How we calculate
Tiles needed = area (with waste) ÷ one tile's area. Waste covers cuts, breakage and pattern matching: 10% for straight grid layouts, 15% for diagonal or herringbone, 20% for complex patterns or rooms with many corners. Thinset is estimated at one 50-lb bag per ~50 sq ft with a standard notch trowel — large-format tile uses more.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra tile should I buy?
At least the waste percentage above, and keep a spare box from the same dye lot afterward — matching a discontinued tile years later is near impossible.
Why does diagonal tile cost more?
More cuts, more waste (15% instead of 10%) and slower setting. Both the material and the labor line rise.
Does the calculator include grout?
Grout is a small cost (roughly one bag per 100+ sq ft for standard joints) and varies with joint width and tile size, so we fold it into the materials estimate rather than pretending precision.