Tile Calculator

Work out exactly how many tiles, how much grout and how much adhesive you need — for walls, floors and showers.

Calculate Your Tiles

Enter the area you want to tile and the tile size. We'll work out the exact number of tiles, grout and adhesive you need.

Room length in metres
Room width in metres

Your Tiling Materials

Area to Tile
Tiles Needed
inc. 10% wastage
Grout
kg
Adhesive
x 20 kg bags
Est. Tile Cost
tiles only
Est. Total Cost
tiles + grout + adhesive

Get the Free UK Tiling Cost Guide

Material prices, labour rates and how to save 20% on your tiling project. Delivered straight to your inbox.

Where to Buy Tiles in the UK

Once you know your tile count, compare prices at these UK suppliers. Buying online often means free delivery on large orders.

SupplierWhat They StockBest For
Topps Tiles Wall tiles, floor tiles, mosaics, natural stone, grout, adhesive UK's largest tile retailer, 300+ stores, free samples
Wickes Ceramic, porcelain, adhesive, grout, trims Trade pricing, click & collect, nationwide
B&Q Wall tiles, floor tiles, underfloor heating compatible UK-wide stores, same-day collection
Amazon UK Mosaic sheets, feature tiles, adhesive, grout, tile cutters Prime delivery, huge selection of tools and accessories

Links above are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to reputable UK suppliers.

How Many Tiles Do I Need Per Square Metre?

The number of tiles per m² depends entirely on tile size. Here’s a quick reference for the most common UK tile sizes, including coverage and approximate 2026 prices.

Tile SizeTiles per m²Best ForPrice Range (2026)
300 × 300 mm11.1Small bathroom floors, splashbacks£12–£30 per m²
450 × 450 mm4.9Kitchens, utility rooms£15–£40 per m²
600 × 300 mm5.6Bathroom walls, shower enclosures£15–£45 per m²
600 × 600 mm2.8Open-plan floors, living areas£20–£55 per m²
900 × 450 mm2.5Feature walls, large bathrooms£25–£60 per m²
1200 × 600 mm1.4Statement floors, minimal grout£35–£80 per m²

Tip: Prices above are for ceramic and porcelain tiles. Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate) can cost 2–3× more. Mosaic sheets are typically £40–£100 per m².

How to Use This Tile Calculator

Step 1: Choose Your Project Type

Floor: Enter the room length and width. The calculator works out the total floor area. Wall: Enter the wall width and height. Shower: Enter the enclosure width, depth and height — the calculator measures three walls automatically. Custom: Enter a pre-measured area in m² if you’ve already done the maths.

Step 2: Select Your Tile Size

Choose from the most common UK tile sizes or enter a custom size. The calculator adjusts tile count, grout and adhesive quantities automatically. For walls, 600 × 300 mm is the UK’s most popular choice. For floors, 600 × 600 mm is standard.

Step 3: Choose Your Layout Pattern

A straight or brick-bond layout wastes around 10% of tiles on cuts. Diagonal and herringbone patterns waste around 15% because every edge tile needs an angled cut. The calculator adds the right wastage percentage automatically.

Step 4: Check Your Grout Joint Width

Standard UK practice is a 3 mm grout joint. For a sleek modern look, 2 mm joints work well with rectified tiles. For natural stone or rustic tiles, 5 mm joints are typical. Wider joints use more grout.

Tiling Cost Guide UK — 2026 Prices

What you’ll actually spend on a tiling project in the UK, including materials and labour.

Material Costs

MaterialCost (2026)Coverage
Ceramic wall tiles£12–£30 per m²
Porcelain floor tiles£20–£55 per m²
Natural stone tiles£40–£100 per m²
Tile adhesive (20 kg bag)£12–£204–5 m² (small tiles) / 2.5–3 m² (large)
Grout (5 kg bag)£8–£155–10 m² depending on tile size
Tile spacers (bag of 250)£2–£4~5 m²

Labour Costs

JobCost per m²Day Rate
Wall tiling (standard)£25–£40 per m²£200–£300/day
Floor tiling (standard)£30–£45 per m²£200–£300/day
Bathroom full tile (walls + floor)£35–£55 per m²£250–£350/day
Tiling in London / SE England+20–30% premium£300–£450/day

Budget example: A standard bathroom (walls + floor, 15 m² total) using mid-range porcelain tiles: materials ~£500–£700, labour ~£600–£800, total ~£1,100–£1,500.

