How many tiles do I need for a bathroom?

A small bathroom can eat more tiles than you'd think, especially around drains, pipes and underfloor heating. Here's how to keep it simple.

Quick answer

For 30 × 30 cm tiles you'll need 11.1 tiles per m² of floor or wall. Add 10 % for waste – on a typical 5–8 m² bathroom that's 60–100 tiles in total.

How that works out

Tiles per m² = 1 ÷ (tile area in m²). 30 × 30 cm = 0.09 m², so 11.1 tiles per m².

For a bathroom, count floor and wall – and usually 200–240 cm of wall height in the shower zone.

10 % waste is standard. For diagonal or staggered layouts, plan for 15 %.

Example: 6 m² floor + 8 m² walls

A bathroom with 6 m² of floor and 8 m² of wall is 14 m² total. With 30 × 30 cm tiles that's 156 tiles. Add 10 % waste and you're at 172. At 11 tiles per box, you need 16 boxes.

Common mistakes

Buying exactly the calculated amount and going back later for a different batch – the shade can shift.
Forgetting walls behind the toilet and under the basin – easy to underestimate.
Not keeping a spare box for when a tile cracks years later.
Counting the grout joint as 0 mm – it's usually 2–3 mm per tile and changes the count.

Get tile and box counts

Enter your floor and wall area, pick a tile size and see the exact box count – with recommended waste.

Open the tile calculator→ Opens tile calculator

Frequently asked questions

Do I tile all the way to the ceiling?

Common up to 200 cm or full height in the shower zone. The rest can be painted to save money.

How much waste for large 60 × 60 cm tiles?

10–12 % on a normal floor. Big tiles mean fewer joints but more cuts around drains and pipes.

Can I use the same tiles on walls and floor?

Floor tiles need to be slip-resistant (R10/R11). Wall tiles can be smoother and thinner.

Can I use floor tiles on walls?

Yes, if the wall can carry the weight. Check that adhesive and substrate suit the total load.

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