Tile Calculator

Divide 144 (square inches per square foot) by the tile area in square inches to get tiles per square foot, then multiply by your total square footage and add a waste factor. A 12x12 tile covers exactly 1 square foot, so 100 sq ft needs 110 tiles at 10% waste. A 4x4 tile (16 sq in) requires 9 tiles per square foot, so 100 sq ft needs about 990 tiles with 10% waste.

Use 10% for straight grid layouts where cuts are simple and tile is square. Diagonal layouts (45 degrees) require 15% because corner cuts waste more material. Complex patterns such as herringbone, basketweave, or Versailles require 20% or more. Always order from the same dye lot and keep leftover boxes after the job, as discontinued tile is nearly impossible to match for repairs years later.

Measure the total width times the height of your backsplash area in inches, then convert to square feet by dividing by 144. Subtract area for outlets and switches (roughly 0.5 sq ft each) if there are several. Add 15% waste for the typical subway or mosaic patterns used on backsplashes. Order full boxes since partial boxes often cannot be returned, and the extra pieces cover future repairs.

Larger format tiles (18x18 and above) with thin grout lines create fewer visual breaks across the floor, which makes a room feel more open and expansive. Rectified large-format porcelain allows grout joints as narrow as 1/16 inch, minimizing the grid effect. Light-colored tiles with matching grout extend the illusion further. Diagonal installation of any tile size also reads as larger than a straight grid in the same room.