How many tiles you need for a kitchen or bathroom splashback. Deducts rangehood cutouts and GPO powerpoints. Works with mosaic, subway and standard tile sizes.
The calculator works out your net tiled area by starting with the full splashback dimensions, then subtracting any rangehood cutout, GPO powerpoints and windows. It then calculates how many individual tiles fit that area, accounting for the grout joint spacing, and adds your chosen waste margin for cuts.
Unlike large floor areas where most tiles lay whole, splashbacks involve a lot of cutting — around rangehoods, power points, window sills and the edge of the bench. 15% is the standard recommendation for a kitchen splashback. If you're laying tiles diagonally or using a herringbone pattern, allow 20%.
| Style | Size | Typical grout joint | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosaic | 25×25 mm or 48×48 mm | 2–3 mm | Usually sold on 300×300 mm mesh sheets |
| Subway (classic) | 75×150 mm | 3–5 mm | Most popular AU kitchen splashback tile |
| Subway (large) | 100×200 mm or 100×300 mm | 3–5 mm | Modern look, fewer grout lines |
| Square | 200×200 mm | 3–5 mm | Versatile, suits both kitchen and bathroom |
| Large format | 600×300 mm | 3 mm | Minimal grout lines, easier to clean |
Each standard Australian double GPO powerpoint covers approximately 90 × 50 mm — a tiny area. The main reason to account for them is cut complexity rather than area saved. The calculator uses this standard size automatically for each GPO you specify.
The area behind and above a rangehood typically isn't tiled to the same height as the rest of the splashback. A standard 600 mm rangehood with a 100 mm clearance behind it represents 0.06 m² of saving. For larger rangehoods, measure the actual face plate and enter the dimensions.
Grout joints affect how many tiles fit in a given area. A 3 mm joint around a 75×150 mm subway tile reduces the number of tiles needed compared to a 10 mm joint because the effective footprint of each tile-plus-grout unit is larger. The difference is small on a splashback but adds up with mosaic tiles.
Measure the total width of the splashback area and multiply by the height (typically 600 mm from benchtop to the underside of overhead cabinets, or full height to ceiling if no overhead cabinets). Subtract the rangehood opening and any GPO (powerpoint) cutouts. The calculator handles these deductions automatically.
A standard 3 m wide kitchen splashback at 600 mm height is 1.8 m². With a 10% waste margin, you need tiles to cover about 2 m². For 300 × 300 mm tiles, that's approximately 22 tiles. For subway tiles (300 × 75 mm), you'd need around 90 tiles. The calculator gives you the exact count for your tile size.
Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most popular choice — easy to clean, heat-resistant and available in a huge range of styles. Subway tiles (75 × 300 mm) are perennially popular in Australian kitchens. Glass tiles give a sleek finish but are harder to cut and install. Natural stone is beautiful but requires sealing and more maintenance near a cooktop.
The area directly behind a gas or electric cooktop must be a non-combustible surface under the NCC. Ceramic and porcelain tiles easily meet this requirement. Glass splashbacks also comply. Timber, laminate and some composite materials do not — check the NCC requirements and your cooktop manufacturer's installation clearances before choosing a material.
Tiles for a standard 3 m kitchen splashback cost $50–$200+ depending on the tile style and quality. Professional tiling labour for a splashback typically runs $200–$500 for the job. Glass splashbacks start around $300–$600 for a standard kitchen width, professionally supplied and installed.