How to Calculate Acoustical Tile

Measure the room's length and width. To achieve a professional-looking ceiling, all partial tiles should be installed around the room's perimeter, with the grid positioned to allow for the largest partial tiles possible.

Divide the room's length by the acoustical tile's length. For example, an 11-foot room divided by a 2-foot tile leaves you with a 1-foot gap at the end of the room. Add the tile's length (24 inches) to the gap's length (12 inches) and divide by two to determine the best way to fill the gap: 18-inch tiles on either end of the room.

Divide the room's width by the acoustical tile's width. If you are left with a gap, repeat the calculations in Step 2 to determine the best way to fill the gap.

Draw a scaled-down version of the room on a piece of graph paper. For example, a 12-by-8 foot room becomes 12-by-8 inches on a piece of paper. Mark out the room's perimeter tiles on the drawing. Fill in the area inside the perimeter with full tiles. Count the number of grid spaces to determine the number of acoustical tiles you need.