Porcelain, ceramic and stone tile, counted to the carton.

From the layout, by the carton, with overage for cuts and breakage. The cartons are delivered together so the whole job comes from one dye lot.

Tile is fired in batches, and two batches of the same colour rarely match exactly. Order the whole job at once; a second order months later can look like a different tile next to the first.

Porcelain is denser and takes floors, showers and wet rooms. Wall-rated ceramic is lighter and cheaper and fine on a wall or a tub surround, but it won't take a floor. Each tile's page says where it's rated for.

Matte finishes and small mosaics grip better than polished tile. Keep polished tile for walls, and use matte or a mosaic anywhere that gets wet underfoot.