Tile Calculator South Africa
Enter room dimensions and tile size — get number of tiles, adhesive bags and grout. Straight and diagonal patterns.
Room dimensions
Materials needed
20.0 m² · 600 × 600 mm tiles · 10% wastageTiles to buy
62
incl. wastage
Tile adhesive
5 bags
20 kg bags
Grout
7 kg
2 mm joint
How this is calculated
Area = length × width. Diagonal patterns waste more due to cuts at edges. Tile adhesive: 1 × 20 kg bag per ~5 m² (standard floor tile adhesive). Grout: ~0.35 kg/m² for a 2 mm joint. Always buy extra tiles for future repairs.
Common questions
How many tiles do I need for a 20 m² room?
For a 20 m² room with 600×600 mm tiles laid straight, you need approximately 56 tiles (20 m² ÷ 0.36 m² per tile = 55.6, rounded up, plus 10% wastage = ~62 tiles). The exact number depends on tile size and laying pattern — use the calculator above for your specific dimensions.
Why do I need extra tiles for a diagonal pattern?
Diagonal (45°) patterns create more cuts at the perimeter and corners, increasing waste. A 10% wastage allowance is standard for straight patterns; 15% is recommended for diagonal. Irregular rooms or small tiles also need more wastage.
How many bags of tile adhesive do I need?
Standard floor tile adhesive covers approximately 5 m² per 20 kg bag. The calculator estimates adhesive based on your floor area. Wall tiles typically need less adhesive (thinner bed), so reduce by 20% if tiling walls.
Should I buy extra tiles?
Always buy at least 10–15% extra and keep a few spare tiles after the job. Tile batches vary in shade and texture (different batch numbers). If you need to replace a broken tile years later, an exact match may not be available.
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