Tiles needed = Room Area ÷ Tile Area × (1 + Waste %). For example, a 4×3m room (12 m²) with 60×60cm tiles (0.36 m² each) needs 34 tiles net — buy 38 with 10% waste. Always buy a few extra boxes in the same batch number for future repairs.
A 10×10 foot room (about 3×3 metres) is 100 square feet or roughly 9.3 m² of floor area. Using standard 300×300 mm tiles (0.09 m² each), you'd need about 103 tiles — or 114 with a 10% waste allowance. With larger 600×600 mm tiles you'd only need 26 tiles plus waste. The calculator above gives you the exact number based on your chosen tile size and layout.
Larger tiles (600×600 mm or bigger) make a room feel more spacious because there are fewer grout lines breaking up the floor. They work best on large, flat surfaces. Smaller tiles (300×300 mm or mosaic) are better for shower floors and curved areas where you need the tile to follow the contour. For walls, rectangular tiles like 300×600 mm are popular because they create a clean, modern look and can be laid horizontally or vertically.
As a rough guide, budget 2–3 kg of tile adhesive per square metre for wall tiles and 4–5 kg per square metre for floor tiles (this varies with tile size and adhesive type). For grout, a 5 kg bag typically covers 8–15 m² depending on tile size and joint width. Larger tiles with narrow joints need less grout; small mosaics with wide joints need more.
Straight lay (grid pattern) is the simplest and produces the least waste — about 5–10%. A brick bond (offset) pattern staggers tiles by half, adding visual interest with only slightly more waste. Diagonal layouts rotate tiles 45 degrees and look striking, but waste increases to 15–20% because every edge tile needs a diagonal cut. Herringbone is the most complex and produces the most waste (up to 20%), but creates a stunning visual effect.
Measure the total area in square metres (length x width). Divide by the area of one tile. Add 10-15% for cuts, waste, and breakage (increase to 15-20% for diagonal patterns or complex shapes). Always round up to the nearest box. This calculator handles all of this automatically.
Common bathroom floor tile sizes include 300x300mm, 450x450mm, and 600x600mm. Smaller tiles (mosaic or 300mm) create more grout lines and are better for curved surfaces. Larger tiles (600mm+) make a space look bigger but require a very flat, level floor. Wall tiles are often thinner and slightly smaller.
Order at least 10% extra for standard straight layouts. For diagonal layouts (45 degrees), order 15-20% extra due to the additional cuts. For complex patterns, curved walls, or irregular spaces, 20% is recommended. Always order a few spare tiles from the same batch in case of future repairs.
Measure the height and width of each wall surface to be tiled, multiply to get the area, sum all wall areas, subtract window and door openings, then add 10% for waste. This tile calculator handles both floor and wall area calculations.
Tile spacers create uniform grout joints and ensure tiles are evenly spaced. Standard spacer sizes are 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, and 5mm. Smaller grout lines (1.5-2mm) give a modern, seamless look. Larger grout lines (3-5mm) are more forgiving on uneven walls and floors, and are better for rough stone tiles.
A 10x10 foot room (about 9.3 square metres) needs approximately 103 tiles at 300x300mm, or 26 tiles at 600x600mm. Add 10% for waste and cuts. Use a tile calculator for the exact number based on your tile size, layout pattern, and room dimensions.
For small bathrooms, medium tiles (300x600mm or 450x450mm) often work best. They are large enough to reduce grout lines and make the space feel bigger, but small enough to fit without excessive cutting. Avoid very large tiles in tight spaces as they require more cuts and can look out of proportion.
Tiling costs vary widely by region and tile quality. Budget tiles cost $1-3 per square metre, mid-range $5-15, and premium natural stone $20-50+. Labour for professional installation typically adds $25-50 per square metre. Adhesive, grout, and preparation materials add another $5-10 per square metre. This calculator helps you work out material quantities so you can estimate costs.