Frequently asked questions
How many tiles do I need per square foot?
Divide the area by the coverage of one tile including the grout joint, then add waste: 10% for straight layouts, 15% for diagonal, and up to 20% for herringbone or rooms with many cuts. The calculator applies the joint and pattern automatically.
How much thinset do I need?
A 50 lb bag covers roughly 85–95 sq ft with a 1/4 in notch trowel and about half that with a 1/2 in trowel for large-format tile. Back-buttering large tiles nearly doubles consumption.
What size trowel should I use for tile?
1/4 in square-notch for mosaics and wall tile, 1/4×3/8 in for tile up to 16 in, and 1/2 in for large-format tile from 24 in — combined with back-buttering for full coverage.
How much grout do I need?
Grout depends on tile size, thickness and joint width: bigger tiles and thinner joints mean less grout. A 25 lb bag typically does 100–200 sq ft of 12×12 tile with 1/8 in joints. The calculator derives it geometrically from your inputs.
About this calculation
This calculator uses the dimensions, waste allowance and material sizes entered above. MaterialCalc is developed by Igors Beļavskis, a construction contractor in Latvia. Results are planning estimates; confirm product coverage, local rules and site conditions before ordering.
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