e.g. 12
e.g. 10
Standard: 10%. Diagonal layout: 15%. Complex patterns: 20%
Tile Estimate
Setting Materials
Estimated Total Materials Cost
$220 – $700
132.00 ceramic tiles for 120.00 sq ft
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Tile Installation Cost Guide
Per-square-foot pricing, waste factors, substrate requirements, and DIY feasibility.
How Much Does Tile Installation Cost in 2026?
Tile installation costs $4–$12 per square foot for labor, plus $1–$25/sq ft for materials depending on tile type.
- Ceramic tile: $1–$5/sq ft material + $4–$6/sq ft labor
- Porcelain tile: $3–$10/sq ft material + $5–$8/sq ft labor
- Natural stone (marble, travertine): $5–$25/sq ft material + $6–$12/sq ft labor
- Glass mosaic: $5–$30/sq ft material + $8–$15/sq ft labor
- Large-format (24x24+): Add $1–$3/sq ft labor premium (requires very flat substrate)
A typical 100 sq ft bathroom floor costs $800–$2,500 complete (porcelain tile, mortar, grout, labor).
Key Takeaways
- Floor tile labor: $4–$8/sq ft
- Porcelain tile material: $3–$10/sq ft
- 100 sq ft bathroom: $800–$2,500 total
Tile Waste Factor & Ordering Guide
Order 10–15% more tile than the measured area to account for cuts, breakage, and future repairs.
- Straight lay: 10% waste factor
- Diagonal lay: 15% waste factor
- Herringbone/complex pattern: 15–20% waste factor
- Natural stone (irregular): 15–20% waste factor
- Always save 5–10 extra tiles from the same dye lot for future repairs
Tile comes in dye lots — color varies between production runs. Always buy all tile at once from the same lot number.
Key Takeaways
- Standard waste: 10% (straight lay)
- Diagonal/pattern: 15–20% waste
- Buy all tile at once from same dye lot
Tile Substrate & Waterproofing Requirements
Never install tile directly on drywall in wet areas. Use cement backer board (Durock, HardieBacker) or a waterproof board system.
- Cement backer board: $0.50–$1.00/sq ft, standard for floors and shower walls
- Waterproof board (Kerdi, GoBoard): $2–$4/sq ft, eliminates need for separate membrane
- Self-leveling underlayment: $2–$5/sq ft when subfloor is uneven
- Thinset mortar: Modified thinset for floors ($15–$25 per 50-lb bag, covers 60–80 sq ft)
- Grout: Sanded for joints 1/8"+ wide, unsanded for narrower joints
Key Takeaways
- Cement backer board required in wet areas
- Thinset mortar: $15–$25/bag covers 60–80 sq ft
- Waterproof membrane critical for showers
DIY Tile vs. Professional Installation
Floor tile is a viable DIY project, but shower tile and large-format tiles require professional skill for waterproofing and flat installation.
- DIY floor tile: Feasible with basic tools (wet saw $50–$75/day rental, trowel, spacers)
- DIY production rate: 30–60 sq ft/day for a careful first-timer
- Pro production rate: 80–150 sq ft/day
- Hire a pro for: Shower stalls, heated floors, natural stone, large-format tiles
The cost of fixing bad tile work ($8–$15/sq ft to remove and redo) far exceeds the savings from DIY on complex installations.
Key Takeaways
- Floor tile: viable DIY project
- Shower tile: hire a professional
- Bad tile removal + redo: $8–$15/sq ft
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your room dimensions
Input the length and width of the area you want to tile in feet. For irregularly shaped rooms, break the area into rectangles and calculate each separately.
Select tile size and material
Choose from common tile sizes (4x4 to 24x24 inches) and material types (ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, or glass) to get accurate quantity and cost estimates.
Set your waste factor
Standard layouts need 10% waste, diagonal patterns need 15%, and complex patterns like herringbone need 20%. Extra tiles account for cuts, breakage, and future repairs.
Review tiles, materials, and cost
See total tiles needed, plus grout, thinset mortar, and spacer quantities with cost estimates. All materials are calculated to fully cover your project.
Tile Quantity Formulas
Tiles Needed = (Area sq ft x (1 + Waste%/100)) / Tile Area sq ft
Tile Area sq ft = (Tile Width x Tile Height) / 144
Grout (lbs) = Area / 100 x 25
Thinset (lbs) = Area / 100 x 50Where:
- Area
- = Total area to be tiled in square feet (length x width)
- Tile Area
- = Area of one tile converted from square inches to square feet
- Waste%
- = Extra material percentage — 10% standard, 15% diagonal, 20% complex
- 144
- = Conversion factor from square inches to square feet
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many tiles do I need per square foot?
It depends on tile size. A 12x12 inch tile covers 1 sq ft, so you need 1 tile per square foot plus waste. A 6x6 inch tile covers 0.25 sq ft, so you need 4 tiles per square foot. A 24x24 inch tile covers 4 sq ft, so you need 0.25 tiles per square foot. Always add 10-20% extra for cuts and waste.
How much extra tile should I buy for waste?
Buy 10% extra for straight layouts, 15% for diagonal installations, and 20% for complex patterns like herringbone or versailles. Also keep a few spare tiles (5-10) for future repairs, as matching dye lots may be impossible later. Larger format tiles typically generate more waste from cuts.
How much grout do I need for my tile project?
Grout quantity depends on tile size, grout joint width, and tile thickness. As a general rule, plan for about 25 lbs of grout per 100 sq ft with standard 1/8-inch joints and 12x12 tiles. Smaller tiles with wider joints need significantly more grout. Unsanded grout is used for joints 1/8 inch or smaller; sanded grout for wider joints.
What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?
Porcelain tile is denser and harder than ceramic, with a water absorption rate below 0.5% compared to 3-7% for ceramic. Porcelain is better for high-moisture areas, outdoors, and high-traffic floors. Ceramic tile is easier to cut, lighter, and less expensive ($1-5/sf vs $3-10/sf), making it ideal for walls, backsplashes, and moderate-traffic floors.
How much does it cost to tile a floor?
Total floor tiling costs typically range from $7-$25 per square foot installed. Materials (tile, grout, thinset, spacers) run $2-$15/sf depending on tile type. Professional installation adds $4-$12/sf for labor. A standard 150 sq ft bathroom floor costs $1,050-$3,750 total. Large format tiles and complex patterns increase labor costs.
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