Tile Box Converter
Area → boxes
Printed on the box label.
Boxes → coverage
Boxes to buy
12
- Total tiles
- 120
- Coverage bought
- 120 sq ft
- Leftover (attic stock)
- 0 sq ft
- 12 boxes on hand cover
- 120 sq ft
Leftover under half a box? Add one more — a single cracked tile years from now is a full-room eyesore.
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
Porcelain Floor Tile
Daltile Florentine 12" X 12" Glazed Porcelain Floor Tile in Carrara (13 PC Per Carton) (12.22 SQFT Per Carton)
Check price on AmazonTop-rated boxes with clear per-box coverage on the label.
Subway Tile
White Glossy Ceramic Subway Tile 3x6 Wall Backsplash Made in USA (Full Box 100 Pieces)
Check price on AmazonThe classic box buy — cheap enough to always keep a spare box.
Grout Brush
Sponsored Ad - 2 Pack Grout Scrub Brush with Stiff Bristles | Small Cleaning Brush for Kitchen, Bathroom, Tile Floors, Gaps, Crevices and Window Tracks with Durable Scrubbing Bristles
Check price on AmazonKeep the floor looking new after all those boxes are down.
Paid links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How this calculator works
Boxes to buy = ceiling of (your area ÷ square feet per box). Because you cannot buy a fraction of a box, you always round up — the leftover tile is your attic stock for repairs.
Two labels matter on every box: pieces per box and coverage per box. When they disagree with your own math, trust coverage — manufacturers account for the grout joint in the coverage figure.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my math not match the box coverage?
Box coverage includes the grout joint. A 12×12 tile with a 1/8 in joint covers slightly more than 1 sq ft in a grid, so a box of 10 may be labeled 10.5 sq ft. Small difference per box, real difference over a pallet.
How many boxes of tile should I keep after the job?
One full box minimum. Tile is produced in dye lots and discontinued constantly — a matching replacement for a cracked tile is nearly impossible to find later.
Can I return extra boxes?
Big-box stores usually accept unopened boxes within 90 days with a receipt. Tile shops and special orders are often final sale. Plan the return window into your schedule — do not let it lapse while waiting on the installer.
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.
- Floor Tile CalculatorTiles and boxes for any floor, by room dimensions and tile size.
- Tile Cost EstimatorTotal project cost: tile, grout, mortar, trim, and labor.
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.