How Much Tile for a Kitchen Backsplash?
A typical backsplash: 7 boxes of subway tile. Small area, but the most cut-heavy job in the kitchen.
A 30 square foot backsplash in 3×6 subway tile needs 7 boxes of tile, 1 bag of thinset and 1 bag of grout. Subway tile is sold in boxes covering about 5 square feet, which is why the box count looks high for such a small area.
Estimates only. Textured walls, high ceilings, sprayers and major colour changes can all increase the amount you need. Always buy slightly more than the calculation suggests.
Backsplash tile by kitchen size
| Area | Surface | Tile size | Tiles | Boxes | Tile cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small kitchen, 20 sq ft, 3x6 subway | 20 sq ft | 3" × 6" | 176 | 5 boxes | $140 |
| Standard kitchen, 30 sq ft, 3x6 subway | 30 sq ft | 3" × 6" | 264 | 7 boxes | $196 |
| Large kitchen, 45 sq ft, 3x6 subway | 45 sq ft | 3" × 6" | 396 | 10 boxes | $280 |
| Standard kitchen, 4x4 tile | 30 sq ft | 4" × 4" | 297 | 15 boxes | $420 |
| Standard kitchen, 12x12 tile | 30 sq ft | 12" × 12" | 33 | 4 boxes | $112 |
| Standard kitchen, up to the ceiling, 50 sq ft | 50 sq ft | 3" × 6" | 440 | 11 boxes | $308 |
10 % waste for a standard backsplash. Add more if you are tiling around many outlets or up to the underside of cabinets.
How to measure a backsplash
A backsplash is a strip, so measure length and height rather than area:
- Measure the total length of countertop against a wall. Include the run behind the stove and any island with a raised bar.
- Multiply by the height you are tiling. The standard is 18 inches from the countertop to the underside of the upper cabinets.
- Add the area behind the range hood, which usually goes higher, and any window returns.
- Subtract nothing for outlets. They get cut around, and the offcuts are small.
Worked example: 20 feet of countertop at 18 inches high is 20 × 1.5 = 30 square feet.
Why the box count surprises people
A 3×6 subway tile is 18 square inches, which is one eighth of a square foot. You need eight tiles for every square foot — 264 tiles for a standard backsplash.
Subway tile is sold by the box, and most boxes cover about 5 square feet. That is why the answer is 7 boxes for a surface you could cover with a single sheet of plywood.
Compare that with 12×12 tile over the same area: 30 tiles, 3 boxes. Same wall, a quarter of the boxes.
The cuts are what cost you time
A backsplash has more cuts per square foot than any other tiling job in a house. Outlets, switches, the underside of cabinets, the range hood, window reveals and the ends of the run all need cutting.
Practical points that save real time:
- Use a wet saw with a fine blade. Subway tile chips easily and a snap cutter leaves rough edges on glazed ceramic.
- Plan the outlet positions first. Cuts around them should be centred on a grout line so the cut edges are hidden.
- Buy the 10 % waste. On a backsplash, cuts are most of the job, and broken tiles on a small job hurt proportionally more.
Frequently asked questions
How much tile do I need for a backsplash?
A standard 30 sq ft backsplash in 3x6 subway tile needs 264 tiles with 10 % waste, which is 7 boxes at 40 tiles per box, plus a bag each of adhesive and grout.
How high should a kitchen backsplash be?
The standard is 18 inches from countertop to the underside of the upper cabinets. Tiling to the ceiling or to the bottom of the hood increases the area.
How many square feet is a typical backsplash?
A standard kitchen with 20 feet of countertop tiled 18 inches high is about 30 square feet.
Do I subtract for outlets in a backsplash?
No. Outlets are cut around, not deducted, and the offcuts are too small to reuse. Leave them in your measurement.