Tile & Grout Calculator (Backsplashes, Floors & Showers)
Calculate ceramic, porcelain, and subway tile quantities, thinset mortar bags, and grout powder requirements.
Tile & Grout Estimator
Universal calculator for tile units, box cartons, pattern waste, and grout powder bags.
Covers 132 sq ft w/ +10% waste
Based on 12.5 sq ft per carton
~3 of 10lb carton or 1 of 25lb bag
Protects glossy glaze from scratching
Disclaimer: Calculations provided are estimates for preliminary material planning only. Actual yields vary based on subgrade compaction, site grading, waste, and local trade practices. QuickRenoTools assumes no liability for material shortages, structural failures, code non-compliance, vehicle overloads, or jobsite injuries. Verify all structural spans, retaining wall heights, and concrete mix designs with a licensed engineer, certified contractor, or local building authority prior to purchase and construction. Legal Disclaimer→
Tile & Grout Project Materials Cheat Sheet
Quick reference table for backsplashes, shower surrounds, and bathroom floors with 10% cutting waste included.
| Project Area | Tile Units (+10% Waste) | Carton Boxes (12.5 sq ft / 1.2m²) | Thinset Mortar (50lb / 20kg Bags) | Grout Powder Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Backsplash (30 sq ft / 2.8m²) | 264 subway (274 @ 75×150) | 3 boxes (3 @ 1.2m²) | 1 bag (50lb / 20kg) | 1 box (10 lb / 5kg) |
| Small Bathroom Floor (40 sq ft / 3.7m²) | 44 tiles (46 @ 300×300) | 4 boxes (4 @ 1.2m²) | 1 bag (50lb / 20kg) | 1 box (10 lb / 5kg) |
| Shower Walls (80 sq ft / 7.4m²) | 704 subway (730 @ 75×150) | 7 boxes (7 @ 1.2m²) | 2 bags (50lb / 20kg) | 1 bag (25 lb) / 2 boxes (10 lb) |
| Master Bath Floor (120 sq ft / 11.1m²) | 66 tiles (68 @ 300×600) | 11 boxes (10 @ 1.2m²) | 2 bags (50lb / 20kg) | 1 box (10 lb / 5kg) |
| Kitchen & Dining (250 sq ft / 23.2m²) | 138 tiles (142 @ 300×600) | 22 boxes (21 @ 1.2m²) | 4 bags (50lb / 20kg) | 2 bags (25 lb / 20kg) |
Disclaimer: Calculations provided are estimates for preliminary material planning only. Actual yields vary based on subgrade compaction, site grading, waste, and local trade practices. QuickRenoTools assumes no liability for material shortages, structural failures, code non-compliance, vehicle overloads, or jobsite injuries. Verify all structural spans, retaining wall heights, and concrete mix designs with a licensed engineer, certified contractor, or local building authority prior to purchase and construction.
Related Tools for This Project
Building this project? Don't forget your sub-base gravel, reinforcement steel, or finishing supplies:
Step 1: Substrate Prep — Installing cement backerboard (HardieBacker) or painting adjacent drywall before tiling.
Step 2: Room Transitions — Transitioning between tiled wet rooms and adjoining luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or hardwood?
Step 3: Mud Bed Mortar — Prepping pre-bagged dry-pack mortar beds for custom tiled shower pans.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tile & Grout Calculator (Backsplashes, Floors & Showers)
Common questions about bag calculations, ordering bulk vs bags, and trade standards.
How much tile cutting waste should I factor in?
Add 10% waste for standard straight grid or 1/3-offset subway tile layouts. Increase to 15% to 20% for herringbone, diagonal (diamond), chevron patterns, or rooms with numerous niches and pipes.
How many square feet of tile are in a standard box?
Most manufacturer tile cartons contain 10 to 15 square feet of tile, depending on tile thickness and size. Check the packaging label, and always order by total required square footage plus waste.
Sanded vs unsanded grout: which should I use?
Use unsanded grout for joint widths 1/8 inch (3 mm) or narrower, and on scratch-sensitive tiles like polished marble. Use sanded grout (or modern polymer-modified grout) for joints 1/8" to 1/2" wide to prevent joint shrinkage and cracking.
How much grout powder do I need for a tiling project?
A standard 25 lb bag of sanded grout covers approximately 100 to 200 square feet with 12×12 or 12×24 tiles and 1/8" joints. Smaller mosaic or subway tiles have vastly more joint lines and require double the grout volume.
How wide should tile grout lines be?
Subway tiles typically use 1/16" or 1/8" joints for a clean classic look. Floor tiles typically use 1/8" to 3/16". Rectified porcelain tiles (with laser-cut 90-degree factory edges) can be spaced at a razor-thin 1/16" joint.
Do I need to seal tile grout after installation?
Yes. Standard cement-based grout is porous and will absorb water, mildew, and stains. Apply a penetrating fluoropolymer grout sealer 72 hours after grouting. Premixed epoxy or urethane grouts are non-porous and do not require sealing.
Can you tile directly over existing tile?
Yes, provided the existing tile floor is structurally sound, crack-free, completely level, and degreased. Scuff the surface with 80-grit sandpaper and apply a specialized bonding primer (such as Eco Prim Grip) before setting new mortar.
What size notched trowel should I use for tiling?
Use a 1/4" × 1/4" square notch trowel for standard 3×6 subway or 8×8 tiles. For large format tiles (any tile with one side longer than 15 inches, such as 12×24), use a 1/2" × 1/2" square notch or 1/2" euro notch trowel and back-butter each tile.
How many subway tiles (3x6 inch) are in one square foot?
Each 3" × 6" subway tile is 18 square inches. Dividing 144 by 18 gives exactly 8 tiles per square foot. With standard 10% waste, order 8.8 tiles per square foot.
What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?
Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures from denser kaolin clay, absorbing less than 0.5% water (impervious), making it frost-proof and ideal for wet bathrooms, heavy traffic floors, and outdoor patios. Ceramic tile is softer, easier to cut, and best for dry wall backsplashes.