How many tiles for a 12×12 room?
Quick Answer
A 12×12 foot room (144 sq ft) needs 144 tiles if using 12×12 inch tiles — exactly 1 tile per square foot — plus 10% waste = 159 tiles. For 18×18 inch tiles, you need 67 tiles. For 24×24 inch tiles, you need 38 tiles. Always add 10% for cuts; add 15% for diagonal layouts.
Quick Reference Table
| Tile Size | Tiles for 12×12 room (144 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| 6×6" | 576 tiles + waste |
| 12×12" | 144 tiles + waste |
| 16×16" | 81 tiles + waste |
| 18×18" | 64 tiles + waste |
| 24×24" | 36 tiles + waste |
| 12×24" | 72 tiles + waste |
How to Calculate It Yourself
- 1
Measure room area: 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft.
- 2
Calculate tile coverage: (tile width in inches × tile length in inches) ÷ 144 = sq ft per tile. For 18×18: 18×18÷144 = 2.25 sq ft/tile.
- 3
Divide area by tile coverage: 144 ÷ 2.25 = 64 tiles.
- 4
Add waste: 10% for straight lay (64 × 1.10 = 71 tiles), 15% for diagonal lay (64 × 1.15 = 74 tiles). Round up to full boxes.
Pro Tip
Tiles are sold in boxes covering a set square footage — always buy full boxes and round up. Keep unopened boxes for future repairs; tiles are discontinued regularly and you won't find an exact match years later.
Need an exact number for your specific dimensions?
Use the Tile Calculator →