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QuantoObra

Wall Tile & Backsplash Calculator

Kitchen backsplash, bathroom wall or shower surround — enter the wall size and tile to get tiles, boxes, grout and adhesive.

Any surfaceFloor tileWall & backsplash

Results update as you type.

Wall

Measure by
ft
ft

Tile

in
in
in

e.g. 1/16, 1/8, 3/16

in

Sets grout depth

%

Set by pattern; adjust if needed

On the box label

Setting materials & prices

$/ft²
lb
$
lb
$

Tiles needed

695tiles

Boxes
9
720 tiles
Area incl. waste
89.6 ft²
80 ft² net
Grout
7.2 lb
1 bag
Adhesive
48 lb
1 bag

Shopping list

  • 9Boxes of 3 × 6 in tile (80/box)

    720 tiles · 90 ft²

  • 125 lb bag of unsanded grout

    7.2 lb needed

  • 150 lb bag of tile adhesive (thinset)

    47.7 lb needed · 1/4 × 1/4 in square notch trowel

  • 1Tile spacers, sponge & grout float

    Recommended

Add prices below to see a cost estimate.

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How we calculate

area = wall width × tile height (sum all walls, minus openings)
tiles = ⌈area × (1 + waste %) ÷ ((tile W + joint) × (tile L + joint))⌉

Wall tile tips

  • Defaults are set for 3 × 6 in subway tile in an offset (brick) pattern with 1/16 in joints.
  • Use a 1/4 × 1/4 in (6 mm) notch for small wall tiles; non-sag (“wall”) thinset stops tiles slipping.
  • In showers, waterproof the backer (liquid membrane or sheet) before tiling.

Frequently asked questions

How many subway tiles do I need?

A 3 × 6 in subway tile covers 0.125 ft² (plus joint), so you need about 8 tiles per ft². A 30 ft² backsplash with 12% waste needs roughly 260 tiles.

How do I measure a shower for tile?

Measure each wall’s width × the tile height (usually to the ceiling or 6–12 in above the shower head), add them up and subtract the niche or window. Use “Total area” mode.

How much extra tile for a backsplash?

Backsplashes have lots of cuts around outlets, windows and cabinets, so use 12–15% waste even for straight layouts.

Should wall tile be thinner than floor tile?

Wall tile can be thinner and lighter (often 5/16 in / 7–8 mm) since it carries no traffic. Never use wall-only tile on floors.

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