Bathroom Tile Calculator
Bathroom Size
Select a preset or enter custom dimensions
Select floor tile size
Fixtures Reducing Floor Area
Tile all bathroom walls (minus door and window openings)
Tile inside the shower or tub surround area
Waste Factor & Grout
Finished edge tiles for exposed transitions (top of shower surround, wainscot edges, niches)
Common edges: shower surround top = width + 2 x depth (e.g., 5 + 3 + 3 = 11 ft)
How Bathroom Tile Calculation Works
Tiling a bathroom involves separate calculations for the floor, walls, and shower surround. Each surface may use a different tile size and style. Accurate measurement and proper waste allowances ensure you purchase enough tile without excessive overspending.
1. Floor Tile
Multiply bathroom length by width for gross area, then subtract the footprint of fixtures like the toilet (~2 sq ft), vanity (~4 sq ft), and tub (~9 sq ft). Divide net area by tile area and add waste.
2. Wall Tile
Calculate wall perimeter (2 x length + 2 x width) times the tile height. Deduct door and window openings. Full-height wall tiling is common in wet rooms; partial height (wainscot) saves on materials.
3. Shower Surround
A standard 3-wall surround has one back wall (width x height) and two side walls (depth x height). Tile to ceiling height or at least 6-7 feet. This area uses water-resistant tile and backer board.
4. Bullnose & Trim
Finished edges where tile meets drywall need bullnose or metal trim. Measure all exposed edges in linear feet. Common locations: top of shower surround, wainscot cap, niche edges, and outside corners.
5. Grout & Thinset
Grout fills joints between tiles. Smaller tiles need proportionally more grout per square foot. Thinset mortar adheres tile to the substrate; plan roughly 50 lbs per 50-75 sq ft depending on trowel size.
6. Waste Factor
Always add 10% for straight layouts and simple cuts. Increase to 15% for patterns like herringbone, diagonal, or rooms with many corners. Keep spare tiles for future repairs.
Popular Bathroom Tile Styles and Sizes
Choosing the right tile for each bathroom surface affects both aesthetics and practicality.
| Tile Style | Size | Best For | Tiles / Sq Ft | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subway Tile | 3 x 6 in | Shower walls, backsplash | 8 | $0.15 - $1.50 each |
| Large Subway | 4 x 12 in | Shower walls, accent walls | 3 | $0.75 - $3.00 each |
| Mosaic Sheet | 1 x 1 in (12x12 sheet) | Shower floors, niches | 144 (1 sheet) | $5 - $25 / sheet |
| Hexagon | 6 in hex | Bathroom floors | ~3.4 | $8 - $15 / sq ft |
| Standard Floor | 12 x 12 in | Bathroom floors | 1 | $1 - $5 each |
| Plank Tile | 12 x 24 in | Floors, feature walls | 0.5 | $2 - $8 each |
| Large Format | 24 x 24 in | Floors, modern walls | 0.25 | $4 - $15 each |
| Classic Wall | 6 x 6 in | Walls, wainscot | 4 | $0.50 - $3 each |
| Penny Round | 1 in diameter (sheet) | Shower floors, accents | ~1 sheet / sq ft | $8 - $20 / sheet |
| Bullnose Trim | 3 x 6 in / 6 x 6 in | Finished edges, transitions | Varies | $2 - $8 each |
Worked Examples
Small Bathroom (5x8) - Floor and Shower Surround
Scenario: 5x8 ft bathroom, 12x12 floor tile, 3x6 subway shower tile, 5 ft tub surround tiled to 7 ft height
Fixtures: toilet (2) + vanity (4) = 6 sq ft
Net floor = 34 sq ft, tiles = 34 + 10% waste = 38 tiles
Shower surround: back wall 5 x 7 = 35 sq ft
Two side walls: 2 x (2.5 x 7) = 35 sq ft
Total surround = 70 sq ft x 8 tiles/sq ft = 560 tiles
With 10% waste = 560 + 56 = 616 subway tiles
Bullnose: 5 + 2.5 + 2.5 = 10 ft x 2 per ft = 20 + 2 waste = 22 pieces
Master Bathroom (10x12) - Full Tile Job
Scenario: 10x12 ft bathroom, 12x24 floor tile, 4x12 wall tile to 8 ft, large walk-in shower (4x5 ft)
12x24 tiles: 105 x 0.5 tiles/sq ft = 53 + 10% = 59 floor tiles
Walls: perimeter = 2(10+12) = 44 ft x 8 ft = 352 sq ft
Minus door (2.5 x 6.67 = 17) + window (3 x 2 = 6) = 329 sq ft
4x12 tiles: 329 x 3 tiles/sq ft = 987 + 10% = 1,086 wall tiles
Shower: 5x8 + 2(4x8) = 40 + 64 = 104 sq ft
With 4x12 tile: 104 x 3 = 312 + 10% = 344 shower tiles
Bathroom Tiling Tips
- Waterproofing first: Always install a waterproof membrane (like RedGard or Kerdi) on shower walls and floors before tiling. This is essential to prevent moisture damage.
