Tile Calculator
Tile count, thinset, and grout for floors or walls. Sized to the bags and buckets you actually buy.
Thinset coverage by trowel size
| Notch | Typical use | Per 50 lb bag |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 x 1/4 square | Tile under 8 in, mosaics | about 95 sq ft |
| 1/4 x 3/8 square | 8 to 16 in tile | about 65 sq ft |
| 1/2 x 1/2 square | 16 in and up | about 45 sq ft |
| 3/4 x 3/4 or LFT | Large format, uneven substrate | about 40 sq ft |
Back buttering large format tile can cut coverage by another 25 percent. Buy the extra bag.
Tile estimating FAQ
How many tiles do I need per square foot?
Divide 144 by the tile area in square inches. A 12 x 24 tile is 288 square inches, so it covers 2 square feet and you need 0.5 tiles per square foot before waste.
How much thinset per 50 lb bag?
About 95 square feet with a 1/4 x 1/4 notch, 65 with 1/4 x 3/8, 45 with 1/2 x 1/2, and 40 for large format trowels. Back buttering reduces all of those.
How much grout do I need?
It depends on tile size and joint width. Smaller tile and wider joints use far more. A 10 lb box typically does 80 to 100 square feet of 12 x 24 tile with 1/8 inch joints.
How much waste should I add for tile?
Ten percent for a straight lay, 15 percent for diagonal or offset patterns, and 20 percent for herringbone. Always buy a few spare tiles from the same lot for future repairs.
Do I need to add for backer board?
Yes if you are tiling over wood subfloor or a wet wall. Figure the same square footage plus screws and seam tape, and thinset under the board as well as over it.
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