How it works
Tiles are placed on a grid with the joint between them, row by row. Offset rows are shifted by the chosen fraction of a tile; diagonal layouts are rotated by 45°.
Every tile that touches the area is counted — a cut tile counts as one tile bought, because offcuts from tiles are rarely reusable.
For planks (laminate, vinyl, engineered wood) the offcut at the end of one row usually starts the next row. With that option on, the quantity is based on area instead.
Starting from the centre makes the cut strips at opposite edges equal, which usually looks better than one full and one thin strip.
What the calculator assumes
- One rectangular area. For L-shaped rooms, split them into rectangles and add the results.
- The reserve for breakage is your choice; many installers add around 10 % for straight layouts and more for diagonal ones.
- Pack sizes and tile sizes vary by product — use the values on the box.
Questions
- How much extra tile should I buy?
- It depends on the pattern, the tile and your experience. Diagonal patterns and large tiles create more waste. Keep a few spare tiles for future repairs — the same batch is hard to find later.
- Why is the layout count higher than area ÷ tile size?
- Because each cut tile is a whole tile bought. The narrower the cut strips, the bigger the difference.
Planning aid only. It does not size structural members or check loads — follow the manufacturer's instructions and your local building rules.