Calculate your result
Quick answer
For a 20 m² floor with 10% allowance and 1.44 m² per box, buy 16 boxes supplying 23.04 m². A pattern does not set one universal waste rate. Enter the allowance agreed for your actual layout.
How it works
Use the Floor Tile Calculator South Africa to estimate tiles, full boxes and a quoted floor budget. Enter rectangular measurements or a known total area in m² or square feet, then use the exact product coverage and one chosen cutting allowance.
Formula
Net area = measured area − untiled deductions. Target coverage = net area × (1 + allowance/100). Full boxes = round up(target ÷ m² per box). Tile cost = full boxes × box price, or purchased box coverage × quoted R/m².
Assumptions and common mistakes
Check units, input values and the method before relying on an estimate. Review the existing tool notes and official sources below.
Formula
Net area = measured area − untiled deductions. Target coverage = net area × (1 + allowance/100). Full boxes = round up(target ÷ m² per box). Tile cost = full boxes × box price, or purchased box coverage × quoted R/m².
| Step | Calculation basis |
|---|---|
| Net floor | Measured area minus untiled deductions |
| Target | Net m² × one entered allowance |
| Purchase | Target ÷ labelled m²/box, rounded up |
| Tile quote | Full boxes × box price, or full-box coverage × R/m² |
| Labour | Net m² × entered labour rate |
How to use the floor tile calculator online
Choose rectangular dimensions or known total area. Select metres and m², or feet and square feet, for the floor and deductions. Add distinct non-overlapping rectangles before entering a known total; the rectangle count is only for identical areas. Deduct only areas that will stay untiled. Tile sizes remain in millimetres and labelled box coverage in m² in either mode.
Floor tile sizes and labelled box coverage
Choose labelled m² per box when available. Otherwise enter nominal tile length × width and tiles per box. A 600 × 600 mm face is 0.36 m², so four such faces represent 1.44 m². Nominal dimensions ignore grout joints and actual product tolerances. Check the exact label, shade, calibre and batch; one tile size does not establish one box count for every brand.
Floor tile calculator with pattern
Select straight, offset, diagonal, herringbone or another single-product layout to record your plan. Set one allowance for cuts, breakage and retained spares. Pattern choice does not automatically increase that value or produce a row-by-row cutting plan. Diagonals, borders, niches and small rooms can change losses. Confirm the layout and permitted offset with the installer. Mixed tile sizes or colours need separate quantities and a detailed layout.
Worked example: boxes and quoted cost
An illustrative 5 × 4 m floor is 20 m². With 10% allowance, target coverage is 22 m². At 1.44 m² per box, 16 boxes supply 23.04 m² and 64 nominal 600 × 600 mm tiles. If the example quote is R150/m², the tile purchase is R3,456. Labour quoted at R100 per net m² adds R2,000. These invented arithmetic prices are not current specials or market rates.
Compare floor tile specials and installation quotes
Enter a tile price per full box or per m² charged across the purchased full boxes. Labour uses net floor area; delivery and other materials are entered total quotes. Keep all amounts on one VAT basis and avoid entering the same charge twice. No VAT is added automatically. Compare expiry dates, stock, box coverage, batch availability, returns, preparation and minimum labour charges. A low advertised tile price is not the completed floor cost.
Kitchen, garage, vinyl and PVC floor tiles
Area arithmetic can be used for vinyl, PVC or interlocking tiles when the exact installed coverage and box contents are known. Overall interlocking dimensions may differ from useful cover. Product suitability is separate: check garage traffic and loads, kitchen use, moisture, adhesive and substrate requirements. This tool does not select a floor system or use a universal ceramic adhesive for every material.
Shower floor tile and bathroom planning
A shower needs suitable tile slip performance, drainage falls and a compatible waterproofing system with correctly detailed corners and drain connections. Tile and grout alone do not establish waterproofing. The calculator measures quantities; it does not design a walk-in shower, choose a floor fall or prove a tile safe when wet. Measure shower walls and floor separately and confirm the installation system before ordering.
Floor tile paint and grout cleaning
Use a coating explicitly approved for the exact tiled floor and intended traffic or wet exposure. A wall tile paint or ordinary concrete floor paint is not automatically suitable for a glazed tiled floor. For cleaning, identify the tile and grout, follow the compatible cleaner dilution and contact time, test a small area and rinse as directed. No-scrub results are not guaranteed, and extra shine does not prove slip safety.
CTM floor tile calculator comparisons
99tools is independent and is not the CTM calculator. You may enter coverage and quotes from CTM or another supplier. For comparisons, match net area, allowance, exact product and full-box rounding. This South African page also supports square feet, but does not supply UK pricing or live local stock.
Reviewed by the 99tools team. Editorial and corrections policy.
Related tile tools
Tile planning guides
- How to Calculate Floor and Wall Tiles in m²
- Mosaic Tile Calculator: Sheets and Boxes
- CTM, Cashbuild and Harvey: Which Tile Coverage to Use?
- How to Estimate Roof Tiles in South Africa
- Roof Tile Types, Sizes and Prices
- Roof Tile Paint, Waterproofing and Repairs
- Solar Panel Mounting on Tile Roofs
- Floor Tile Patterns, Boxes and Cost
- Floor Tiles: Preparation, Showers, Paint and Cleaning
- Roof Cost per m² in South Africa: Compare Quotes
- Roof Replacement and Thatch Conversion Costs
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate floor tiles per m²?
Divide net floor area plus one allowance by the labelled box coverage and round up to full boxes. With nominal dimensions, convert tile millimetres to metres before multiplying the tile face area.
Can I enter a known floor area or square feet?
Yes. Choose known total floor area and select m² or square feet. One square foot is 0.09290304 m². Tile dimensions stay in mm and labelled coverage stays in m².
Does selecting herringbone or diagonal add waste?
No. Pattern selection records the intended single-product layout. Enter one allowance agreed with the tiler for actual cuts and spares; the tool does not generate a cutting plan.
How much is a floor tile in South Africa?
Prices depend on the exact product, supplier, location and quote date. Enter a current price per box or per m². The tool prices whole purchased boxes and does not load live specials.
Can I estimate vinyl or interlocking garage tiles?
Yes, if the selected product has known installed coverage and box quantity. Confirm suitability, edge pieces and installation requirements separately.
Can I use any tile paint on a shower floor?
No. Confirm explicit manufacturer approval for the tiled floor, traffic and wet exposure. Wall tile paint approval does not establish shower-floor suitability.
Is this the CTM floor tile calculator?
No. 99tools is independent. Enter the exact CTM or other supplier product coverage to compare like-for-like estimates.
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Helpful guides
How to Calculate Floor and Wall Tiles in m²
Measure floors and walls, subtract untiled areas and convert a tile estimate into complete boxes.
Floor Tile Patterns, Boxes and Cost
Plan floor tile quantities, compare box and m² quotes, and allow for cuts before ordering in South Africa.
Floor Tiles: Preparation, Showers, Paint and Cleaning
Check the floor system, wet-area suitability and care instructions before laying, painting or cleaning floor tiles.