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.
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
White Glossy Ceramic Subway Tile 3x6 Wall Backsplash Made in USA (Full Box 100 Pieces)
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Tenedos USCT White 3x12 Glossy Ceramic Subway Tile – 50 Pcs (12.5 Sqft) for Kitchen Backsplash, Bathroom Shower Walls, Accent Decor, Easy Glue-Down Installation
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3x6 Essential White Matte Satin Finish Ceramic Subway Tile Wall Backsplash Made in USA (100)
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Sponsored Ad - 40 Pieces 4 Inch Blank Ceramic Coasters, Unglazed Ceramic Tiles Coasters, Ceramic Tiles with Cork Backing Pads for Painting, DIY Crafts, Mosaics, Square, White.by GNIEMCKIN.
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Tenedos USCT 3x6 Glossy White Ceramic Subway Tile – Box of 10 Shiny Wall Tiles for Kitchen Backsplash, Bathroom, Shower, Accent Walls – Easy to Clean & Classic
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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
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Do this math on the job site — in the free app
Smart Tile Calculator for Android: offline, in your pocket, no ads. iPhone version coming soon.
Tools the pros use for this job
White Ceramic Subway Tile
White Glossy Ceramic Subway Tile 3x6 Wall Backsplash Made in USA (Full Box 100 Pieces)
Check price on AmazonThe default that never dates — gloss white 3x6 in bulk boxes.
1/16 & 1/8 in Spacers
500 Pcs 3 mm (1/8 Inch) Plastic Tile Spacers for Stone and Ceramic Tile | 500-Piece Pack,3 mm Spacing,Even Tile Layout,Plastic Construction,Multiple Installation Uses
Check price on AmazonTight 1/16 in joints read modern; 1/8 in reads traditional.
Metal Edge Trim
4 Pcs Aluminum Tile Edge Trim L Shaped Corner Guard, White, 3/8 in. | 90 Degree Angle Design, Pre-drilled Mounting Holes, Edging Strip for Backsplash Bathroom Kitchen Walls, Durable Finish
Check price on AmazonFinishes the outside edge far better than bullnose on a subway run.
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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.
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.