Herringbone Tile Calculator
Your pattern
45° runs diagonal to the walls and wastes more.
Plank tiles to buy
378
- Waste factor applied
- 18%
- Area with waste
- 94.4 sq ft
- Plank face area
- 0.25 sq ft
Dry-lay the first zigzag from a center line before committing — slivers at the wall ruin the look.
Do this math on the job site — in the free app
Smart Tile Calculator for Android: offline, in your pocket, no ads. iPhone version coming soon.
Tools the pros use for this job
Tile Wet Saw
Herringbone is 90% angle cuts — a wet saw is not optional here.
Layout Square
Keeps the zigzag true so rows do not drift across the room.
Subway Tile
White Glossy Ceramic Subway Tile 3x6 Wall Backsplash Made in USA (Full Box 100 Pieces)
Check price on AmazonThe classic herringbone plank — cheap, timeless, easy to source.
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How this calculator works
The tile count itself is simple — area with waste divided by plank face area. The skill is in the waste factor: 90° herringbone wastes ~18%, and 45° wastes ~22% because the pattern runs diagonally to every wall, turning every perimeter tile into a triangle cut.
Snap a center line and dry-lay the first zigzag before mixing thinset. If the pattern will end in slivers under 2 inches at both walls, shift the center line by half a plank.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between herringbone and chevron?
Herringbone uses rectangular planks laid at right angles with staggered ends. Chevron uses planks cut at an angle (usually 45°) so the ends meet in a straight point. Chevron needs factory-angled tile or far more cutting.
How much extra tile does herringbone need?
Plan 18–22% over the room's square footage, versus 10% for a straight layout. In a room with lots of angles, add another 4%.
What tile size works best for herringbone?
Planks with a length-to-width ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 read most clearly — 3×12 and 4×16 are the sweet spot. 3×6 subway works but looks busy; 6×24 needs a very flat floor.
Related calculators
- Tile Quantity CalculatorHow many tiles you need for any room, wall, or floor — with waste.
- Waste Factor CalculatorHow much extra tile to buy for cuts, patterns, and breakage.
- Tile Layout & Pattern CalculatorCut sizes and row counts for grid, offset, diagonal, herringbone.
- Floor Tile CalculatorTiles and boxes for any floor, by room dimensions and tile size.
Guides worth reading next
- How to Measure a Room for Tile (Step by Step)Measure any room for floor or wall tile: handle closets and alcoves, convert inches to decimals, subtract fixtures, and add the right waste percentage.
- Choosing the Right Tile Size for Your RoomHow tile size changes a room: when 12×24 beats 4×4, why small rooms can take large tile, grout line math, and the flatness rule for big formats.
- Sanded vs Unsanded vs Epoxy Grout: Which One Do You Need?Grout types explained by joint width and location: when sand scratches tile, why epoxy wins in showers, and how much of each type a bag actually covers.