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Area of the surface to be covered
Length times width, with both measurements in one consistent unit. Subtract permanent obstructions only if they will never be tiled behind.
The Formula
A = L x W
Length times width, with both measurements in one consistent unit. Subtract permanent obstructions only if they will never be tiled behind.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | Room length | length | One side of the floor or wall, in metres. It is 4 in the worked example. |
| W | Room width | length | The perpendicular side, in the same unit. It is 3 in the worked example. |
| A | Area to be covered | square units | 4 x 3 = 12 square metres for the worked room. |
What Each Symbol Means
Llength
Room length
One side of the floor or wall, in metres. It is 4 in the worked example.
Wlength
Room width
The perpendicular side, in the same unit. It is 3 in the worked example.
Asquare units
Area to be covered
4 x 3 = 12 square metres for the worked room.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate tile count page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Tile Count, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.