First-time DIY installer
See opposing edge cuts before snapping lines.
Enter measured room/tile/joint dimensions and review centered cuts against a chosen threshold.
Dry-lays the plan and uses a separate material calculator for purchasing.
Tile Layout Planner
Draw a centered straight-grid tile field, reconcile full and cut positions, preserve original inch/cm measurements, and save a sourced layout record.
Use this result well
- Inputs that matter
- Dated source, net rectangular tile-field spans, actual tile size, explicit interior joint and user-selected review threshold; inches or centimeters
- Output to expect
- Proportional centered grid, full-size/cut positions with corners counted once, opposing edges, complete record and explicit Project save
- How it works
- Original entered measurements and units are retained; calculations use inches and display conversions never round the stored measurements
- Grid positions are not full tiles to buy and no waste, offset, diagonal, obstacle, or offcut-reuse model is implied.
- Measure at multiple points, dry-lay actual tile, and follow product/substrate/movement-joint instructions.
Choose your path
Built around the job you need to finish
Draw and reconcile a sourced net rectangular tile field, preserve original measurements across units, and explicitly save full-size/cut positions without treating them as a purchase order.
Metric renovator
Switch units without changing the physical layout.
Toggle inches/centimeters and inspect converted room, tile, and grout values.
Grid count and physical result remain stable.
Installer and Project reviewer
Keep a traceable layout record without overwriting a different cutting or procurement scenario.
Inspect original measurements and scope, download the record, explicitly save to Tile Project and reload the source-owned fields.
Distinguishes grid positions from source-tile quantities and does not infer offset, diagonal, obstacle or movement-joint approval.
Authoritative checks for this tool
Outputs and checklists are planning aids. Review the linked current authorities and the records, terms, instructions, and requirements that apply to your exact situation before a consequential decision.
- Dry layout and centerline reviewTile Council of North America · Dry-lay actual tiles and review centerlines, joint width and small cuts. A centered numerical reference is not an approved setting line or waste optimum.
- Site-specific movement provisionsTile Council of North America · Movement-joint location and frequency require site-specific review. Enter the net rectangular tiled field after separately determining perimeter provisions; the diagram does not design those joints.
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Projects using Tile Layout Planner
This tool is part of these guided projects. Each project provides step-by-step instructions with checklists and all the tools you need in one place.
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Reference & details
How it works
Updated August 2026
How it works
Updated August 2026Net-field geometry
Enter the tiled span after separately reviewing perimeter provisions. Along each axis, count the minimum positions including interior joints and share excess coverage equally between opposing edge pieces. A one-position field is one piece, not two cuts to count.
Positions = ceil((net span + joint) ÷ (tile + joint))Full-size versus cut positions
A position is full-size only when neither axis needs trimming. Multiply full-size columns by full-size rows; subtract from all positions to count positions needing at least one cut. Corners are counted once, not once per cut direction.
Preserved measurement record
Each dimension retains its original text and entered unit. Display toggles do not repeatedly round measurements. Reports include raw inputs, canonical inch dimensions, results and scope. Above 400 positions the diagram is omitted explicitly while exact counts remain.
Updated: August 2026
Example Scenarios
Actual 12 by 12 inch tiles with a 0.125 inch interior joint; review threshold 30%.
Net field: 96 × 120 inActual tile: 12 × 12 inJoint: 0.125 in
→ 8 columns × 10 rows = 80 positions: 48 full-size and 32 cut positions. Opposing width edges are 11.5625 in; length edges 11.4375 in.
The same dimensions with an explicitly entered zero joint. This is a mathematical boundary case, not installation guidance.
Net field: 96 × 120 inActual tile: 12 × 12 inJoint: 0 in
→ 80 full-size positions and zero cut positions. A blank joint is rejected rather than treated as zero.
A small 5 by 7 inch net field cut from one 12 by 12 inch tile.
Net field: 5 × 7 inActual tile: 12 × 12 inJoint: 0.125 in
→ 1 position, 0 full-size and 1 cut position; the 5 by 7 inch piece touches all four field edges. No duplicate corner counting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Treating a wall-to-wall span as the tiled field
Review perimeter and movement provisions separately and enter the resulting net rectangle. Split irregular regions; the planner does not design joints or obstacles.
Calling grid positions a purchase order
Positions describe installed pieces. Review actual cutting yield, reusable offcuts, spares, stock and packages in the separate cut/order records before procurement.
Assuming a centered line or threshold is approval
Use the result as a dry-layout reference. Focal points, transitions, actual tile variation and the selected assembly may require another layout.
FAQ
No. It computes one centered straight grid, not an offset sweep, waste optimum, diagonal pattern or approved installation line. Verify the actual dry layout.
A grid position whose piece is shorter than the actual tile along at least one axis. A corner needing two cuts is still one position. This does not count saw operations or source tiles to buy.
The display changes between inches and centimeters. Original measurement text and its entered unit remain unchanged, so repeated toggles do not accumulate rounding. Editing a converted field records that new entry in its current unit.
Yes, explicitly save the valid current record. It includes source, canonical inch dimensions, columns/rows, full/cut counts, edges and scope. Saving does not update other tools or completeinstallation checks.
No. Zero is supported only as an explicit arithmetic case. Select joint and movement provisions from the project-specific design and product instructions; a blank joint is invalid.
About Tile Layout Planner
Review one measured net rectangular tile field with actual tile size and an explicit interior joint. Inspect the proportional diagram and original measurements, then save or download a source-bearing record. This is not a purchase quantity or approved setting line.