How to Measure for a Hopscotch Tile Pattern

A hopscotch tile pattern, also known as a step pattern, is made up of two sizes of tile with the smaller tile "stepping off" of the larger. Any two sizes of tile can be used, although, most often, the hopscotch pattern includes a small tile half the size of the larger tile--for example, 6-inch tiles used with 12-inch tiles.

Regardless of the size of tiles used in this pattern, you need to measure the total amount of square footage, break that down into the percentage of each tile used, and then find out how many pieces make up a square foot of each tile.

Measure the length and width of the area to be tiled in inches. If the area has bump outs or angles, separate the room into sections, making each section as square as possible and measure the length and width of each section in inches.

Multiply the length and width of each area to be tiled together, and divide this number 144 to find the total amount of square feet needed to cover the area. Add 10 percent to this number to account for the waste needed to complete the pattern.

Subtract 20 percent from the total amount of square footage needed, including waste. This will give you the amount of square footage needed for the large tile in the pattern. The hopscotch pattern consists of 80 percent large tiles and 20 percent small tiles. Subtract the square footage needed for large tiles from the total square footage to find the amount of square footage needed for small tiles.

Determine how many tiles of each size you'll need based on the size of the tiles. One square foot of 12-inch tile is one tile. One square foot of 6-inch tile is four tiles. One square foot of 2-inch tile is 36 tiles. To cover a 100 square-foot room with 12-inch and 6-inch tiles, you will need 80 square feet of 12-inch tiles and 20 square feet of 6-inch tiles, or 80 12-inch tiles and 80 6-inch tiles.