Estimate tile for a kitchen or bath backsplash. Enter the wall size and tile size to get the square footage and tile count to buy, with a waste allowance.
Backsplash to Buy
— sq ft
Field area plus waste allowance.Usage Tip
Order a little extra from the same lot and keep it for future repairs — matching tile later is hard. Mosaic sheets cover faster than individual small tiles.
THE MATH
Area = Length (ft) × Height (ft)
Tiles = Area × 144 ÷ (Tile W × Tile H)
Buy = round up of Area and Tiles × (1 + waste%)
Tiles = Area × 144 ÷ (Tile W × Tile H)
Buy = round up of Area and Tiles × (1 + waste%)
A standard backsplash field is about 18″ tall, from the countertop to the upper cabinets. Tile is sold by the square foot or by the piece — this gives both.
Cuts around outlets, windows, and the range come out of the tile you buy, so they do not reduce the quantity; the waste allowance covers breakage and cuts.
Use about 10% waste for a straight grid and closer to 15% for diagonal, herringbone, or mosaic-sheet layouts.
Buy all tile from the same lot so color and size match across the wall.
Use about 10% waste for a straight grid and closer to 15% for diagonal, herringbone, or mosaic-sheet layouts.
Buy all tile from the same lot so color and size match across the wall.