Mosaic Tile Calculator
Your mosaic project
From the listing. Set to 0 to skip box count.
Sheets to buy
34
- Sheet coverage
- 1 sq ft
- Area with waste
- 33.6 sq ft
- Boxes to buy
- 4
Order all sheets from the same dye lot — mosaic blends vary noticeably between lots.
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
Mosaic Sheets
Hominter Colorful Ceramic Mosaic Tile Small Squares, 5 Sq Ft | 12”x12” Sheet, Glossy Glaze Polished Porcelain, Kitchen Backsplash, Bathroom Wall Décor, Shower Floor and DIY Crafts
Check price on AmazonTop-rated mesh-mounted sheets for shower floors and accents.
Tile Nippers
Goldblatt 2 Pieces Tile Nippers Set, Ceramic & Mosaic Cutter Tools | Heavy Duty Carbon Steel, Tile Cutter, Soft Grip Handles, Porcelain Nippers, Wheeled Glass Cutter, Precision Trimming
Check price on AmazonTrim individual chips around drains and edges without a saw.
Epoxy Grout
NADAMOO Epoxy Grout Bright Porcelain White, Dual Tubes Waterproof Tile Grout 19oz 400ml, Restore Tile Grout Line for Shower Bathroom Wet Room Kitchen, Caulk Gun NOT Included
Check price on AmazonMosaics mean miles of grout line — epoxy never needs sealing.
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How this calculator works
Sheet coverage is (width × height) ÷ 144 square feet. We divide your area — with waste — by sheet coverage and round up. Mosaic waste is lower than plank patterns because you can pull individual chips off the mesh to fill gaps, but curves and drains push it back up.
Watch out for nominal vs actual sheet size: a sheet sold as 12×12 often measures 11.7 inches, which is about 5% less coverage. Use the actual dimensions from the spec sheet when precision matters.
Frequently asked questions
How much waste for mosaic tile?
10–12% is typical. Shower floors with a center drain can need 15% because every sheet touching the drain gets cut. Straight accent strips can go as low as 8%.
Do mosaics need special thinset?
Use a white, polymer-modified thinset so the color does not shadow through glass or light stone. Comb it with a small V-notch trowel and flatten the ridges — they telegraph through thin sheets.
Can mosaic sheets go on a shower floor?
Yes, and they are the best choice: the dense grout lines provide grip and the small chips follow the slope to the drain. Look for sheets rated for floor use.
Related calculators
- Tile Quantity CalculatorHow many tiles you need for any room, wall, or floor — with waste.
- Grout CalculatorPounds of grout by tile size, joint width, and thickness.
- Backsplash Tile CalculatorKitchen backsplash square footage between counter and cabinets.
- Shower Tile CalculatorWalls, floor, curb, and niche for a full shower surround.
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.