How Much Extra Tile Should You Buy?
Order about 10% extra for a straight tile layout, 15% for diagonal layouts, rooms with many corners or large-format tile, and 20% for herringbone and other complex patterns.
Waste allowance by layout
| Layout | Extra to buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight / grid | 10% | Cuts at walls and around fixtures |
| Brick / offset | 10–15% | Offsets create more end cuts |
| Diagonal | 15% | Every edge tile is cut at an angle |
| Herringbone / chevron | 20% | Many small angled cuts |
| Large format (24 in+) | 15% | Each broken or miscut tile wastes more area |
Why extra tile matters
Tiles from different production runs can differ slightly in shade and size. Buying extra from the same lot means you can finish the job — and replace a cracked tile years later — with a perfect match. Check that every box shows the same lot or batch number.
Example: 100 sq ft bathroom floor
| Tile size | Tiles with 10% | Tiles with 15% |
|---|---|---|
| 12×12 in | 110 | 115 |
| 12×24 in | 55 | 58 |
| 24×24 in | 28 | 29 |
Use the tile calculator with your exact area, tile size and layout.