Tile Calculator
How much tile, grout, and thin-set a floor needs — square feet and boxes.
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Tile is permanent, waterproof, and beautiful — and unforgiving of a bad substrate. Get the surface flat and rigid (cement backer board, waterproofing in wet areas), dry-lay your layout, and the setting and grouting go smoothly.
DifficultyIntermediate
TimeA weekend for a floor or backsplash, plus cure time before grouting
SkillsComfortable with a wet saw and working methodically; wet areas demand more care
Tools you'll need
- Notched trowel (size to the tile)
- Wet saw or snap cutter
- Tile spacers and a level
- Grout float and large sponge
- Cement backer board and screws
- Bucket and mixing paddle
Step by step
- Prep a flat, rigid substrate Install cement backer board over subfloor (and a waterproof membrane in showers/wet areas). Tile cracks over flex or moisture.
- Dry-lay and find your center Snap centerlines and dry-lay tiles to balance cut tiles at the edges and avoid slivers.
- Set tile in thin-set Comb thin-set with the right-size notched trowel, press each tile with a slight twist, and use spacers for even joints. Check level as you go.
- Let it cure Leave tiles untouched ~24 hours before grouting so the thin-set sets and tiles don't shift.
- Grout and seal Float grout into the joints diagonally, wipe haze with a damp sponge, and seal the grout (and natural stone) once cured.
Common mistakes
Tiling over drywall or bare subfloor in wet areas
Use cement backer board and a waterproof membrane in showers and on floors — moisture and flex crack tile.
Wrong trowel size
Too small leaves voids and hollow, cracking tiles. Match the notch size to the tile per the bag.
Grouting before the thin-set cures
Wait ~24 hours or tiles shift and grout fails.
Not sealing the grout
Unsealed cement grout stains and absorbs water. Seal it after curing and reseal periodically.
Safety
- Cut tile wet to control silica dust, and wear eye protection.
- Thin-set and grout are caustic — wear gloves.
Frequently asked questions
How much tile, thin-set, and grout do I need?
Enter the room size above — the calculator adds 10% waste and returns tile square footage, boxes, thin-set bags, and grout.
How much waste should I add for tile?
Around 10% for straight layouts; add more (15%+) for diagonal or herringbone patterns and lots of cuts.
Do I need backer board?
Yes for floors and wet walls — tile needs a rigid, moisture-stable substrate or it cracks.