How many boxes of tile do I need for a 12 × 14 ft floor?
For the worked example (12 × 14 ft floor, 15.5 sq ft per box) the material list is Tile: 12 boxes (calculated 11.92 boxes, based on 10% waste, 15.5 sq ft per box). Quantities to buy are whole units rounded up from the calculated amounts. Enter your own measurements in the calculator above for your exact list.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the floor length and width, or switch to “I already know the area”.
- Pick a waste allowance. 10% is a common starting point; use more for diagonal layouts or many cuts.
- Enter the coverage per box from the tile you are considering to get a box count.
- Optionally add thinset and grout coverage from those products’ labels.
- Copy, print or share the material list.
How this is calculated
- Floor area = length × width
- Tile to buy = floor area × (1 + waste ÷ 100)
- Boxes = round up (tile to buy ÷ coverage per box)
- Thinset or grout bags = round up (floor area ÷ coverage per bag), only when you enter the coverage
Geometry is deterministic. Material coverage, density, installation waste and product yield can vary. We expose those assumptions so you can replace them with the values printed on the products you are actually buying. Treat every result as an estimate. Items on your list are labelled Calculated (straight from your measurements) or Estimated (depends on an assumption), and “Buy” quantities are whole units rounded up.
Sources
No third-party figure is built into this calculator. Quantities come from geometry and from the values you can see and edit under “Assumptions” below, each labelled by where it comes from.
Last reviewed: . See the methodology.
Assumptions
These starting values are used until you change them. They are typical, not universal. Check the label on the product you are buying.
| Assumption | Starting value | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Boxes | Whole boxes, rounded up | Mathematical – Tile to buy ÷ coverage per box, never rounded down |
| Waste allowance | 10% | Common planning default |
| Coverage per box (optional) | You enter it | You enter it (product / supplier) |
| Thinset coverage per bag (optional) | You enter it | You enter it (product / supplier) |
| Grout coverage per bag (optional) | You enter it | You enter it (product / supplier) |
Worked example
A 12 × 14 ft floor with 10% waste and tile that covers 15.5 sq ft per box:
- Tile: 12 boxes (184.8 sq ft required incl. 10% waste, 186 sq ft supplied) · 10% waste, 15.5 sq ft per box
Common questions
How much waste should I allow for tile?
10% is an editable planning allowance. Diagonal patterns, large-format tile and rooms with many cuts commonly need more. Actual waste varies by layout.
Why not fill in thinset and grout automatically?
Their coverage depends on the product, tile size, trowel and joint width, so one number would often be wrong. Enter the coverage from your product label to count bags.
Should I buy extra boxes for future repairs?
Many people keep a spare box from the same production lot. That is your call, so it is not added automatically.
Guides
- How Many Tiles Do I Need?Floor area and tile size turned into pieces and boxes.
- How Much Extra Tile to Buy for Waste and CutsTile-maker guidance on waste, diagonals and spares, with the box effect.
- How to Measure for Floor, Wall and Backsplash TileArea for floors, walls and backsplashes before you count boxes.
- How Much Flooring Do I Need?Room areas, allowance and box coverage turned into a flooring order.
- How to Measure a Room for a Material EstimateFloor, wall and ceiling area from a tape measure and a sketch.