Subway Tile Calculator
Your wall (3x6 subway tile)
Picking a pattern sets the recommended waste factor.
Check the box label — it varies by brand.
Tiles to buy
132 tiles
- Area to cover
- 15 sq ft
- Area including waste
- 16.5 sq ft
- Tile size
- 3 x 6 in
- One tile covers
- 0.125 sq ft
- Boxes needed
- 2 boxes
- Waste applied
- 10%
Tile is sold by the box — round up and keep one spare box from the same dye lot.
Save this calculation in the free app
Smart Tile Calculator keeps your tile jobs on your phone, offline. On iPhone? It's inside Roofing Calculator & Estimator.
🛒 Your tile setting materials list
#ad · Amazon- Polymer-modified thinset mortar1 × 40 lb bag for 15 sq ft
- Sanded grout in your colour3.1 lb for 1/8 in joints: pick the colour on Amazon (not added to the cart)
- 1/4 × 1/4 in square-notch trowel1 trowel
- Tile spacers, 1/8 in crosses1 bag of 1,000 (132 needed)
- Penetrating grout sealer1 × 16 oz bottle
Buy locally (tile shop or home center, so you can see the dye lot; boards ship as freight): Tile: 132 tiles (2 boxes)
Adds 4 items with these quantities to your Amazon cart; you review them there before buying. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Subway tile counts by project size
| Project | Square feet | Tiles (8/sq ft) | Tiles +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small backsplash run | 18 sq ft | 144 | 159 |
| Standard kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | 240 | 264 |
| Large kitchen backsplash | 45 sq ft | 360 | 396 |
| Tub surround (3 walls) | 100 sq ft | 800 | 880 |
| Full shower walls | 120 sq ft | 960 | 1,056 |
Waste by subway pattern
| Pattern | Waste | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running bond (50%) | 10% | Easy | Any backsplash or wall |
| Stacked / grid | 10% | Easy | Modern kitchens |
| Vertical stack | 10% | Easy | Low backsplashes |
| 1/3 offset | 12% | Easy | Longer tiles like 4x12 |
| Herringbone | 20% | Hard | Feature walls |
Subway tile and trim on Amazon
StyloVue 100 Pieces Peel and Stick Backsplash for Kitchen, 3" x 6" PVC Subway Tile, Glossy White with Dark Gray Grout, Self Adhesive Stick on Wall Tiles for Kitchen, Bathroom, Fireplace, RV
$39.99
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Art3d 102-Pack Peel and Stick Backsplash on Subway Tile, Glossy White | 3 x 6 in, PVC, Self Adhesive, Waterproof, Traceless Peel, Modular Splicing, Ideal for Vanities, Bathrooms
$39.99
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Art3d 10-Pack Subway Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash, White, 12 x 12 Inch | Thickened Design, No Warping, Durable, Self-Adhesive, Sturdy, for Kitchen, Bedroom, Ideal for New Home Buyers, Future Movers
$29.99
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Vamos Tile 100-Piece Glossy Dolomite White Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile,3''x6'' PVC Subway Tile with White Grout, Stick on Backsplash for Kitchen/Bathroom/Fireplace
$39.99
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STICKGOO 10-Sheet Backsplash Peel and Stick Subway Tile(Thicker Design) | 3D Vinyl Self-Adhesive Wall Panels, DIY Stick on Tiles Backsplash for Kitchen/Bathroom/Laundry/RV in White
$29.99
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STICKGOO Subway Tile Peel and Stick Backsplash, Thicker Design 12" x 12" Stick on Backsplash Tiles for Kitchen, Bathroom, Wall Tile (10 Sheets, Bright Glossy White)
$45.99
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prices as of Oct 17, 2026, 4:39 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Tools the pros use for this job
White Ceramic Subway Tile
StyloVue 100 Pieces Peel and Stick Backsplash for Kitchen, 3" x 6" PVC Subway Tile, Glossy White with Dark Gray Grout, Self Adhesive Stick on Wall Tiles for Kitchen, Bathroom, Fireplace, RV
$39.99
Check price on AmazonThe default that never dates — gloss white 3x6 in bulk boxes.
1/16 & 1/8 in Spacers
DGSL Tile Leveling System Tile Spacers 1/8 Inch, 300 pieces Horseshoe Shim U Shape Plastic Tile Leveling Clips for Various Types of Tile Leveling
$15.03
Check price on AmazonTight 1/16 in joints read modern; 1/8 in reads traditional.
Metal Edge Trim
Art3d 20 ft Outside Corner Trim, Peel and Stick for Wall Tile Edge, White | Flexible, Durable, Waterproof, Strong Adhesive, High Viscosity, Easy to Clean, Ideal for Tiles Edges, Furniture Decoration
$9.99
Check price on AmazonFinishes the outside edge far better than bullnose on a subway run.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prices as of Oct 17, 2026, 4:39 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Do this math on the job site — in the free app
Smart Tile Calculator for Android: offline, in your pocket, free.
How this calculator works
One 3x6 tile is 18 square inches, or 0.125 sq ft — 8 tiles per square foot. A standard kitchen backsplash of 30 sq ft therefore needs 240 tiles before waste, or 264 tiles with a 10% allowance.
Pattern changes the waste, not the coverage. Running bond (50% offset) wastes about 10%, stacked is the same, vertical stack about 10%, and herringbone about 20% because every row ends in a diagonal cut.
- Running bond: the classic half-offset. Cuts alternate half tiles at each end, so the offcut usually starts the next row.
- Stacked: grid alignment. Needs a dead-flat wall — every joint lines up and shows any drift.
- Vertical stack: makes a low backsplash look taller.
- Herringbone: 45° zigzag, the most cut-heavy and the most striking.
Measuring a kitchen? Use the backsplash calculator to get the square footage first, then check pattern waste factors and tiles per square foot.
Frequently asked questions
How many 3x6 subway tiles are in a square foot?
Eight. Each 3x6 tile covers 0.125 square feet, ignoring grout joints.
How many subway tiles do I need for a backsplash?
A typical 30 sq ft kitchen backsplash needs about 240 tiles, or 264 with 10% waste. Boxes usually hold 80–90 tiles, so 3 boxes.
How much waste for herringbone subway tile?
Order 20%. Every course ends with an angled cut and the offcuts rarely fit anywhere else.
What grout joint is right for subway tile?
1/16 inch for a tight modern look with rectified tile, 1/8 inch for standard ceramic subway tile with slightly irregular edges.
Related calculators
- Backsplash Tile CalculatorKitchen backsplash square footage between counter and cabinets.
- Wall Tile CalculatorWall coverage minus doors, windows, and other openings.
- Tiles Per Square Foot ChartReverse calculator and master chart: tiles per sq ft and per box.
- Tile Pattern CalculatorHerringbone, chevron, hex, offset and diagonal waste factors.
- Standard Tile Sizes ChartEvery standard floor, wall and subway size with sq ft per tile and tiles per 100 sq ft.
- Bullnose Tile CalculatorBullnose pieces for backsplash, shower and wainscot edges, plus corner pieces.
Guides worth reading next
- How to Measure a Room for Tile (Step by Step)Measure any room for floor or wall tile: handle closets and alcoves, convert inches to decimals, subtract fixtures, and add the right waste percentage.
- Choosing the Right Tile Size for Your RoomHow tile size changes a room: when 12×24 beats 4×4, why small rooms can take large tile, grout line math, and the flatness rule for big formats.
- Sanded vs Unsanded vs Epoxy Grout: Which One Do You Need?Grout types explained by joint width and location: when sand scratches tile, why epoxy wins in showers, and how much of each type a bag actually covers.