How to measure a bathroom for tile
Bathrooms are the most common but complex tiling projects because they involve multiple surfaces (floors, walls, shower surrounds) and many obstacles (doors, windows, vanities, toilets).
1. Measure the floor
Measure the length and width of the room in feet and multiply. Do not subtract for the toilet or vanity unless you are building a permanent, built-in cabinet. It's always best to tile under freestanding vanities to protect the subfloor and allow future renovations.
2. Measure the walls
Measure the perimeter of the room in feet. Multiply by the height you plan to tile. For a standard 8-foot ceiling, if you have a 25-foot perimeter and want tile wainscoting up to 4 feet, the area is 25 × 4 = 100 sq ft.
3. Subtract non-tiled areas
- Standard door: Subtract 21 sq ft.
- Standard window: Subtract 10–12 sq ft (measure to be sure).
- Tub enclosure: If tiling around a tub, don't forget to subtract the area the tub occupies on the floor and wall.
Why use 15% waste?
Bathrooms require cuts around the toilet flange, shower drain, pipes, and multiple corners. This produces more waste than tiling a large, open room. 15% is the recommended minimum for bathrooms.