How to Figure Out How Many Tiles You Need

Working out how many tiles to buy can feel a bit stressful the first time. You don’t want to under-order and get stuck halfway through, but you also don’t want ten boxes left over at the end. The good news is a tape measure, and a calculator will do the job.

Lifestyle 2 Bao Elegant 1500mm Back to Corner Bath - Matte White - Left Hand Corner BAO200215LM - The Blue Space

Step 1: Measure the floor

If the room is a simple rectangle or square:

Measure the length
Measure the width
Multiply them together

So, a room 5m long and 4m wide = 20sqm. Easy.

If the room is shaped differently (like an L or has a nook), just break it into smaller rectangles, measure those and add them all up.

Step 3: Add some extra (wastage)

Tiles aren’t like paint, you can’t use up every last bit. You’ll cut some, break some, and sometimes need extra to match a pattern. The safe bet is to add 15% more. If you’re laying something tricky like herringbone, bump that up to 20%.

Example: Room is 20sqm. Add 15% → 20 × 1.15 = 23sqm needed.

By Elise Pride

eCommerce Manager

05 November 2025

Elise is a design-focused content creator at The Blue Space, offering practical renovation advice and trend-led insights to help customers style their dream spaces with confidence.