Tile Installation Cost Calculator
Installed cost for ceramic or porcelain tile on a prepared floor or wall. Natural stone, mosaics and large-format tile cost more to set. Demolition, levelling and waterproofing are extra.
Order 130 tiles — tile is boxed by the square foot (10–15 ft² per box); buy an extra box for future repairs.
- Area
- 120 ft²
- Unit 12×12″ + 0.125″ joint
- 0.98 per ft²
- Net tiles
- 118
- Waste / cuts 10%
- + 12
- Tiles to buy
- 130
- Thinset mortar, 50 lb
- 2 bags
- Grout, 25 lb
- 2 bags
Quantities follow the ticket. Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you; they never change a number.
Get 3 quotes for this tile job
The estimate above is a national range. A local drywall & interior contractor who sees your site can give you a firm price, and comparing 3 bids is the single biggest lever on what you pay. Tell us where the job is and we will match you with up to 3 contractors who serve your ZIP.
- Your quantities and this estimate go with the request, so you are not starting over.
- No account, no app. Contractors call or text you directly.
- One request. We do not resell your details beyond the matched contractors.
How to calculate tile by hand
Tiles = Area (ft²) ÷ [(L + joint) × (W + joint) ÷ 144] × (1 + waste)
Worked example
- Area: 10 ft × 8 ft = 80 ft².
- A 12 × 12″ tile with ⅛″ joints occupies 12.125² ÷ 144 = 1.02 ft² → 0.98 per ft².
- Net: 80 × 0.98 = 78.4 tiles; with 10% for cuts, 86.2 → 87 — about 8 boxes of 11.
- Also: thinset 80 ÷ 60 = 2 × 50 lb bags; grout 1 × 25 lb bag.
- 12 × 12″ tiles per ft²
- ≈ 1.0
- 12 × 24″ tiles per ft²
- ≈ 0.5
- 3 × 6″ subway per ft²
- ≈ 7.5
- Thinset, ¼″ square notch
- ≈ 60–80 ft² per 50 lb
How we price this
The low, typical and high columns are the 20th, 50th and 80th percentile of published us national averages for ceramic / porcelain tile, delivery and labor. They are estimates for budgeting, not quotes — enter your own supplier and crew prices above to replace them. Ranges are re-checked monthly; see the methodology page for how every number on this site is derived.
- HomeAdvisor cost guides — tile installation $/ft² by tile type
- Home Depot / Lowe’s tile pricing — per-ft² tile, thinset and grout prices
Questions crews ask
How much does tile installation cost per square foot?
$7–$20 per ft² installed for ceramic or porcelain — $850–$2,400 for a 12 × 10 ft floor — of which the tile is $1.50–$6 and the setter $5–$15. Natural stone and mosaics run $15–$35 per ft² installed.
How much do tile setters charge?
$5–$15 per square foot for floors and walls, $10–$25 for showers and backsplashes where the pieces are small and every edge is cut. Day rates run $400–$700.
What adds to tiling cost?
Tearing out old tile ($2–$4 per ft²), a self-levelling underlayment or backer board ($2–$5), waterproofing membranes in showers, diagonal or herringbone patterns, and small tile or mosaics.