Tile Calculator
Tile installation takeoff — boxes, thinset, grout, and labor by pattern (straight, diagonal, herringbone, large-format, mosaic).
Standard residential layout. 10% waste covers minor cuts.
Typical: 6–10 for 12×24, 12+ for smaller
Default for this pattern: 10%. Leave 0 to use default.
18 for straight-set 12 in; 10 for herringbone
Result
- Tiles needed (with waste)
- 56 tiles · 10% waste
- Boxes to order
- 7
- Thinset bags (50 lb)
- 2
- Grout bags (25 lb)
- 1
- Tile cost
- $336
- Thinset cost
- $36
- Grout cost
- $22
- Material total
- $394
- Labor
- 5.6 hr · $361
- Total (material + labor)
- $755
This estimate is based on national average costs and may vary by region, project specifics, and market conditions. Use as a starting point for your bids.
How to estimate a tile installation
Tile takeoffs come apart into four piles: tile (boxes), thinset (bags), grout (bags), and labor (hours). Each is straightforward in isolation; the gotchas live in the waste percentage and the pattern. This calculator handles all four and gives you a material + labor total.
Waste percentages by pattern
| Pattern | Minimum waste | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight grid | 10% | Perimeter cuts only. |
| Diagonal / 45° | 15% | Two cuts per perimeter tile. |
| Herringbone | 20% | Every tile is cut — both ends. |
| Large-format (≥18 in) | 15% | Cuts are unrecoverable; no scrap reuse. |
| Mosaic sheets | 10% | Sheet form covers fast; minimal cuts. |
Add 5 more points for irregular rooms (lots of corners, transitions, small zones). Add another 5 for inexperienced installers — they cut more wrong tiles.
Thinset and grout — the easy line items to underestimate
A 50 lb bag of thinset covers about 65 sq ft at a 1/4 in notch on a flat floor. Drop to 45 sq ft on tile 12 in or larger (needs a deeper trowel). The half-bag savings on small jobs evaporates when you have to run for another bag mid-pour and the open thinset starts setting.
Grout depends on joint width and tile size. The chart on the back of the bag is your friend — bring it to the supply house. For typical residential at 1/8 in joints with 12 in tile, plan on a 25 lb bag per ~80 sq ft. Tighter joints stretch a bag further; wider joints burn through it.
Labor production rates
Experienced tilers run 18–25 sq ft per hour on straight-set 12 in tile. Drop to 12–15 sq ft per hour for diagonal or large-format. Herringbone is 8–10 sq ft per hour. The calculator above defaults to 18 sq ft per hour — adjust for your crew and the pattern.
Backsplash work is slower than floors per square foot because the cuts are tighter, the tile is smaller, and the installer is working overhead. Budget 20–30% extra time for backsplash compared to the same area on the floor.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra tile should I order for a typical job?
10% for a straight-set layout, 15% for diagonal or large-format (≥18 in), 20% for herringbone or chevron patterns. Add 5 more points for cut-up bathrooms with lots of small areas. Always order full boxes — manufacturers rarely sell partial boxes and dye-lot matching gets harder over time.
How much thinset do I need?
A 50 lb bag covers about 50–80 sq ft at a 1/4 in notched trowel — call it 65 sq ft per bag as a midpoint. Larger tiles need a deeper trowel (1/2 in for tiles 12 in and up), which drops coverage to 40–50 sq ft per bag. Always buy at least one extra bag — running out mid-job costs more than the bag.
How much grout for a tile job?
Coverage depends on tile size and joint width. Tight rule of thumb for a 25 lb bag: 80 sq ft for 12 in tile at 1/8 in joints, 50 sq ft for 6 in tile at 1/4 in joints, 30 sq ft for mosaic. The grout-coverage chart on the back of the bag is more accurate — bring it to your supply house when ordering.
What's the right joint width for my tile?
Manufacturer's spec wins. Rectified tiles can go as tight as 1/16 in. Pressed (non-rectified) tiles typically need 1/8–3/16 in to absorb dimensional variation. Outdoor tiles or large-format usually run 1/4 in to handle thermal movement. Match the joint to the tile, not the other way around.
How fast can a tiler install per hour?
Straight-set 12 in tile: 18–25 sq ft per hour for an experienced installer. Drop to 12–15 sq ft for diagonal or large-format, 8–10 sq ft for herringbone. Mosaic sheets can run higher (25+ sq ft) because the pre-mounted sheets cover ground fast. Always budget extra for backsplash and trim work — they're slower per sq ft than open floors.
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