Tile Wastage Calculator
Recommends a tile wastage percentage from layout pattern, room shape, tile size and cutouts, then converts it into boxes.
About this tool
Tile Wastage Calculator
Recommends a tile wastage percentage from layout pattern, room shape, tile size and cutouts, then converts it into boxes.
The Tile Wastage Calculator works out how much extra tile to order by adding four separate allowances — laying pattern, room outline, tile format and installer skill — instead of applying a flat 10% to every job. A straight grid starts at 5%, a 45-degree diagonal at 15% and chevron at 22%, because those patterns cut more perimeter tiles at angles that leave unusable offcuts. The result is converted into tiles and sealed boxes so you can place an order against it.
How to use Tile Wastage Calculator
- 1
Open Tile Wastage Calculator on AltFTool — it loads instantly in your browser.
- 2
Enter the values you already know.
- 3
Fine-tune the options to match your scenario.
- 4
Read the result and use it in your planning or reporting.
Why use Tile Wastage Calculator
Pattern-aware, not a flat rule
Separate base allowances for grid, brick, modular, diagonal, herringbone and chevron layouts.
Box maths included
Converts the area into whole boxes and shows the real wastage once boxes are rounded up.
Shows its working
Prints each factor and the percentage it contributed, so you can argue the number with a supplier.
Common use cases
- Decide whether a herringbone bathroom floor needs 10% or nearer 20% extra before confirming the order.
- Check a contractor's box count for a 4 m × 3 m room in 600 × 600 mm tiles laid diagonally.
- See how many spare boxes to store from the same batch so a cracked tile can be replaced later.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra tile should I order for wastage?
Around 5% for a straight grid in a simple rectangular room, 8% for a brick or offset bond, 15% for a 45-degree diagonal and 18–22% for herringbone or chevron. Add roughly 3% more for 600 mm and larger tiles and 2–5% for an L-shaped or irregular room.
Why does diagonal tiling waste more tiles?
Every tile at the perimeter is cut across a diagonal, so the piece left over is a triangle that only fits the opposite corner of the room. In a grid layout the offcut from a straight cut is often the right size to start the next row, which is why grid layouts waste about a third as much.
Should I count the wastage on top of the room area or the tile count?
Apply it to the floor area first, then divide by the area of one tile and round up — that avoids rounding twice. This calculator then rounds up again to whole boxes, which is why the delivered wastage is usually higher than the recommended percentage.
How many spare tiles should I keep after the job?
Keep at least one full box, and two for large-format tiles. Tiles are produced in batches with a shade and calibre code printed on the carton, and a box bought later will rarely match exactly, so future repairs depend on stock kept from the original delivery.
Embed this tool on your site
Add the Tile Wastage Calculator widget to your blog or website — free, responsive, no signup. Just keep the “Widget by AltFTool” credit link visible.
<iframe src="https://www.altftool.com/embed/widget/tile-wastage-calculator"
title="Tile Wastage Calculator — free AltFTool widget"
width="100%" height="640" style="border:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden"
loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>
<p style="font-size:12px;margin:4px 0 0">Widget by <a href="https://www.altftool.com/tools/all/tile-wastage-calculator?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=widget" rel="nofollow">AltFTool — free online tools</a></p>