Backsplash Calculator
Add up each run of wall between the counter and the upper cabinets, take out windows and the range hood area, then convert to tiles or 12×12 sheets.
How this calculator works
- Area = run length × height ÷ 12 (height in inches), minus windows and anything you will not tile.
- Waste covers cuts around outlets, cabinet ends and the window returns.
Backsplash questions
How high should a backsplash go?
Standard is from counter to the underside of the upper cabinets, usually 18 inches. Behind a range many people tile up to the hood, and a full-height wall is common where there are no uppers.
How many 3×6 subway tiles per square foot?
Eight, since 144 ÷ 18 = 8. With a 1/16 inch joint it is slightly under eight.
Should the backsplash sit on the countertop?
Leave a small gap at the counter and fill it with color-matched silicone rather than grout. The joint moves, and grout there will crack.