Tile Cost Calculator
Tile, boxes, labor and the total. Enter the area and the price on the box — set labor to zero if you are doing it yourself.
How the cost is calculated
- Area = length × width; add 10% waste (15% for diagonal layouts).
- Boxes = area with waste ÷ coverage per box, rounded up.
- Material = boxes × price per box.
- Labor = area with waste × labor rate per square foot. Total is the two added together.
Worked example
A 10 ft × 12 ft floor with 24 × 24 tile, 10% waste, $45 per 10 sq ft box, labor at $8:
- 120 sq ft × 1.10 = 132 sq ft
- 14 boxes × $45 = $630 material
- 132 × $8 = $1,056 labor
- Total: $1,686, about $12.80 per square foot
That is 33 tiles at 4 sq ft each. Keep whichever box is left over — a future repair will not colour-match without it.
Typical US prices
| Tile type | Material per sq ft | Labor per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $1–5 | $4–8 |
| Porcelain | $3–8 | $6–12 |
| Natural stone | $5–15 | $8–15 |
| Mosaic / small format | $5–20 | $10–20 |
| Thinset, grout, trim | $1–2 | — |
What the labor rate usually excludes
- Demo and haul-away — $1–3 per sq ft
- Backer board or uncoupling membrane — $2–4 per sq ft
- Waterproofing (showers and wet areas) — $3–6 per sq ft
- Moving the toilet or plumbing — quoted separately
Ask for a line-item quote. A single lump sum makes it impossible to tell whether you are paying for tile or for prep.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tile cost per square foot?
Ceramic $1–5, porcelain $3–8, stone $5–15 for material. Add $4–12 per square foot for installation, plus $1–2 for thinset and grout.
How much to tile a bathroom?
A 40 sq ft porcelain floor runs $400–800 installed. A tub surround adds $600–1,500 because waterproofing and many small cuts drive the labor up.
How much extra tile should I buy?
10% for a standard layout, 15% for diagonal or rooms with many cuts. Buy whole boxes and keep one sealed — dye lots change between production runs.
Is it worth tiling myself?
On a flat floor with large-format tile, yes — the saving is roughly $4–12 per square foot. Showers, niches and anything that must be waterproof are where DIY failures get expensive, so those are worth paying for.