Estimate tiles, grout, mortar, and costs for your tiling project
Example: A 100 sq ft room with 18×18 inch tiles (2.25 sq ft per tile) needs approximately 45 tiles at 100% coverage, plus 10% waste = 50 tiles.
Grout Weight: Varies by joint width and tile size. Larger joints and smaller tiles require more grout.
| Pattern | Waste Factor | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Straight | +10% | Simple layouts, rectangular spaces |
| Diagonal | +15% | Contemporary looks, visual interest |
| Herringbone | +20% | Classic elegance, high-traffic areas |
| Brick/Offset | +10% | Traditional look, structural appeal |
| Tile Type | Cost per Sq Ft | Durability | Water Resistance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $1 - $5 | Good | Very Good | Bathrooms, kitchens, moderate traffic |
| Porcelain | $3 - $8 | Excellent | Excellent | High-traffic areas, wet rooms |
| Natural Stone | $4 - $15 | Good | Variable | Luxury spaces, needs sealing |
| Glass Mosaic | $5 - $20 | Good | Excellent | Accent walls, artistic features |
| Marble | $6 - $25 | Fair | Good | Feature areas, needs maintenance |
| Travertine | $5 - $15 | Good | Good | Mediterranean style, outdoor/indoor |
The most common and economical layout. Tiles are arranged in horizontal and vertical rows, like a grid. Perfect for beginners and cost-conscious projects. Minimizes waste with only 10% recommended buffer.
Tiles are rotated 45 degrees, creating a dynamic appearance. Requires approximately 15% more material due to corner cutting, but creates visual movement and makes spaces appear larger.
Rectangular tiles arranged in a V-shaped weaving pattern. Creates classic, elegant appearance and naturally hides imperfections. Requires about 20% additional material and is more complex to install.
Each row is offset by half a tile, like bricks. Provides traditional, structured look with good visual weight distribution. Requires approximately 10% additional material.
Joint width significantly affects material consumption and aesthetic appeal:
Our calculator estimates professional labor costs at $8-$15 per square foot, depending on pattern complexity and location. Professional installers provide:
Our calculator automatically includes waste factors based on your pattern choice (10-20%). We recommend purchasing 10-15% extra tiles for breakage, future repairs, and design adjustments. Some tiles are discontinued, so extra stock is valuable insurance.
Thin-set mortar is adhesive used to bond tiles to the substrate. Grout fills the joints between tiles. Both are essential: mortar holds tiles in place, grout seals and beautifies the installation.
Properly installed and maintained tiles last 10-30+ years depending on type and usage. Ceramic: 10-20 years, Porcelain: 20-30+ years, Natural stone: 20-40+ years with proper sealing.
Use our multi-area feature to break your space into rectangles. Add separate areas for each section and our calculator will total the materials needed. For complex shapes, sketch your room and measure each rectangular section.
Ceramic and porcelain generally don't need sealing. Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate, granite) must be sealed before grouting and periodically afterward. Grout should also be sealed after curing (wait 72 hours).
Grout color dramatically affects appearance. Light grout emphasizes individual tiles, dark grout creates bold patterns. Use grout slightly lighter than tile color for sophisticated look, or match for monolithic appearance.
Large tiles (24"×24" and bigger) are heavier and require careful substrate preparation and proper trowel technique. Consider professional installation for best results and warranty protection.