Measuring a room properly is one of the most important steps before ordering tiles. Getting accurate measurements helps avoid running short on tiles and reduces unnecessary waste.

The good news is that measuring a room is usually much simpler than people expect.

What You Will Need

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A tape measure
• A calculator or phone
• A notepad for measurements

Measuring a Floor

To measure a floor, simply measure:

• The length of the room
• The width of the room

Then multiply the two numbers together.

For example:

$Area=Length\times Width$

If your room measures 4 metres by 3 metres:

4×3=12 m24 times 3 = 12,m^24×3=12m2

You would need 12 square metres of tiles before allowing for cuts and waste.

Measuring Walls

For walls, measure:

• The height
• The width

Then multiply them together to calculate the total area.

If tiling multiple walls, calculate each wall separately and then add the totals together.

Remember to Allow for Waste

It is always recommended to order extra tiles to allow for:

• Cuts
• Breakages
• Future repairs
• Pattern matching

As a general guide:

• Add around 10% extra for standard tiling layouts
• Add around 15% extra for diagonal patterns or large format tiles

Measuring Around Obstacles

If the room includes windows, doors, or fitted furniture, you can either:

• Measure the full room and slightly overestimate
or
• Subtract smaller areas if they are significant in size

Most people prefer to slightly overestimate, as having spare tiles is always useful.

Measuring Bathrooms and Wetrooms

Bathrooms can sometimes be more complicated due to:

• Shower trays
• Baths
• Sloped floors
• Niches and boxed pipework

In these cases, measuring each section separately usually gives the most accurate result.

Large Format Tiles

If you are choosing large format tiles, it is especially important to allow extra for cuts and wastage. Larger tiles often require more planning during installation.

Not Sure About Measurements?

If you are unsure, it is always better to bring your measurements or room plans into store. Photos of the space can also help when choosing the right tile sizes and quantities.

At City Tiles & Bathrooms, our team can help you calculate exactly how many tiles, adhesive, grout, and trims you may need for your project.