How much tile wastage should I allow?

For a straightforward rectangular room, 10% wastage is standard. For diagonal layouts, increase to 15%. For rooms with many cuts (around pipes, corners, alcoves), allow 15-20%. For expensive tiles or complex patterns, some tilers recommend buying an extra box or two rather than a percentage to ensure batch consistency.

How many tiles come in a box?

It depends on the tile size. Typical quantities: 100x100 mm = 44/box, 300x300 mm = 11/box, 300x600 mm = 8/box, 600x600 mm = 4/box, 600x1200 mm = 2/box. Always check the box label as quantities vary between manufacturers and ranges.

Should I round up to full boxes?

Yes, always round up to full boxes. You cannot buy individual tiles from a box, and having a few spare tiles is useful for future repairs or replacements. Tile batches (shade numbers) can vary, so tiles from a different batch may not match exactly. It is much better to have a few extras than to be one tile short.

How do I calculate the area of my bathroom walls for tiling?

Measure the height and width of each wall to be tiled and multiply them together (height x width = area). Add the areas of all walls together. Subtract the area of any doors, windows, or other openings. For example: two walls at 2.4 m x 3 m (14.4 m²) plus two walls at 2.4 m x 2 m (9.6 m²) = 24 m², minus a 1.6 m² window = 22.4 m² total.

What is the most popular tile size in UK bathrooms?

The 300 x 600 mm format is currently the most popular wall tile size in UK bathrooms. It offers a good balance between coverage speed and aesthetic appeal. For floor tiles, 600 x 600 mm and 300 x 300 mm are the most common. Larger format tiles (600 x 1200 mm) are increasingly popular for modern, minimal-grout-line designs.

TradeCalcs

Tile to Boxes Converter — How Many Boxes of Tiles Do I Need?

Enter your total area and tile size to find out how many boxes you need to order. Includes wastage allowance and leftover tile calculation.

Total Area to Tile

Total wall or floor area to be tiled

Tile Size

Select tile dimensions or enter custom

Wastage Allowance

10% standard, 15% diagonal, 15-20% complex rooms

How We Calculate This

This calculator converts your total area (in m²) into the number of boxes of tiles you need to purchase, based on tile size and the number of tiles per box.

Calculation Steps

Calculate the area of one tile: width (m) x height (m)
Tiles needed = total area / area per tile (rounded up)
Add wastage percentage (default 10%)
Boxes needed = tiles with wastage / tiles per box (rounded up)
Leftover tiles = total tiles in boxes - tiles needed with wastage

Common UK Tile Sizes

100 x 100 mm: 44 per box (~0.44 m²/box)
300 x 300 mm: 11 per box (~0.99 m²/box)
300 x 600 mm: 8 per box (~1.44 m²/box)
600 x 600 mm: 4 per box (~1.44 m²/box)

Wastage Guidelines

Standard: 10% | Diagonal lay: 15% | Complex rooms with many cuts: 15-20% | Herringbone/chevron: 15-20%

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.