How to use
- Measure the length of counter that will get tile, in feet. Break an L-shaped counter into two runs and add the tile counts, or add the lengths if the height and tile are the same.
- Measure the height of the band in inches, from the countertop to where the tile stops.
- Enter the tile size and the grout joint in inches. A subway tile might be 3 by 6 with a 1/8 inch joint.
- Set waste higher if you will miter edges or cut around outlets. Press Calculate. The count rounds up.
How it's calculated
Module (sq ft) = (tile width + grout) × (tile height + grout) ÷ 144
Tiles = ceiling( area ÷ module × (1 + waste ÷ 100) )
Height is kept in inches because a backsplash is often 18 inches or so, and converting to feet in your head is where people drop a factor of 12. The tile module is the same idea as the tile calculator: each tile is charged for its own body plus one grout joint on each edge.
Outlets, windows, and a range hood are not removed automatically. If a window occupies a large part of the band, subtract that area in square feet from the result’s area, or shorten the length you enter so the band you type is only tile.
Worked example
A 10 foot run at 18 inches high is 10 × 18 ÷ 12 = 15 square feet. A 3 by 6 inch tile with a 1/8 inch joint has a module of 3.125 × 6.125 ÷ 144 = 0.1329 square feet. Raw tiles are 15 ÷ 0.1329 ≈ 112.9. With 10 percent waste that is 124.1, and the order rounds up to 125 tiles.
Assumptions and sources
The area formula is length times height with a unit conversion of 12 inches per foot. Coverage printed on a tile carton overrides a generic count if the maker already accounts for a recommended joint. This estimate does not include edge trim, mastic, or grout volume. Full-height walls belong on the tile calculator, where both sides are in feet.
FAQ
How tall is a standard backsplash?
There isn’t one height. Many people tile from the counter to the bottom of the upper cabinets, and that distance varies. Measure yours and type the inches.
Do I subtract outlet boxes?
A single outlet is smaller than the waste allowance on a long run. A window or a large hood is big enough to measure and leave out.
Can I enter a tile that is not 3 by 6?
Yes. Type the actual width and height in inches. The 3 by 6 figure in the example is only an illustration.
Why is the count higher than area divided by tile area?
Grout changes the module slightly, waste adds a percent, and the last step rounds up to a whole tile.