How Many Backsplash Tiles Do You Need?
Enter your kitchen wall dimensions and tile size — get tiles and boxes to order in seconds.
Last updated: May 30, 2026
Wall Sections
Measure in inches — 1 ft = 12 in · 8 ft → 96 · 10 ft → 120 · 12 ft → 144
Main Wall
Tile Order Summary
132
tiles to order
Boxes to Order7 boxes (20/box)
Wall Area15 sq ft
Base Tiles120 tiles
Extra for Waste+12 tiles (10%)
Setting Materials
Thinset~11 lbs
Grout~7 lbs
3" × 6" (Classic Subway) · 1 section(s) · 10% waste included
Worked Examples
Standard 10 ft Kitchen
Main counter wall: 120" wide × 18" high · 3"×6" subway tile · 10% waste
- Area: 120" × 18" = 2,160 sq in = 15 sq ft
- Tile area: 3" × 6" = 18 sq in per tile → 120 base tiles
- With 10% waste: 120 × 1.10 = 132 tiles to order
- Boxes: 132 ÷ 20 tiles/box = 7 boxes
Small Kitchen + Stove Wall
Main wall: 96" × 18" + Behind stove: 30" × 36" · 3"×6" subway · 10% waste
- Main wall: 96" × 18" = 1,728 sq in → 96 base tiles
- Stove wall: 30" × 36" = 1,080 sq in → 60 base tiles
- Total: 156 base tiles × 1.10 = 172 tiles to order
- Boxes: 172 ÷ 20 = 9 boxes
Large Kitchen — Herringbone Pattern
Main wall: 180" × 18" · 3"×6" subway tile · 15% waste (herringbone)
- Area: 180" × 18" = 3,240 sq in = 22.5 sq ft → 180 base tiles
- With 15% waste (diagonal cuts): 180 × 1.15 = 207 tiles to order
- Boxes: 207 ÷ 20 = 11 boxes
Backsplash Tile Size Guide
| Size | Tiles / sq ft | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 3"×6" Subway | 8 | Classic kitchen — most popular, easy to cut, widely available |
| 3"×9" | 5.3 | Modern elongated look — popular in new builds and renovations |
| 3"×12" | 4 | Contemporary kitchens, fewer horizontal grout lines |
| 4"×4" Square | 9 | Traditional style, straightforward to cut around outlets |
| 4"×12" | 3 | Large format — fewer grout lines to clean, sleek wall appearance |
| 4"×16" | 2.25 | Bold statement wall, requires careful layout planning |
| 6"×24" | 1 | Slab-look, near-seamless appearance, premium install |
Waste Factor Guide
| Layout / Situation | Waste | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Standard straight layout | 10% | Outlet cutouts, edge pieces at cabinet ends |
| Diagonal or herringbone | 15% | More angled cuts at every edge |
| 4+ outlets or trim breaks | 15% | Extra cutout waste adds up across many boxes |
| Multiple short sections | 15% | Each section end requires new cut tiles |
Always order a full extra box as a spare — tiles from the same dye lot can be impossible to match later for repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical 10 ft kitchen with 18" height (120" × 18" = 15 sq ft) needs about 132 classic 3"×6" subway tiles including 10% waste, or 7 boxes at 20 tiles per box. Use this calculator — enter your wall dimensions and tile size for an exact count.
Classic 3"×6" subway tile is the most popular — 8 tiles per sq ft, easy to cut, and widely available. Larger tiles (4"×12", 4"×16") mean fewer grout lines but more waste at outlets and corners. See the Tile Size Guide above.
Use 10% for a standard straight subway layout — it covers outlet cutouts and edge pieces at cabinet ends. Bump to 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns, multiple outlets, or sections with lots of corner cuts.
Measure the full rectangle of each wall section (length × height in inches) without subtracting individual outlet boxes. Most tile installers include outlet cutouts inside the waste percentage rather than measuring each box separately. For kitchens with 4+ outlets, use at least 15% waste.
Tile materials run $2–5/sq ft for ceramic subway, $7–15/sq ft for glass, and $10–30/sq ft for natural stone. A typical 15 sq ft backsplash costs $30–200 in materials. Professional installation adds $10–25/sq ft. Enable cost estimate in Advanced settings to include material cost in your order.
The 1/3 rule means each row of tile is offset by one-third of the tile's length instead of the standard half-brick 50% offset. It creates a more contemporary look — common with 3"×6" and 3"×12" subway tiles. It does generate slightly more end cuts, so add an extra 2–3% to your waste allowance.