Tile Calculator
Turn a room size into the number of tiles, boxes of tile, thinset and grout you need, with the right waste factor for a straight or diagonal layout.
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Estimated cost
$356 – $858
Typical figure around $607.
- Floor area
- 120 sq ft
- With waste
- 132 sq ft
- Tiles
- 132 tiles
- Boxes to buy
- 14 boxes
- Thinset
- 3 bags (50 lb)
Tile, thinset and grout. Professional setting typically adds $4–$10 per sq ft on top of the tile.
Planning estimate only — confirm quantities with your supplier or contractor before ordering.
How this estimate is calculated
The estimate is built from room length (ft), room width (ft), tile size, layout and tile material, then priced at national average rates. It reports floor area, with waste, tiles, boxes to buy and thinset, with quantities rounded up so you are never short of material and the standard waste allowance already included where it applies.
Tile, thinset and grout. Professional setting typically adds $4–$10 per sq ft on top of the tile.
The dollar range is a national average, so treat it as a starting point rather than a bid. Labor rates, permit fees and material delivery differ by region — the state table below shows how your state compares, and construction cost by state breaks the picture down further.
Prefer the longer version? Read our guide to How much does a bathroom remodel cost and How much does radiant floor heating cost and Renter-friendly renovations that leave no trace.
Cost by tile size
Each row prices the same default job shown in the calculator above, changing only the tile size. Use it to see what the upgrade or the cheaper option really costs before you commit.
| Tile size | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| 6 × 6 in | $356 | $858 |
| 12 × 12 in | $356 | $858 |
| 12 × 24 in | $356 | $858 |
| 18 × 18 in | $356 | $858 |
What the same job costs by state
Every row applies that state's construction cost index to the national range calculated above. The index bundles local labor rates, permit fees and material delivery, so it is a planning figure rather than a bid.
| State | Index | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 0.92 | $328 | $789 |
| Texas | 0.93 | $331 | $798 |
| North Carolina | 0.94 | $335 | $807 |
| Georgia | 0.95 | $339 | $815 |
| Arizona | 1.01 | $360 | $867 |
| Florida | 1.02 | $364 | $875 |
| Pennsylvania | 1.03 | $367 | $884 |
| Illinois | 1.05 | $374 | $901 |
| Colorado | 1.08 | $385 | $927 |
| Washington | 1.15 | $410 | $987 |
| California | 1.32 | $470 | $1,133 |
| New York | 1.42 | $506 | $1,218 |
Index 1.00 is the national average. See construction cost by state for metro-level figures and the projects homeowners ask about most.
Where to buy materials
Links to suppliers are sponsored: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects an estimate.
- Search The Home Depot“ceramic wall tile box”
- Search Lowe's“ceramic wall tile box”
Frequently asked questions
How much extra tile should I buy?
Add 10% for a straight layout and 15% for a diagonal or herringbone pattern. Buy it all in one order so the dye lots match, and keep a box aside for future repairs.
How many tiles come in a box?
It depends on the size: roughly ten 12 × 12 tiles (10 sq ft), eight 12 × 24 tiles (16 sq ft) or twenty 6 × 6 tiles per box. Each box states the coverage it gives.
How much does tile installation cost per square foot?
Setting tile adds $4 to $10 per square foot of labour on top of the tile. Ceramic costs $1.50 to $4 per square foot, porcelain $3 to $9 and natural stone $6 to $15, so installed prices span roughly $5.50 to $25 per square foot.
How much thinset do I need?
One 50 lb bag covers about 60 square feet with a 1/4-inch notch trowel, so a 120 sq ft floor with a 10% waste allowance works out at three bags. Large-format tile and a deeper notch use noticeably more per square foot.
Does this cost change from state to state?
Yes. Applying each state's construction cost index to the national range of $356 to $858, the same job runs from about $328 to $789 in Ohio (index 0.92) to $506 to $1,218 in New York (index 1.42).
What is not included in this estimate?
Tile, thinset and grout. Professional setting typically adds $4–$10 per sq ft on top of the tile. The figure is a national planning average for the work described above, not a contractor's quote.
