Tile Size Comparison Calculator
Compare two tile sizes by number of tiles, grout needed, material cost and labour for the same floor or wall area.
Large Tiles Or Small Tiles: Which Costs Less?
Enter your area, waste allowance and the dimensions, price and joint width for each tile size. The calculator compares tiles, grout and total installed cost.
Tile Size Comparison Estimator
Larger tiles need less grout and fewer joints but may cost more to buy and fit.
Understanding Tile Costs
Key concepts for tile projects
Tile Count
Tiles = area × (1 + waste) ÷ tile area. Smaller tiles mean far more pieces to fit.
Joint Length
Joint length per m² grows as tiles get smaller, increasing grout use and cleaning.
Grout Volume
Grout ≈ joint length × joint width × tile thickness, plus an allowance for wastage.
Labour
Large-format tiles can cost more per m² to lay but are quicker per m² for some jobs, so check your quote.
Common Tile Sizes
Typical tile sizes and joint lines per square metre.
| Tile Size | Tiles per m² | Joint Length per m² | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 cm | ~99 | ~19 m | Mosaics, splashbacks |
| 20 x 20 cm | ~25 | ~10 m | Small bathrooms |
| 30 x 30 cm | ~11 | ~6.5 m | Floors, general use |
| 60 x 60 cm | ~2.8 | ~3.3 m | Living areas |
| 60 x 120 cm | ~1.4 | ~2.5 m | Large-format floors |
| Rule of Thumb | Bigger = fewer joints | Check substrate flatness | Order spares |
Tile Size Calculator FAQ
Answers to common questions about this calculator.
Not always. They need fewer joints and less grout, but may cost more per m² and require flatter surfaces and more skilled fitting.
It depends on joint width, tile size and thickness. This calculator gives an estimate with a 10% allowance.
Typically 10% for straight lays and 15% for diagonal or large-format tiles.
Often yes, because fewer grout lines create a more continuous surface.