls needs approximately 92 square feet of wall tile, plus floor area. Add 15% waste factor for cuts around fixtures and corners.

What size tile is best for small bathrooms?

Medium-sized tiles (12x12 or 12x24 inches) work best in small bathrooms - they have fewer grout lines, making the space appear larger. Avoid very large tiles that require many cuts, or very small tiles that create visual clutter.

How much thinset mortar do I need?

Coverage depends on trowel notch size. With a 1/4-inch notch trowel, a 50-pound bag covers about 100 square feet. With a 1/2-inch notch (for large tiles), coverage drops to 40-50 square feet. Always check manufacturer specifications.

How much grout do I need for tile?

Grout coverage varies by tile size and joint width. Generally, 25 pounds of sanded grout covers about 100 square feet of 12x12 tiles with 1/8-inch joints. Larger tiles or wider joints require more grout. Unsanded grout is used for joints under 1/8 inch.

Should I use large or small tiles for floor?

Large tiles (18x18 or larger) are trending and require less grout maintenance. They work well on level floors but are harder to install on uneven surfaces. Small tiles conform better to slopes (like shower floors) and are easier for DIY installation.

← All calculators

Tile & Flooring

Plan tile for bathrooms, kitchens, floors with waste factor

0 calculations

Last verified: February 2026Accuracy tested

Calculated in your browser — we never store your dataIncludes standard waste factors

Area Length (ft)

Area Width (ft)

Tile Size (inches)

Waste Factor (%)

Price per Sq Ft ($)

● National avg · updated Feb 20

Calculation Result

132 tiles needed

132 sq ft (with 10% waste)

~14 boxes (assuming 10 tiles/box)

Estimated cost: $660

Sources & Methodology

Formula: Tiles = Area / Tile Size + 10% waste

Area coverage with waste factor

Source: Tile Council of North America guidelines

View full methodology & accuracy testing

Think this result is wrong? Report an error

calc.alsoTry:Square Footage Paint Drywall Gravel

Estimate Your Project Cost

See tile installation costs with labor and materials →

Tile Installation Cost Guide on CostOnce.com

How to Use the Tile & Flooring Calculator

Calculate exactly how many tiles you need for your flooring or wall project. Our calculator accounts for waste factor to ensure you have enough tiles to complete your project without running short. Not sure about your room dimensions? Use our square footage calculator to measure accurately.

Why Include Waste Factor?

A 10% waste factor is standard for most tile projects. This accounts for cuts at edges, broken tiles, future repairs, and pattern matching. Increase to 15% for diagonal patterns or complex layouts.

Tile Size Considerations

Larger tiles generally mean less grout and faster installation, but may require more cuts. Smaller tiles are better for floors with drains or complex shapes. Our calculator supports common sizes from 6" to 24" tiles.

Pro Tips

Always order all tiles from the same lot for color consistency
Keep extra tiles for future repairs
Consider tile orientation and pattern before calculating
Don't forget to calculate thinset, grout, and spacers separately

Related Renovation Calculators

Complete your bathroom or kitchen project with our paint calculator for walls, drywall calculator for wall prep, and gravel calculator if you're creating a drain bed. Use our discount calculator to find the best deals on materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Divide your room square footage by the tile size in square feet, then add 10% for waste. For a 100 sq ft room using 12x12 inch tiles (1 sq ft each), you need 100 tiles plus 10 extra = 110 tiles. Increase waste factor to 15% for diagonal patterns.