Installing a backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom can really make the space pop with personality. But before you start shopping for tile, you need to know how much you need. Calculating the square footage for a backsplash ensures you buy enough material without wastefully overbuying. With some simple measurements and math, you can determine the exact square footage of your backsplash area.

Measuring Your Backsplash Area

The first step in calculating square feet for a backsplash is measuring the area you want to cover. Here are some tips for getting accurate measurements:

Use a laser measuring tape or standard retractable tape measure. Laser offers precision, but standard tape works too.
Measure in inches or centimeters, whichever you are most comfortable with.
Measure the length and height of each individual section of wall that will have backsplash.
For inside corners where two sections meet, measure each wall section separately.
Pay attention to any indented sections, windows, outlets or other openings and measure around them.
Round measurements up to the nearest 1/4 inch or half centimeter. It’s better to have a little extra than to come up short.
Write down all measurements for easy reference later.

Be methodical and meticulous for the most accurate measurements. Having the proper tools and taking your time ensures you don’t miss any details.

Calculating Square Footage

Once you have all your measurements, it’s time for some math to find the total square footage. Here are the steps:

Measure height x width for each section. For example, if you have a section that is 32 1/2 inches wide by 48 inches tall, you would do: 32.5 x 48 = 1560
Convert inches to feet if needed. Measurements in inches need to be converted to feet by dividing by 12. So in the example above, 1560 inches divided by 12 equals 130 square feet.
Add together square footage for each section. Do steps 1 and 2 for every backsplash section and add all the totals.
Round up for a buffer. Once you have the total, round up to the nearest 5 square feet. This provides a little extra material as a buffer.
Double check. Look over all your measurements again to verify accuracy. Just a small mistake can throw off the total.
Purchase 10-15% more than calculated total. It’s wise to buy 10-15% more tile than your calculated square footage. This covers cut tile waste and future repairs.

Follow these steps carefully to get your backsplash square footage amount. Having the precise number allows you to purchase the right tile amount for your project.

Factors That Impact Square Footage

Several factors can influence the total square footage calculation for backsplash tile:

Tile size – Smaller tiles have more grout lines and take more pieces per square foot. Larger tiles cover more area with fewer seams.
Tile shape – The dimensions and grid pattern of shapes like hexagons or mosaics impact how many full tiles are needed per square foot.
Grout lines – Thicker grout lines take up more space between tiles, requiring additional material.
Design elements – Accent strips, borders, niches and other special details require extra tile.
Cut tile waste – Irregular edges and gaps always result in unusable cut tile pieces.
Future repairs – Having leftover tile allows for easy future repairs if tiles become damaged.

Considering these aspects when purchasing tile ensures your project goes smoothly without running out. Buying a tile square footage amount 10-15% over your measurements provides a good buffer.

Tools Needed for Measuring

Having the right tools makes measuring and calculating square footage much easier:

Tape measure – A metal or plastic retractable tape measure is essential for precise linear measurements. Look for one at least 25 feet long.
Laser distance measurer – This tool sends a laser to measure distances very accurately, especially for height.
Pencil and paper – Writing down measurements as you go ensures you don’t forget any numbers.
Calculator – A basic calculator helps add up all your measurements and convert inches to feet.
Smartphone – Many smartphone apps can calculate area and even let you draw a space and determine square footage.
Chalk line – This lets you mark straight lines on the wall as a guide while you measure.

Investing in quality tools like a laser measurer provides greater accuracy in your calculations. But even basic tools like tape and a notepad get the job done.

Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

While measuring your backsplash area, there are some common mistakes that can distort your final square footage:

Forgetting to measure around openings like windows or outlets.
Measuring in a straight line rather than following the contours of the wall.
Not holding the tape measure straight and taut enough.
Rounding down fractions of inches or centimeters instead of rounding up.
Transposing or mistaking numbers when writing down measurements.
Converting large measurements incorrectly, like using 1 foot = 10 inches instead of 12 inches.
Forgetting to add extra for cut tile waste and future repairs.
Adding section totals incorrectly due to calculation errors.
Measuring spaces multiple times but recording only one set of measurements.

Double checking all your math and measurements prevents these issues that could require a return trip to the tile store. Slow down, focus, and recalculate anything that seems off.

Estimating Without Measuring

In some cases, you may need to estimate the square footage for backsplash without actually measuring. Here are some tips:

For a full wall, estimate 15 square feet for every 4 linear feet of standard 8 foot ceiling height.
For a 4 foot backsplash section under a window, estimate 2-3 square feet.
Around a typical kitchen or bathroom sink, estimate 4-6 square feet for a 6 inch height backsplash.
On average, allow for 10% extra for standard cut tile waste and future repairs.
Round up your tile purchase to the nearest full box quantity to have leftovers.

While not as accurate as measuring, thoughtful estimating can get you reasonably close to the right amount. Overestimate rather than underestimate if unsure.

