How Many Tiles Are in a Square Foot? Tile Quantity Chart by Size
A square foot is 144 square inches, so the number of tiles in a square foot is 144 divided by the area of one tile. This chart gives the answer for common sizes and shows how to turn it into a shopping list.
Tiles per square foot
| Tile size | Tiles per square foot |
|---|---|
| 2×2 in | 36 |
| 3×6 in | 8 |
| 4×4 in | 9 |
| 4×12 in | 3 |
| 6×6 in | 4 |
| 6×24 in | 1 |
| 12×12 in | 1 |
| 12×24 in | 0.5 |
| 18×18 in | 0.44 |
| 24×24 in | 0.25 |
Actual tile sizes can be slightly different from the name on the box, so check the box for the exact dimensions and the square feet it covers.
How to calculate how many tiles you need
- Measure the area in square feet.
- Multiply by the tiles per square foot.
- Add 10 percent for cuts and breakage, or about 15 percent for diagonal layouts and large tiles.
- Round up to a whole box.
Example: a 100 square foot floor
With 10 percent waste, you need to cover 110 square feet.
| Tile size | Tiles to buy |
|---|---|
| 12×12 in | 110 |
| 12×24 in | 55 |
| 6×6 in | 440 |
| 3×6 in | 880 |
Our tile calculator does this for any room and tile size, and adds your price per tile if you enter one.
Boxes, not single tiles
Tile is sold by the box, and each box lists the square feet it covers. Divide your total area, including waste, by the coverage of one box and round up. If you are not sure how to get the room's area, read our guide on how to calculate square footage.
Common mistakes
- Using the name of the tile instead of its true size
- Forgetting grout lines on very small tiles, which are a larger share of the surface
- Skipping the waste allowance
- Buying tile in several orders instead of all at once
Measure, multiply, add waste and round up to whole boxes. That gives a reliable count every time.
Enter your room size and tile size to find out how many tiles to buy, including extra for cuts and breakage.
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