Enter Dimensions
Input your room width and length, tile size, and grout line width. Choose from common tile presets or enter custom dimensions.
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A tile layout calculator determines symmetrical tile placement so both edges of a room have equal, non-sliver cuts. Enter room dimensions, tile size, and grout width to see exactly where to snap your center chalk line, how many full tiles you need, and how many boxes to buy.
Room & Tile Specs
Layout Results
?? Boxes to Buy
Full Tiles
Cut Tiles
Total Tiles
Edge Cut (W)
Edge Cut (L)
Total Area
Est. Cost
?? Center Chalk Line Guide
Enter your specs to get your chalk line position.
Tile Layout Preview
Enter your specs and hit Plan to see the layout.
How It Works
Symmetrical Layout
Our algorithm centers tiles to guarantee equal edge cuts on both sides no thin slivers that crack or look unfinished.
Chalk Line Guide
Get exact measurements for where to snap your center lines on the floor. Start your first tile at the intersection.
Box Calculator
Know exactly how many boxes to buy with a configurable waste buffer, so you never run short or overbuy.
Tiling Efficiency Gear
A symmetrical layout is useless if your grout lines drift as you work. We highly recommend using a premium tile leveling system with reusable wedges to eliminate lippage and keep every joint perfectly consistent. For snapping your center reference lines, discard the cheap chalk that blows away; invest in a high-visibility laser square that projects your 90-degree reference axes directly onto the thinset without washing out.
Why is Symmetrical Tile Layout Important?
The biggest mistake amateur DIYers make is starting with a full tile in the corner of a room. This often results in a full tile on one wall and an ugly, impossible-to-cut 1-inch sliver on the opposite wall, destroying the visual balance of the room. A professional, symmetrical tile layout ensures that the perimeter cuts on opposite walls are exactly equal. TileTally uses a centering algorithm that calculates two options: starting the center of a tile on the room's centerline, or placing a grout joint on the centerline. The calculator automatically selects the option that produces the widest perimeter cut, actively preventing thin slivers. By providing the exact distance from the wall to snap your center chalk line, TileTally guarantees a perfectly balanced, professional-looking floor or backsplash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sliver cut in tile layout and how do you avoid it?
A sliver cut is an edge tile narrower than about 1/3 of a full tile width — they look unprofessional, break easily during cutting, and are nearly impossible to set straight in thinset. To avoid them, shift your starting chalk line by half a tile width so both edges get wider, more balanced cuts.
Should I start tiling from the center or corner of a room?
Center-out layout produces symmetrical edge cuts on both sides of the room — the professional standard for floors and feature walls. Corner-start layout uses full tiles along one wall and puts all cuts at the opposite end, which works for closets and hidden areas where symmetry is less visible.
How many extra tiles should I buy for waste?
For straight layouts, add 10% for cuts and breakage. For diagonal (45°) layouts, add 15%. For large-format tiles (24" and above) or complex patterns, add 15-20%. If you have a lot of doorways, corners, or toilet flanges, lean toward the higher end.
What grout line width should I use?
For rectified (precision-cut) tiles, 1/16" to 1/8" grout lines are standard and look modern. For non-rectified natural stone or handmade tiles, use 3/16" to 1/4" to accommodate size variation. Never go below 1/16" — grout needs room to compress and flex.