Ready to add some elegance to your kitchen?

If you’re looking to add some dimension, color, or pattern, consider installing a tin tile backsplash. Material options aside, there are many aesthetic and functional benefits to adding a bathroom or kitchen backsplash. No matter the size of your wall, there are a few basic measurements to know before shopping online for tin tiles.

We’ll teach you how to measure for a bathroom for kitchen backsplash so you can get the right amount of tile.

In a Nutshell:  How to Measure for a Backsplash

Start by gathering some tools including a tape measure, paper or notebook, a pencil, and calculator. 

First, you will need to know the width and height of your current backsplash area, which you can do quickly with a tape measure. Once you have those numbers, now comes the easy math: multiply the width by the length (W x H) to get the total square inches.

Once you have the total square inches, divide that number by 144 to determine how many square feet of backsplash you will need. 

How Do You Measure Around Windows, Cabinets, or Other Features?

Sure, some backsplashes may be one cohesive long rectangle shape, making it easy to measure the width and height of the area that a future backsplash material will cover. Unfortunately, most kitchens are not that simple and have features like cabinets, walls, or windows interrupting the backsplash. Break up each area into smaller, easier-to-measure segments then add them together to get your full area.

Note that American Tin Ceilings provides an easy template planner for you to mark down the dimensions of each segment as you measure. An additional notes area allows you to jot down notes, annotations, and/or a legend of symbols used for reference.

Steps to Measuring Segments/Areas for a Backsplash

Step 1: First step, is just as you would measure a clean-and-simple rectangular area of kitchen backsplash by width x height  (W X H), you will want to measure the W x H of each area that visually and physically sections off a wall. These sections are wherever a feature breaks up the area of a backsplash (i.e, countertop to overhanging cabinet). Keep track of each area’s dimensions by labeling and marking with a capital letter (or other symbol) on diagram. 

Step 2: After measuring the different segments of your backsplash, simply add all the individual W x H areas together for your final number before Step 3.

Step 3: Now that you have your grand total W x H (by adding all the individual W x H areas), now multiply the overall width and height to find your total area in inches. Then divide that total area in inches by 144, and you’ll have the amount of square feet needed to cover your backsplash with your choice of material!

Aim for purchasing 10%-20% over the area amount you need in case of mistakes or for future repairs.

Interested In Tin Tile Backsplash?

Tin tile makes an elegant addition to your kitchen design. All American Tin Ceilings panels are sized at 24” x 24” (2’ x 2’) to cover larger areas such as a cooktop. For areas less than 24”, simply cut the panels to fit accordingly.

A typical backsplash is 18" high, which means a 24" tin tile from American Tin Ceilings can generally cover 2 feet of wall space. As noted in the three “measure areas/segments” steps above for any backsplash, if there are areas in your kitchen or bathroom that exceed 24" in height, you'll need to multiply the length x the width of these areas to determine the number of additional tin tiles needed.

We recommend using a 6” repeating tin tile pattern (rather than a 12”). This is because a 6” pattern repeat allows you to see the whole pattern on a more compact wall area, whereas a 12” repeat would be visually cut off on a backsplash. A 6” repeating pattern also allows you to cut the panels to accommodate your space between your cabinets and counter. 

Better At Listening? Tune Into This Video Tutorial on How to Measure for a Backsplash