ProjectCalc (working name)

Tile Calculator

Tiles, boxes, thinset and grout for a floor or wall — with the right waste factor for your layout pattern, and a printable shopping list.

Feet — fractions welcome
Feet

ItemAmount
Tiles to buy (incl. waste)
Boxes
Tile coverage to buy
Thinset, 50-lb bags
Grout, 25-lb bags (rough)
Backer board, 3′ × 5′ sheets

Buy from one dye lot — check the lot number on every box. Keep one spare box for future repairs; tile lines get discontinued.

🛒 Shopping list

ItemQty
Tile
Polymer-modified thinset, 50-lb
Grout (sanded for joints ≥ 1/8″)
Cement backer board 3′ × 5′ + screws/tape
Spacers or leveling clips (match joint width)1 pack
Grout sealer (after cure)1 bottle

✅ Project checklist

  • Check the floor is flat (within 1/4″ over 10 ft) and rigid — fix before tiling
  • Dry-lay a row both ways; snap center chalk lines; avoid sliver cuts at edges
  • Mix thinset in small batches; use the trowel size on the tile box
  • Back-butter tiles 12″ and larger; check coverage by lifting one tile early on
  • Let thinset cure 24h before grouting; sponge clean in passes
  • Seal grout after full cure (typically 48–72h); caulk corners and edges, don't grout them

How the math works

Tiles = room area ÷ tile area, plus the layout waste factor — cuts and breakage are real: 10% for straight grids, 15% diagonal, 20% for herringbone and complex patterns. Thinset is estimated at ~50 sq ft per 50-lb bag with a 1/4″ notch trowel; grout at ~90 sq ft per 25-lb bag for mid-size tile — both swing with tile size and joint width, so treat them as planning figures, not promises.

For estimation only. Follow the tile and thinset manufacturers' coverage charts for final quantities.