Backsplash Tile Calculator
Enter the total length of counter with backsplash and the height from counter to upper cabinets (usually 18″). Subway tile in a running bond cuts a lot at the ends — 15% is the safe waste figure.
Order 161 tiles — tile is boxed by the square foot (10–15 ft² per box); buy an extra box for future repairs.
- Area
- 18 ft²
- Unit 3×6″ + 0.063″ joint
- 7.76 per ft²
- Net tiles
- 140
- Waste / cuts 15%
- + 21
- Tiles to buy
- 161
- Thinset mortar, 50 lb
- 1 bags
- Grout, 25 lb
- 1 bags
- Materials + delivery$1.50–$6 / ft² · Sep 2026
- $27 – $108
- Installed (with labor)typ. $198
- $117 – $378
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What will this tile job cost?
See the installed price range for these quantities and get up to 3 quotes from local contractors. Free, no obligation.
How to calculate tile by hand
Tiles = Area (ft²) ÷ [(L + joint) × (W + joint) ÷ 144] × (1 + waste)
Worked example
- Area: 10 ft × 8 ft = 80 ft².
- A 12 × 12″ tile with ⅛″ joints occupies 12.125² ÷ 144 = 1.02 ft² → 0.98 per ft².
- Net: 80 × 0.98 = 78.4 tiles; with 10% for cuts, 86.2 → 87 — about 8 boxes of 11.
- Also: thinset 80 ÷ 60 = 2 × 50 lb bags; grout 1 × 25 lb bag.
- 12 × 12″ tiles per ft²
- ≈ 1.0
- 12 × 24″ tiles per ft²
- ≈ 0.5
- 3 × 6″ subway per ft²
- ≈ 7.5
- Thinset, ¼″ square notch
- ≈ 60–80 ft² per 50 lb
Questions crews ask
How many subway tiles for a backsplash?
A 3 × 6″ tile with 1/16″ joints is about 7.5 per square foot. A 12 ft run 18″ high is 18 ft² → 135 tiles, about 155 with 15% for cuts. Boxes usually hold 8–10 ft², so buy two or three.
How tall is a standard backsplash?
18″ between the counter and the bottom of the upper cabinets is standard; 20″ in newer kitchens. Behind a range without a hood cabinet, tile runs 30–36″ to the hood. Enter the actual height you measure.
What thinset for a backsplash?
Premixed mastic is fine for ceramic subway tile on painted drywall in a dry kitchen. Use a modified thinset for glass, natural stone or anything behind a range. A 3/16″ V-notch trowel covers 90–100 ft² per 50 lb bag.