Types of Tiles for UK Homes

Ceramic Tiles

The most affordable option, made from kiln-fired clay with a glazed surface. Suitable for walls and light-traffic floors. Not recommended for outdoor use or high-moisture areas without proper sealing. Price: £12–£30 per m².

Porcelain Tiles

Denser and harder than ceramic, fired at higher temperatures. Suitable for walls, floors, and wet areas including showers and kitchens. Frost-resistant versions work outdoors. The UK’s most popular choice for bathroom and kitchen floors. Price: £20–£55 per m².

Natural Stone (Marble, Travertine, Slate)

Premium natural materials that require sealing and more maintenance. Each tile is unique, which is part of the appeal. Travertine is popular for bathroom floors; slate works well in hallways and kitchens. Price: £40–£100+ per m².

Mosaic Tiles

Small tiles (typically 25–50 mm) mounted on mesh sheets for easy installation. Popular for shower niches, splashbacks and feature strips. Labour-intensive to cut and fit around obstacles. Price: £40–£100 per m².

Large-Format Tiles (900 mm+)

Create a clean, modern look with minimal grout lines. Require a perfectly level substrate and experienced installation. Increasingly popular in UK new builds and renovations. Usually need two people to handle during installation. Price: £25–£80 per m².

5 Common Tiling Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Not Ordering Enough Tiles

The number one tiling mistake. Always add at least 10% for a straight layout and 15% for diagonal patterns. Keep spare tiles for future repairs — your tile batch may be discontinued by the time you need a replacement.

2. Skipping the Waterproofing

Tiles alone are not waterproof. In wet areas (showers, bath surrounds), you must apply a tanking membrane or liquid waterproofing before tiling. Without it, moisture seeps behind tiles and causes mould, loose tiles and structural damage.

3. Using the Wrong Adhesive

Standard adhesive works for small ceramic wall tiles, but porcelain and large-format tiles need flexible adhesive. Wet areas need a waterproof or water-resistant adhesive. Using the wrong type is the most common cause of tiles falling off walls within the first year.

4. Not Levelling the Substrate

Tiles amplify any bumps or dips in the surface underneath. Use self-levelling compound on floors and skim-coat or plasterboard walls before tiling. For large-format tiles (600 mm+), the substrate must be flat to within 3 mm over a 2 m span.

5. Starting From the Wrong Point

Never start tiling from a corner or edge — walls and floors are rarely square. Find the centre of the wall or floor, dry-lay tiles from the centre outward to check the layout, then adjust so you avoid narrow sliver cuts at the edges. Slivers look bad and are hard to cut cleanly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tiles do I need per square metre?
It depends on tile size. 300×300 mm: 11 tiles. 600×300 mm: 6 tiles. 600×600 mm: 3 tiles. Always add 10–15% for wastage depending on your layout pattern.
How much grout do I need per square metre of tiles?
For 300×300 mm tiles with 3 mm joints: ~0.5 kg per m². For 600×600 mm tiles with 3 mm joints: ~0.3 kg per m². This calculator works it out based on your exact tile size and joint width.
How much tile adhesive do I need?
Standard adhesive covers 4–5 m² per 20 kg bag for small tiles (up to 300×300 mm) and 2.5–3 m² per bag for larger tiles that need a thicker bed. The calculator adjusts automatically.
What size tiles should I use for a small bathroom?
600×300 mm on walls and 600×600 mm on floors. Larger tiles with fewer grout lines make small spaces feel bigger. Avoid very large tiles (1200 mm+) in tight rooms as you’ll waste more on cuts.
Should I tile walls or floor first?
Tile walls first, then floors. Start wall tiles one tile height above the floor, tile upward, do the floor, then cut and fit the bottom row of wall tiles to sit on the finished floor.
How much extra should I order for wastage?
10% for straight layouts, 15% for diagonal or herringbone. For complex rooms with lots of cuts (pipes, alcoves), go 15–20%. Always keep spares for future repairs.