Tile Cost Calculator
Project & prices
Removing old tile typically runs $2–$5 per sq ft.
Estimated total project cost
$1,812.00
- Tile (132 sq ft incl. waste)
- $528.00
- Thinset & grout
- $144.00
- Backer board / prep
- $180.00
- Trim
- $0.00
- Labor @ $8.00/sq ft
- $960.00
- Demolition
- $0.00
- Cost per sq ft
- $15.10
Estimates for budgeting only. Get at least three local quotes before committing.
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Tile installation cost per square foot (2026)
| Tile type | Tile only | Pro labor | Installed total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $1–$4 | $6–$10 | $7–$14 |
| Porcelain | $3–$8 | $7–$12 | $10–$20 |
| Large format porcelain | $4–$10 | $10–$16 | $14–$26 |
| Natural stone (marble, travertine) | $6–$20 | $10–$18 | $16–$38 |
| Glass mosaic | $8–$25 | $14–$22 | $22–$47 |
| Luxury vinyl tile | $2–$6 | $3–$7 | $5–$13 |
US averages for 2026, per square foot. Add $2–$5 per sq ft for demolition and $1–$3 for backer board or membrane.
Typical project cost by room
| Project | Area | DIY cost | Pro installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $150–$400 | $600–$1,200 |
| Small bathroom floor | 40 sq ft | $200–$450 | $700–$1,400 |
| Tub surround | 60 sq ft | $350–$800 | $1,400–$2,600 |
| Walk-in shower | 100 sq ft | $700–$1,600 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Kitchen floor | 180 sq ft | $800–$1,800 | $2,400–$4,500 |
| Open-plan main floor | 600 sq ft | $2,600–$6,000 | $8,000–$15,000 |
Pro figures include labor, setting materials and standard prep, but not demolition.
Tools the pros use for this job
Cement Backer Board
Hard-to-Find Fastener Phillips Self-Piercing Cement Board Screws, Durable Steel Hardware Fasteners for Home Improvement, DIY, Construction, 8 x 1-1/4, Pack of 168
$11.11
Check price on AmazonThe standard substrate for wet areas and most floors.
Self-Leveling Underlayment
Hard-to-Find Fastener Phillips Self-Piercing Cement Board Screws, Durable Steel Hardware Fasteners for Home Improvement, DIY, Construction, 8 x 1-1/4, Pack of 168
$11.11
Check price on AmazonFlatten the floor first — it is cheaper than cracked tile later.
Tile Tool Kit
DIY labor is where the savings are; the kit pays for itself on job one.
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Prices as of Oct 10, 2026, 6:33 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hiring it out? Compare with typical tile installation cost.
Prices vary by region; see tile cost by location.
Do this math on the job site — in the free app
Smart Tile Calculator for Android: offline, in your pocket, free.
How this calculator works
Typical 2026 US ranges, per square foot:
- Ceramic tile: $1–$4 · Porcelain: $3–$8 · Natural stone: $6–$20
- Setting materials (thinset + grout): about $1.20
- Backer board or membrane: $1–$3
- Labor: $6–$14 for floors, $10–$20 for showers and backsplashes
Demolition of old tile typically runs $2–$5 per square foot, and mud-set tile over wire lath costs more to remove than tile over backer board.
Doing your own labor on a 120 sq ft floor commonly saves $1,000–$1,700 — the main reasons to hire a pro are showers, large-format tile, and floors that need real flattening work.
Where the estimate goes wrong: the waste factor. Ordering exactly your square footage guarantees a second trip and a dye-lot mismatch. A straight grid layout needs 10%, a diagonal 15%, and herringbone 20% — the tile waste factor guide shows why, and the tiles per square foot chart converts your total into whole boxes so you are not paying for a partial box you cannot buy. If you are pricing one room rather than a whole house, the cost to tile a bathroom breakdown uses the same rates against a real floor plan.
Get three quotes and compare the line items, not the totals. A bid that looks $800 high often includes demolition, floor levelling and waterproofing that the cheap bid leaves for you to discover on day two.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to tile a 12x12 room?
About 144 sq ft. With mid-range porcelain at $5 per sq ft and pro labor at $9 per sq ft, expect roughly $2,300–$2,800 installed, or $1,000–$1,300 as a DIY job.
Is tile cheaper than luxury vinyl plank?
Materials are comparable, but tile labor costs more because of substrate prep and cutting. Tile lasts far longer in wet areas, which is where the extra cost pays back.
What raises tile labor costs the most?
Small rooms, herringbone or diagonal patterns, mosaic sheets, large-format tile needing lippage control, and any wet area requiring waterproofing.
How much should I budget per square foot, all in?
For a straightforward DIY ceramic floor, $4–$8 per square foot covers tile and materials. A pro-installed porcelain floor runs $12–$20 per square foot, and a tiled shower with waterproofing runs $25–$50 per square foot.
Does the calculator include demolition and floor prep?
Yes. Enter demolition as a lump sum and prep as a per-square-foot rate. Budget $2–$5 per square foot for tear-out and $1–$3 for backer board, membrane or self-levelling underlayment.
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.
- Grout CalculatorPounds of grout by tile size, joint width, and thickness.
- Thinset & Mortar CalculatorBags of thinset by trowel notch size and coverage.
Guides worth reading next
- Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile: Which Should You Actually Buy?Density, water absorption, PEI ratings, price per square foot, and the rooms where each material genuinely makes sense — without the showroom spin.
- 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.