Tile Calculator

Our free tiles calculator takes the guesswork out of your project planning. Simply enter your room dimensions, select your tile size, and get instant results showing exactly how many tiles you need—including the smart 10% allowance for breakage and cutting waste. No more running back to the store mid-project or overspending on excess materials.

“How many tiles do I need to tile my room?” This is one of the most common questions homeowners, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts ask when planning a tiling project. Whether you’re renovating your bathroom, upgrading your kitchen floor, or installing tiles in your living room, getting the right quantity is crucial to avoid costly mistakes.

Why You Need a Tile Calculator

Planning a tiling project without proper calculation is like building a house without a blueprint. Here’s why accurate tile estimation matters:

Budget Control – Tiles are a significant investment. Knowing exactly how many you need prevents overspending on unnecessary extras while ensuring you don’t run short and face project delays.

Waste Prevention – Tiles often break when cutting them, which is why professional installers always factor in extra material. Our calculator automatically includes a 10% buffer for broken tiles, cuts, and adjustments.

Project Efficiency – Nothing halts progress faster than discovering you’re short on tiles halfway through installation. Calculate once, buy right, and complete your project without interruptions.

Professional Planning – Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or hiring a contractor, having accurate tile estimates helps you get reliable quotes and avoid disputes over material costs.

Understanding Tile Calculations: The Math Made Simple

At its core, determining how many tiles you need is a matter of finding out the area of your space and dividing it by the size of the tile. But there’s more to it than basic division.

Here’s what our calculator does for you:

1. Calculates Room Area – Multiplies your length and breadth measurements to determine total square centimeters
2. Calculates Tile Coverage – Determines how much area each individual tile covers based on its dimensions
3. Divides and Rounds Up – Figures out how many tiles fit in your space, always rounding up because you can’t buy partial tiles
4. Adds Breakage Allowance – Automatically includes 10% extra for cuts, breaks, and mistakes
5. Determines Pack Quantity – Calculates how many full packs you need to purchase
6. Provides Cost Estimate – Multiplies packs by cost to give you a complete budget figure

How to Use Our Tiles Calculator

Getting accurate tile estimates is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Measure Your Room

Grab a measuring tape and measure the length and breadth of your floor or wall in centimeters. For rectangular rooms, this is straightforward. For irregular spaces, break the area into rectangular sections and calculate each separately.

Pro Tip: Measure at multiple points. Walls aren’t always perfectly straight, so use the largest measurement to ensure you have enough tiles.

Step 2: Select Your Tile Size

Our calculator includes the most popular tile sizes used in Nigerian homes and commercial spaces:

• 60 × 120 cm – Large format tiles perfect for spacious living areas and creating a modern, seamless look
• 120 × 120 cm – Extra-large tiles ideal for reducing grout lines in big spaces
• 60 × 60 cm – Versatile square tiles suitable for both floors and walls
• 60 × 90 cm – Rectangular tiles that create interesting patterns
• 45 × 90 cm – Mid-size option for contemporary designs
• 40 × 40 cm – Classic square tiles popular for bathrooms
• 30 × 60 cm – Popular choice for kitchen backsplashes and feature walls
• 30 × 30 cm – Standard size perfect for bathrooms and small spaces
• 25 × 50 cm – Traditional subway-style dimensions
• 25 × 40 cm – Compact tiles great for accent areas

Choose the tile size that matches what you’re planning to purchase. If you haven’t decided yet, try calculating with different sizes to see how the quantities compare.

Step 3: Enter Pack Information

Tiles are sold in packs, and each pack contains a specific number of tiles. This information is usually printed on the packaging or available from your supplier. Enter:

• Number of tiles per pack – Typically ranges from 4 to 20 pieces depending on tile size
• Cost per pack in Naira – Get this from your supplier’s quote or store pricing

Step 4: Calculate and Review Results

Click the calculate button and instantly see:

• Total area in both square centimeters and square meters for easy reference
• Number of tiles required including the 10% breakage allowance
• Total packs needed rounded up to ensure you have complete packs
• Total cost in Naira for complete budget planning

Why the 10% Breakage Allowance Matters

Professional tilers know that tiles often break during installation, and intricate patterns may result in many unusable pieces. Here’s why we automatically add 10% extra:

Cutting Mistakes – Not every cut will be perfect, especially if you’re doing it yourself. Tiles can crack or chip when being cut to fit around corners, pipes, or fixtures.

Breakage During Installation – Tiles are fragile. They can break during transportation, handling, or installation. The larger the tile, the more careful you need to be.

