Tile calculator
Short answer
Tile costs about $7–$20 per square foot installed. A 192 sq ft room (12×16 ft) runs roughly $1,344–$3,840 and takes about 15 boxes.
Cost / sq ft
$7–$20
Sq ft / box
15
12×16 room boxes
15
12×16 cost
$1,344–$3,840
What drives the cost of tile
Tile runs about $7–$20 per square foot installed. For a typical 12×16-foot room (192 sq ft) that's roughly $1,344–$3,840, or about 15 boxes at 15 sq ft each. That makes it one of the pricier options — ranked 1 of 5 common flooring types by installed cost.
The $7-to-$20 spread comes down to two things: material grade and installation. For tile, the grade lever is whether it's ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone, plus tile size and finish. Labor adds the rest — a simple floating install costs less than a glue-down or mortar-set job.
Layout decides how much you actually buy. A straight lay adds about 10% waste, a diagonal 15%, and herringbone 20% — so the same room in a fancy pattern needs meaningfully more tile. The cost above is on the floor area; you buy the extra to cover offcuts.
What drives the cost
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Material grade | Drives the $7–$20/sq ft range — whether it's ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone, plus tile size and finish |
| Layout pattern | Waste runs ~10% straight to ~20% herringbone |
| Subfloor prep | Leveling, moisture barriers, or old-floor removal add to the job |
| Room size & shape | Cut-heavy rooms waste more; a box covers ~15 sq ft |
| Installation method | Floating click-lock is cheapest; glue-down and mortar-set cost more in labor |
| Trim & transitions | Baseboards, thresholds, and stair nosing add materials most estimates forget |
Tile vs other flooring
| Flooring type | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Laminate | $3–$7/sq ft |
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $3–$8/sq ft |
| Engineered wood | $6–$14/sq ft |
| Solid hardwood | $8–$18/sq ft |
| Tile | $7–$20/sq ft |
Buying tile
- Order about 10% extra tile for a straight lay (more for diagonal or herringbone) so you have cuts and future repairs covered.
- Budget for backer board, thinset, and grout — with tile, the material is only part of the installed cost.
- Buy all your tile from the same production lot so color and finish match across boxes.
- Enter your real room size and layout pattern in the calculator for an exact tile box count and cost.
Estimate your floor
Open the flooring calculatorOther flooring types
Frequently asked questions
How much does tile cost per square foot?
About $7–$20 per square foot installed. Underlayment, trim, and subfloor prep are extra.
How many boxes of tile for a 12×16 room?
About 15 boxes for 192 sq ft with a straight lay (10% waste), at 15 sq ft per box. Diagonal and herringbone patterns need more.
How much waste should I add for tile?
Add about 10% for a straight or grid layout, 15% for a diagonal lay, and 20% or more for herringbone or chevron. Complex room shapes add more. The calculator applies the right factor per pattern.