How much tile do you need? A simple guide for bathrooms (2025)

If you’ve ever stood in a tile aisle thinking “how much tile do you need for this bathroom?”, you found yourself in a right place. Getting the numbers right saves money, avoids delays, and stops that painful moment where you run out halfway through a job. So stick around and we’ll break it down in plain steps. By the end, you’ll know exactly how much tile do you need for floors, walls, and shower areas.

How much tile do you need?

Quick answer first

For floors, measure length × width. For walls, measure height × width for each wall. Add around 10% extra for cuts, breakage, and odd corners. That’s the fast way to answer how much tile do you need before you shop.

Step 1: work out your floor area

Start with the floor. Grab a tape measure and note the length and width in metres. Multiply them together to get square metres. Example: 2.4 m × 1.8 m = 4.32 m². That’s your base floor number for how much tile do you need on the floor.

If your bathroom has a separate toilet nook or a little cut-out, measure those bits too and add them on. Irregular rooms are normal in older places around Underwood, so don’t stress. Just split the room into rectangles and total them up. This still gives you a solid answer to how much tile do you need overall.

Step 2: measure your wall areas

Walls depend on what you’re tiling up to. Full height, half height, or just the shower, it all changes how much tile do you need. Measure the height you plan to tile and the width of each wall. Multiply each wall, then add them together. That total is the wall part of how much tile do you need.

Tip: if you’re only tiling the shower, measure just those shower walls. You’ll get a tighter number for how much tile do you need and avoid buying too much.

Step 3: subtract big gaps

If a wall has a big window or doorway inside your tiled area, you can subtract it. Measure that opening and remove it from your wall total. Don’t subtract tiny niches or small pipes though. It usually balances out with waste. That keeps your how much tile do you need maths simple and safe.

Step 4: add waste (yes, always)

Waste is the part people skip, then regret. Tiles have to be cut at corners, around drains, and along edges. Some break, some chip, and some don’t match later if you need replacements. For most bathrooms, add 10%. For tricky layouts, patterns, or mosaics, add 15%. This buffer is the difference between a smooth job and a late-night panic about how much tile do you need.

If you’re using feature strips or small pieces like mosaics, waste goes up a bit. The ideas in kitchen splashbacks with mosaic tiles show how small formats behave in real installs, and the same logic applies in showers when you’re working out how much tile do you need.

Step 5: check tile size and pattern

Tile size changes your quantity slightly. Large format tiles mean fewer grout lines but bigger offcuts at edges, especially in small rooms. Smaller tiles follow curves better but take longer to lay. If you’re deciding between finishes, our FAQ about bathroom tiles helps with the pros and cons, and it can change how much tile do you need if you switch sizes.

Patterns like herringbone or chevron create extra cutting. If your bathroom flows into nearby rooms, many homeowners match the look with idesign herringbone floors or idesign chevron floors. Just remember to bump your waste up, because pattern installs affect how much tile do you need.

Step 6: convert square metres to boxes

Tiles are sold by the box, and each box covers a set area like 1.0 m², 1.44 m², or 1.8 m². Look at the label, then divide your total by the coverage per box. Round up. If your total is 12.6 m² and a box covers 1.44 m², you need 8.75 boxes, so you buy 9. That’s the practical answer to how much tile do you need in boxes.

Bathroom example (floor + walls)

Let’s say your bathroom floor is 2.5 m × 2.0 m. Floor area = 5.0 m².

You’re tiling two shower walls, each 2.1 m high and 1.6 m wide. Each wall = 3.36 m². Two walls = 6.72 m².

Total tiled area = 5.0 + 6.72 = 11.72 m².

Add 10% waste = 12.89 m². That’s how much tile do you need for this setup.

Don’t forget trims, grout, and waterproofing

When you’re planning how much tile do you need, also think about what sits between and behind tiles. You’ll want the right grout colour, matching trims, and proper waterproofing in wet zones. Porcelain and ceramic are easy-care picks for bathrooms. If you’re comparing them, our post on do porcelain tiles scratch easily and our overview of ceramic tiles are handy reads.

Local tips for Brisbane and Logan bathrooms

Queensland bathrooms often have odd corners, older floor falls, or small wet-area layouts. That’s normal in places around Underwood, Springwood, and Logan Central. If your room isn’t a perfect rectangle, split it into smaller shapes and add them. You’ll still land on a good number for how much tile do you need.

Humidity also means you should pick safe, grippy floor finishes. If you’re not sure, check the slip ratings explained in slip resistant outdoor tiles. Same rating system, same safety rules, just indoors. It won’t change your area maths, but it can influence how much tile do you need if you choose a different size or finish.

Common questions

What if I buy too much?

It’s better than buying too little. Extra boxes give you spares for future chips or renos. If a tile line gets discontinued, you’ll be glad you didn’t underbuy. That’s why the waste step is part of how much tile do you need.

What if I buy too little?

Best case, you lose time getting more. Worst case, you can’t match the batch colour. If you’re working to a tight schedule, underbuying is the number one way to blow out a project. So when asking how much tile do you need, always round up.

Do different tile types change the count?

The area maths stays the same, but waste changes. Mosaics and patterns create more offcuts. Large format tiles in little bathrooms also push waste up. This is why choosing the right bathroom tiles matters before you lock in how much tile do you need.

Do wall tiles and floor tiles use the same method?

Yes. You measure the area you want covered and add waste. The method for how much tile do you need is the same, even if the tiles themselves are different.

Want a hand with your numbers?

If you’d like us to double-check your measurements, bring them into the Underwood showroom or send them through the contact page. We’ll help you confirm how much tile do you need for your exact layout, plus suggest the right ranges for your style and budget. You can also browse tile options on the shop page and then come in to see them in person.

To work out how much tile do you need, measure floors and walls in square metres, subtract big openings, add 10 to 15% waste, then convert to boxes and round up. It’s a small bit of planning that saves a lot of stress later. Once you’ve got your number, you can move on to picking looks you like, such as the styles in white bathroom tiles that never go out of style or budget ideas from affordable bathroom tiles that don’t look cheap.

When you double-check how much tile do you need on paper first, you can shop with confidence. If you change patterns later, ask again how much tile do you need before ordering.

If you’re still unsure about how much tile do you need, send a quick message and we’ll walk through it with you. Knowing how much tile do you need early makes the whole reno easier, and it stops last minute rush orders. You can always give us a visit in our showroom in Underwood.