Wall Tile Calculator

How to measure walls for tile

Walls are a little different from floors because you’re measuring vertically and you almost always have openings to deal with. Take each wall on its own: height times width gives you that wall’s area, and then you subtract any window, door, or mirror you’re tiling around. Do that for every wall, total it up, and you’ve got the net area the calculator needs.

Worked example: a bathroom wall with a window

Say you’re tiling one wet wall in subway tile and there’s a window in the middle of it:

Small tiles mean a lot of pieces — and a lot of grout joints — so double-check the box count before you leave the store. For the full method, including shower walls and feature walls, see our wall tile guide, or the subway tile guideif that’s your look.

Tips for a clean wall-tile job

Dry-lay a row before you commit so you don’t end up with a sliver of a cut tile in the most visible corner. On a feature wall, plan the layout so full tiles land where the eye goes first. And don’t forget the grout joint — it slightly increases each tile’s coverage, which the calculator already accounts for. Not sure which joint width to use? Our grout line size guide has the recommendations by tile type.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate wall tiles?

Measure the height and width of each wall and multiply for the area, then add the walls together. Subtract any windows, doors, or large fixtures you're tiling around. Divide the net area by one tile's coverage, add 10% waste, and round up to whole boxes — the calculator above does it instantly.

Do I subtract windows and doors from wall tile?

Yes. Measure each opening and deduct it from the wall area, otherwise you'll badly over-buy on a wall with a big window or a shower door. Enter openings in the calculator and they're subtracted automatically. One exception: very small cutouts are often left in the count as free waste cover.

How high should I tile a bathroom wall?

It depends on the look. Full-height to the ceiling is common in showers and wet walls; a half-wall or wainscot is usually tiled to around 36–48 inches; and a backsplash strip behind a vanity is often just 4–6 inches. Measure the exact height you plan to tile — don't assume floor-to-ceiling.

How much extra wall tile should I buy?

Around 10% for a standard straight or brick (running-bond) layout. Go to 15% for subway tile set in herringbone or any diagonal pattern, since the cuts around openings and corners waste more. Keep the offcuts as spares.

Tiling a different surface?

The math behind every tile estimate is the same — area, tile size, grout gap, and a waste buffer. These versions just come preset for a specific job, with tips and worked examples for that surface. Pick whichever is closest and the numbers come out the same.