- Use cement backer board: Never tile directly onto drywall in wet areas. Use cement board (Durock, HardieBacker) or foam board (Kerdi-Board) in showers and tub surrounds.
- Slope the shower floor: Ensure a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot toward the drain. Small tiles (1x1 or 2x2 mosaic) conform to slopes better than large tiles.
- Dry-lay tiles first: Set tiles on the floor without adhesive to plan your layout and minimize narrow cuts along walls.
- Buy 10-15% extra: Tile can chip during cutting, and you will want spares for future repairs. Dye lots vary, so buy all tile at once.
- Use unsanded grout for narrow gaps: Grout lines 1/8 inch or smaller need unsanded grout. Sanded grout is for gaps 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch.
- Seal grout after curing: Apply grout sealer 48-72 hours after grouting to protect against moisture and stains, especially in shower areas.
Privacy and Limitations
This bathroom tile calculator provides estimates for planning and budgeting. Actual requirements may differ based on room layout complexity, fixture sizes, tile pattern, installer technique, and manufacturer recommendations. Always measure your specific bathroom and consult with a tile professional for complex projects.
All calculations are performed locally in your browser. No data is stored or transmitted.
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Bathroom Tile Calculator FAQ
How many tiles do I need for a small bathroom?
A typical small bathroom (5x8 ft) needs about 40 square feet of floor tile and 160-200 square feet of wall tile if fully tiled. With a 10% waste factor, that's roughly 44 floor tiles (12x12) and 1,760 subway tiles (3x6) for walls. Most homeowners tile only the shower/tub surround, reducing wall tile needs to 60-80 square feet.
What size tile is best for a bathroom floor?
For bathroom floors, 12x12 inch and 12x24 inch tiles are most popular. Smaller tiles like 2x2 mosaic or hexagonal tiles provide better traction due to more grout lines. Large format tiles (12x24 or larger) make small bathrooms look bigger but require a flatter subfloor. Avoid tiles larger than 24x24 for bathroom floors as they may not slope properly toward drains.
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom?
Tile costs for a bathroom range from $2-$15 per square foot for materials. A small bathroom (5x8) costs $200-$800 for floor tile and $300-$1,200 for shower surround tile. Add $200-$400 for grout, thinset, backer board, and trim pieces. Professional installation adds $5-$15 per square foot. Total cost for a full bathroom tile job typically runs $1,500-$5,000.
What is bullnose tile and do I need it?
Bullnose tile has one rounded, finished edge used to create a clean transition where tile meets drywall or another surface. You need bullnose along the top edge of a shower surround, along exposed tile edges, and around niches. Calculate bullnose by measuring all exposed edges in linear feet and dividing by tile width. Metal trim strips are a modern alternative to bullnose.
How much thinset mortar do I need for bathroom tile?
Plan for approximately 50 lbs of thinset mortar per 60-75 square feet using a 1/4-inch square-notch trowel (standard for wall tile) or per 40-50 square feet with a 1/2-inch trowel (for large floor tiles). A typical small bathroom needs 2-3 bags (50 lb each) of thinset for floors and walls combined.
Should I use the same tile on bathroom floors and walls?
You can, but most designers recommend different tiles for floors and walls. Floor tiles should be slip-resistant with a textured surface, while wall tiles can be smooth and glossy. Popular combinations include 12x24 porcelain floor tiles with 3x6 subway wall tiles, or hexagonal floor tiles with large format wall tiles. Using different tiles adds visual interest to the bathroom.