How Many Roof Tiles per Square Metre?
Quick Answer
10 to 60 tiles per m² depending on tile type
Concrete interlocking: ~10/m² | Plain clay: ~60/m² | Natural slate: ~20/m² | Large format: ~8/m²
Coverage Rates by Tile Type
The number of tiles per m² depends on the tile type, size, and headlap (the overlap between courses). Here are the most common UK roof tile types:
Concrete Interlocking Tiles
The most popular choice for UK roofs. Examples include Marley Ludlow Plus and Redland 49.
- Tile size: approximately 420mm x 330mm
- Batten gauge: 345mm (at 75mm headlap)
- Coverage: ~10 tiles per m²
- Weight: approximately 42kg/m²
Plain Clay Tiles
Traditional small-format tiles. Common on period properties and conservation areas.
- Tile size: 265mm x 165mm
- Batten gauge: 100mm (at 65mm headlap, double-lap)
- Coverage: ~60 tiles per m²
- Weight: approximately 68–77kg/m²
Natural Slate
The most common size is 500mm x 250mm (20" x 10").
- Batten gauge: typically 190–210mm (depending on headlap and exposure)
- Coverage: ~20 slates per m²
- Weight: approximately 40–55kg/m² (varies by slate origin)
Large-Format Interlocking Tiles
Larger concrete or clay tiles like Redland Renown or Sandtoft Double Pantile.
- Tile size: approximately 420mm x 330mm or larger
- Coverage: ~8 tiles per m²
- Weight: approximately 38–44kg/m²
What Is Batten Gauge?
The batten gauge is the spacing between the top edges of consecutive battens. It determines how much of each tile is exposed and directly affects the number of tiles per m². The gauge depends on the tile manufacturer’s specification, the roof pitch, and the site exposure zone.
Higher exposure (coastal, high altitude) or lower roof pitches require a greater headlap and therefore a shorter gauge, meaning more tiles per m².
How to Calculate Your Roof
To work out total tiles for your roof:
- Calculate the actual roof area (not the plan area — the roof pitch increases the surface area)
- Multiply by the tiles-per-m² rate for your chosen tile
- Add 5–10% for wastage, cuts at hips and valleys, and breakages
Wastage Allowances
- 5%: Simple gable-to-gable roof with no features
- 7.5%: Roof with one or two valleys or hips
- 10%: Complex roof with multiple hips, valleys, dormers
Tips
Always check the manufacturer’s data sheet for the exact coverage rate at your specific roof pitch, as coverage can vary by 5–10% depending on gauge settings. Order all tiles from the same batch for colour consistency.