Splashback Tile Calculator — How Many Tiles for a Splashback?

The number of tiles depends on the splashback area and tile size. Measure the width and height of the splashback area, then divide by the individual tile area. For a typical 3m x 0.5m kitchen splashback using 300x75mm metro tiles, you need approximately 67 tiles plus 10% for wastage, so around 74 tiles. Always add extra for cuts and breakages.

The 300 x 75mm metro (subway) tile is the most popular choice for UK kitchen splashbacks. It creates a classic brick-bond pattern that works with any kitchen style. For a more contemporary look, 600 x 300mm large format tiles minimise grout lines. Small 100 x 100mm tiles work well in smaller areas but have more grout joints to maintain.

Allow roughly 3.5 kg of adhesive per square metre for small and standard wall tiles applied with a 6mm notched trowel — so a 20kg bag covers around 5-6m². Large format tiles (such as 600 x 300mm) need a 12mm trowel and back-buttering, which uses about 6 kg/m² (roughly 3m² per 20kg bag). Always follow the coverage figure printed on your adhesive bag, as it varies by product and surface flatness.

Grout quantity is worked out from the standard formula (tile length + tile width) × joint width × joint depth × 1.8 ÷ (tile length × tile width), giving kilograms per square metre. Smaller tiles need more grout per m² because they have more joints. For 300 x 75mm metro tiles with 2mm joints this is roughly 0.36 kg/m²; 100 x 100mm tiles are closer to 0.43 kg/m². A single 5kg bag of grout is usually enough for a typical kitchen splashback. Add 5-10% for mixing waste.

Edge trim (also called tile trim or border trim) gives a neat, professional finish to exposed tile edges at the top and sides of the splashback. Chrome, stainless steel, or brushed nickel trims are the most popular for kitchen splashbacks. The trim should match the thickness of your tiles. Measure the top and both sides for the total trim length required.