Kitchen splashback tiles: sizes, finishes and how many
A kitchen splashback is a small area that makes a big difference. It sits at eye level, right behind the worktop, and it is the part of the kitchen people notice first. Because the area is modest, you can choose a tile you love without ordering many boxes. This guide covers how to measure, which sizes and finishes work well, how to pair colours with your units, and how many boxes a typical 3 m² splashback needs.
How do I measure a kitchen splashback?
Measure the length of each run of worktop in metres, then the height from the worktop to the underside of the wall cupboards. Multiply the two for each run and add the runs together. That gives the area in square metres (m²).
Many kitchens tile higher behind the hob, up to the cooker hood. Measure that section as its own rectangle and add it on. If there are no wall cupboards, measure worktop to ceiling instead.
Then add 10% for cuts around sockets, switches, window sills and the ends of each run. The 10% is a good starting point, and your installer can confirm it. A small kitchen splashback often comes to about 3 m², which is 3.3 m² once the 10% is added. Our how many tiles guide covers measuring in more detail.
Which tile sizes suit a splashback?
Three sizes do most of the work in kitchens, and all cover the usual worktop to cupboard height with few joints. The 30x90, 29.5x90, 31.5x90 and 25x75 ceramic tiles here are rectified, which allows a narrower joint; the 30x60 porcelain tiles are not rectified. Your installer will advise the joint width for each.
30x60: the versatile porcelain
Our 30x60 porcelain tiles are listed for walls and floors, so the splashback can match the kitchen floor. Kashmir Hueso Polished 30x60 is an ivory concrete effect, Lakestone Sand 30x60 a warm sand stone effect, Badab Noir Polished 30x60 a black marble effect, and Lava Decor Multi 30x60 a multi-colour feature tile. For fewer joints, Empress Cemento Matt 60x120 is a matt grey concrete effect in a larger size, also listed for walls and floors.
30x90: the long ceramic wall tile
Laid horizontally, a 30x90 ceramic tile makes a short run look longer. Terra White 30x90 is a plain white matt, Museum Ivory 30x90 a patterned ivory feature, and Shine White 30x90 a white feature tile in semi-gloss. Breccia Cream 29.5x90 brings a cream marble effect, and Velvet Bronze 31.5x90 a warm bronze metallic look. Ceramic wall tiles are light and easy to cut, which makes short work of sockets and corners.
25x75: the compact feature tile
Nature Graphite 25x75 is a deep graphite ceramic feature tile, eight to a box. The slightly smaller format suits a tighter splashback and gives a rich look behind a hob or sink.
Which finish works behind a worktop?
Matt is an easy choice for a busy kitchen. It gives a calm, settled look, and most of the tiles in this guide are matt. Polished bounces light along the worktop and brightens a kitchen with little natural light; Kashmir Hueso Polished and Badab Noir Polished show it off. Semi-gloss, as on Shine White 30x90, sits between the two. Our tile finishes guide explains each finish.
Which colours go with my kitchen units?
- White or cream units. Add a little contrast with Empress Cemento Matt or Nature Graphite, or keep it light and airy with Museum Ivory for a touch of pattern.
- Dark units, navy or green. A light tile lifts the room. Terra White, Breccia Cream and Kashmir Hueso Polished all work well.
- Grey units. Warm it up with Lakestone Sand or Velvet Bronze, or go sleek with Badab Noir Polished.
- Wood or oak units. Cream and sand tones are a natural match, and Lava Decor Multi adds colour behind the hob.
Browse our kitchen tiles, feature tiles and marble effect tiles for more.
How many boxes do I need for a 3 m² splashback?
Take 3 m², add 10% to get 3.3 m², divide by the box coverage and round up to full boxes. The answer changes with the tile.
| Tile | Box covers | 3.3 m² ÷ box | Boxes to order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terra White 30x90, Museum Ivory 30x90, Shine White 30x90 | 1.35 m² (5 tiles) | 2.4 | 3 |
| Breccia Cream 29.5x90 | 1.59 m² (6 tiles) | 2.1 | 3 |
| Kashmir Hueso Polished 30x60, Badab Noir Polished 30x60 | 1.08 m² (6 tiles) | 3.06 | 4 |
| Lakestone Sand 30x60, Lava Decor Multi 30x60 (8 tiles a box), Empress Cemento Matt 60x120 (2 tiles a box) | 1.44 m² | 2.3 | 3 |
Every product page has a calculator that does this sum for you. Type in your area, tick "Add 10% wastage", and it gives the boxes. It is an estimate, so if your splashback has an unusual shape or many sockets, send us the measurements and we will check them.
What should I agree with my installer?
Decide where the tiles start and finish at each end of the run, how the cuts fall around the window and sockets, and whether the section behind the hob runs full height. Agree the grout colour too: a grout close to the tile colour keeps the look calm, while a contrasting grout picks out each tile.
See it before you buy
A splashback is seen close up every day, so colour and finish matter. Our Uxbridge showroom is open seven days a week and you can view any tile from the website there. Bring a cupboard door or a worktop offcut and hold them against the tiles. We are a short drive from Hayes, Slough, Southall, Hounslow and Harrow.
Browse wall tiles and kitchen tiles online, or call 01753 316106 or WhatsApp 07955 501595 with your measurements and we will work out the boxes with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a floor tile on a splashback?
Yes, if it is listed for walls as well. Our 30x60 porcelain tiles are listed for walls and floors, so one tile can run from the splashback to the floor.
Is 10% enough for a splashback?
For a straight run with a few sockets, 10% is a good starting point, and your installer can confirm it. If the splashback has a window, several sockets and a full height section behind the hob, your installer may suggest a little more.
Should the splashback match the worktop or the units?
Either works. Matching the worktop gives one continuous surface; a tile that contrasts with the units turns the splashback into a feature.