Ordering the Right Amount of Tile

Once you have your precise backsplash square footage amount, here are some tips for purchasing tile:

Verify the square feet per tile or mosaic sheet size that is noted on the packaging or by the retailer.
Divide your total square footage by the tile coverage amount per piece to estimate quantities needed.
Round up your estimate to the next full box amount for a buffer.
Purchase 10-15% more than your estimate to cover cut tile waste and future repairs.
Have extras left over for future repairs or design changes rather than falling short.
Stick with the same production lot numbers if buying multiple boxes to minimize variation.
Consider purchasing tile spacer strips for easier installation with even grout lines.

Investing the time to accurately calculate how much tile you need saves the headache of having to make additional trips to the store later. Carefully measuring and doing the math sets your backsplash project up for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the standard backsplash height and width?

The most common backsplash height is 4 inches from the countertop, while width depends on the space, usually as wide as the counters or stove. Full wall backsplashes are also popular, reaching all the way from countertops to cabinets.

Should I include windows or outlets in my measurements?

Yes, measure around windows, outlets or any fittings on the backsplash wall, so you don’t miss any square footage. Be sure to measure each section separately.

What tools do I need for measuring square footage?

A steel tape measure and laser distance measurer provide the most accuracy. Have pencil and paper handy to record measurements, and a calculator to add them up and convert units.

How much extra tile should I buy?

Purchase 10-15% more than your measurements calculate out just to be safe. This covers waste from cutting tiles to fit, future repairs if tiles become damaged, and design changes down the road.

Should I round up or down with my measurements?

Always round up each measurement to the nearest quarter inch or half centimeter. Small fractions can really add up over an entire backsplash resulting in not enough tile if rounded down.

Key Takeaways

Carefully measure the height x width of each individual backsplash section and add together for total square feet.
Convert any measurements in inches to feet and round up fractions for a buffer.
Buy 10-15% extra tile to account for cut tile waste and future repairs or design changes.
Use quality tools like tape measures, laser distance finders, calculators and smartphone apps.
Avoid common measuring mistakes like forgetting areas or transposing numbers.
Double check all measurements and calculations to ensure accuracy.

With some handy tools and these simple tips, you can determine the perfect square footage to buy enough backsplash tile for your project. Take your time, measure meticulously, and do the math carefully to calculate how much tile you need.

How to Calculate Square Feet for Backsplash – FAQ

Installing a backsplash is a great way to add personality and visual interest to any kitchen or bathroom. But before starting your project, it’s important to accurately calculate the square footage of your backsplash area so you can purchase the correct amount of tile. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about measuring backsplash square footage:

What’s the best way to measure for a backsplash?

Use a laser measuring device or metal tape measure, not a cloth one which can stretch. Measure in small increments, following the contours of the wall. Note measurements for each section like around windows or outlets.

How do I calculate the square footage from the measurements?

Measure the height x width of each backsplash section. Convert any inches to feet by dividing by 12. Add together the total square feet of each section to get your total. Round up fractions of inches for a buffer.

What about hard-to-reach areas?

Use a telescoping camera to take photos of hard to access areas. View the photos zoomed in on a computer and estimate measurements based on the pixels. Or use a special laser device with a separate receiver to capture distances.

Should I measure inside or outside corner angles?

Measure each wall section of an inside corner separately, don’t just run the tape across the angle. This avoids missing square footage where the walls meet. Outside corners can simply be measured across.

What math mistakes should I watch out for?

Don’t use 1 foot = 10 inches to convert. Always divide inches by 12 to get feet. Double check your addition for total square feet. Round up fractions, don’t round down. Transposing numbers can thrown off calculations.

How much extra tile should I get?

Purchase 10-15% more tile than your measurements, to cover waste from cutting, future repairs, or deciding to extend your backsplash later. Round up the number of boxes to have leftovers rather than running short.

Can I just estimate the square footage instead?

While less accurate, you can get a rough ballpark by multiplying 4 feet of backsplash height x 4 linear feet of wall space. This equals about 15 square feet. Just remember to overestimate square footage when unsure.

What tools help get the most accurate measurements?

Quality measuring tools like a laser distance measurer, telescoping camera for hard to reach spots, chalk line for marking guidelines, pencil, paper for writing down measurements, and a calculator help get maximum accuracy.

Accurately calculating square footage for backsplash tile ensures you know exactly how much to purchase for your project. Taking careful measurements and avoiding math errors gives you the precise tile quantity needed to install your backsplash perfectly.

Conclusion

Calculating the square footage for backsplash tile is an important first step for any kitchen or bathroom renovation project. By following the tips outlined, you can measure your space accurately and determine the right amount of tile to purchase. Investing the effort to measure meticulously and do the math carefully saves both money and headaches down the road.

The key tools needed are a quality tape measure, laser distance measurer, pencil and paper, calculator or smartphone app, and chalk line. Measure in small sections, rounding up fractions of inches and centimeter measurements. Convert inches to feet and add all sections together to get total tile square footage needed. Purchase an extra 10-15% on top of that for cut tile waste and future repairs or design changes.

With the right preparation and measurements, you can calculate the perfect square footage for your backsplash area. This helps you buy the exact quantity of tile you need to complete your project, while having some extras left over for repairs or expansion in the future. Avoid mistakes like forgetting spaces or transposing numbers when calculating. Investing the time upfront to measure and calculate carefully ensures you get the right amount of tile you need to install a beautiful, seamless backsplash.