Pattern Matching – If you’re creating a specific pattern or design, you may need extra tiles to ensure the pattern works out perfectly across the entire space.

Future Repairs – Having a few extra tiles from the same batch is invaluable. If a tile cracks years later, you’ll have exact matches for repairs. Tile colors and finishes can vary between production batches.

Popular Tile Sizes in Nigeria: Which Should You Choose?

Different spaces call for different tile sizes. Here’s a guide to help you decide:

Large Format Tiles (60×120 cm, 120×120 cm)

Best For: Living rooms, open-plan spaces, commercial areas, modern homes

Advantages: Fewer grout lines create a cleaner look, make small spaces appear larger, faster installation

Considerations: Require perfectly level floors, harder to cut, may need professional installation

Medium Tiles (30×60 cm, 40×40 cm, 60×60 cm)

Best For: Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, versatile for most residential spaces

Advantages: Easier to handle, good balance of style and practicality, work in various settings

Considerations: Standard choice for most Nigerian homes, widely available

Small Format Tiles (25×40 cm, 30×30 cm)

Best For: Bathroom floors, shower walls, small spaces, creating intricate patterns

Advantages: Better grip for wet areas, easier to create slopes for drainage, great for detailed designs

Considerations: More grout lines to clean, longer installation time

Understanding Tile Packaging and Pricing

When budgeting for tiles, understanding how they’re sold is crucial:

Pack Quantities Vary – A pack of large 60×120 cm tiles might contain only 4 pieces, while a pack of 30×30 cm tiles could have 16 or more pieces.

Price Per Pack vs. Price Per Square Meter – Always compare prices based on coverage area, not just pack price. A cheaper pack that covers less area might actually cost more for your project.

Buying Extra Packs – Our calculator rounds up to complete packs because suppliers don’t sell partial packs. It’s better to have a few extra tiles than to run short.

Batch Numbers Matter – If you need to buy additional tiles later, color variations between production batches can be noticeable. Always buy enough from one batch.

Common Tiling Projects and Tile Requirements

Standard Nigerian Bedroom (3m × 3.5m)

Using 60×60 cm tiles: Approximately 162 tiles (15 packs of 11)

Using 40×40 cm tiles: Approximately 367 tiles (varies by pack size)

Average Bathroom (2m × 2.5m)

Using 30×30 cm tiles: Approximately 61 tiles

Using 40×40 cm tiles: Approximately 35 tiles

Kitchen Floor (4m × 5m)

Using 60×120 cm tiles: Approximately 31 tiles

Using 60×60 cm tiles: Approximately 61 tiles

These are estimates. Always use the calculator with your exact measurements for accuracy.

Tips for Successful Tile Purchasing

1. Measure Twice, Order Once – Double-check your measurements before calculating to avoid errors that could cost you money.

2. Consider Your Layout – Diagonal patterns or intricate designs may require more tiles. If you’re planning anything other than a standard grid layout, consider adding an extra 5% on top of the 10% allowance.

3. Check for Obstructions – If you have built-in furniture, kitchen islands, or permanent fixtures, subtract those areas from your calculation.

4. Buy from One Batch – Purchase all tiles at once to ensure color consistency. Note the batch number on your invoice.

5. Keep Spares – Store a few extra tiles safely for future repairs. Even with the 10% allowance, having spares for later can save significant hassle.

6. Inspect Before Installation – Check tiles for damage or defects before your installer begins work. Most suppliers accept returns of unused, undamaged tiles in original packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the tiles calculator?
Our calculator uses standard mathematical formulas and includes the industry-recommended 10% waste allowance for highly accurate estimates.

What if my room is not rectangular?
Break irregular spaces into rectangular sections, calculate each separately, then add the results together.

Can I use different tile sizes in one room?
Yes, but calculate each tile size separately. Feature walls or borders with different tiles require individual calculations.

Should I buy more than the calculator suggests?
The calculator already includes 10% extra. However, if you’re attempting complex patterns or this is your first DIY tiling project, consider adding another 5%.

What if tiles come in different pack sizes?
Use the pack size from your specific supplier. The calculator adjusts automatically based on the number you enter.

Do I need to account for grout lines?
For standard grout lines (2-5mm), the 10% waste allowance typically covers this. For unusually wide grout lines, you might calculate slightly fewer tiles per area.

What’s the best tile size for small bathrooms?
Contrary to popular belief, larger tiles (30×60 cm or 40×40 cm) can make small bathrooms appear bigger by reducing visual clutter from grout lines.