Tile Backsplash Calculator

How many tiles (and boxes) to buy for a kitchen or bath backsplash from wall size, tile face, and waste.

Backsplash takeoff

Wall width (ft) i Width Horizontal span of the backsplash field. For L-shaped runs, add each leg or run the calculator twice.
Wall height (ft) i Height Counter to cabinet or full splash height. 18 in is 1.5 ft.
Tile width (in) i Tile width Face width in inches, not including grout if you want a tight count — this tool ignores grout for simplicity.
Tile height (in) i Tile height Face height in inches. Subway 3×6 is a common default.
Waste (%) i Waste Cuts, breakage, and pattern matching. 10% is typical; diagonals and mosaics need more.
Tiles per box (optional) i Box size From the carton label. Leave 0 to skip box math.

Wall area ÷ tile face area gives net tiles. Waste scales that count up; boxes are ceil(order ÷ tiles per box).

Common DIY assumptions.

Buy extra from the same lot — future dye lots rarely match.

Wall sq ft = W × H. Tile sq ft = (tile W × tile H) ÷ 144. Net tiles = wall ÷ tile. Order = ceil(net × (1 + waste%)). Boxes = ceil(order ÷ box size).

A 10×1.5 ft splash (15 sq ft) with 3×6 in subway tiles (~0.125 sq ft each) needs 120 net tiles → 132 with 10% waste → 3 boxes at 44/box.

Should I subtract outlets?

For a precise count, yes. Leaving them in and keeping 10% waste is usually enough for a small splash.

Sheet-mounted mosaic?

Enter the sheet face size as the “tile,” or convert sheet coverage to an equivalent piece count.

Is this a labor quote?

No — quantity only. For install dollars see tile installation cost tools.