A kitchen backsplash costs $1,000 on average for about 35 square feet, according to Angi's 2026 cost guide, and most projects land between $480 and $1,500. Installed, porcelain runs $14 to $28 per square foot, ceramic $12 to $32, and glass $18 to $42. House AI can show a new backsplash on a photo of your kitchen before you buy tile.
Three things set the price: the material, the size of the wall, and the labor. A plain ceramic subway tile on a short run behind the counter costs a fraction of marble taken up to the ceiling.
Backsplash cost by material
Material is the biggest swing in the price. Angi's installed prices include labor. HomeGuide also lists what the material alone costs, which is the number that matters if you plan to install it yourself.
| Material | Installed, per sq ft (Angi) | Material only, per sq ft (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $12 to $32 | $1 to $8 |
| Porcelain | $14 to $28 | $2 to $10 |
| Glass | $18 to $42 | $5 to $25 |
| Natural stone | $20 to $68 | $3 to $15 |
| Marble | $30 to $150 | $5 to $25 |
| Peel-and-stick | No Angi figure | $4 to $30 |
Labor, removal, and the total
Labor usually adds $5 to $20 per square foot, or $50 to $100 an hour, according to Angi. Taking out an old backsplash costs another $3 to $6 per square foot including disposal. HomeGuide's figures are close: $30 to $100 an hour for labor and $2 to $5 per square foot for removal.
At Angi's 35 square feet, porcelain at $14 to $28 installed comes to $490 to $980. Removing an old backsplash first adds $105 to $210. HomeGuide puts the national average at $1,100, with most jobs between $500 and $1,700.
How to preview a backsplash before you buy tile
Step 1: Photograph the kitchen
Stand back far enough to get the counters, the upper cabinets, and the wall between them in one frame, in daylight with the lights on.
Step 2: Describe the tile in House AI
Upload the photo, set the room type to kitchen, and describe the backsplash in your own words, such as white subway tile with light gray grout. Each design takes about 15 seconds on average, and every user gets 3 free designs a day, so you can compare a few materials on the same wall.
Step 3: Order samples and measure
AI doesn't measure your wall, and small details like grout lines and tile size can drift between the render and real life. Screen color is not tile color either. Measure the length and height of the wall, order two or three samples, and look at them against your counter in daylight and at night.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a backsplash cost per square foot?
$15 to $40 per square foot on average, including labor, according to Angi's 2026 guide. Marble can reach $150 per square foot installed.
What is the cheapest kitchen backsplash?
Peel-and-stick tile, from $4 per square foot for the material, according to HomeGuide. Among installed tile, ceramic is the cheapest at $12 to $32 per square foot on Angi's list.
How much does labor cost to install a backsplash?
$5 to $20 per square foot, or $50 to $100 an hour, according to Angi.
How big is a typical kitchen backsplash?
Angi bases its $1,000 average on 35 square feet. HomeGuide prices kitchen backsplashes at 20 to 40 square feet.
Keep reading
- How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?
- Small Kitchen Design Tips: Maximize Space with AI
- Is House AI Free?
- House AI Pricing
Sources: Angi, "How Much Does Backsplash Installation Cost? [2026 Data]," updated September 24, 2026. HomeGuide, "How Much Does It Cost to Install a Backsplash?", updated October 5, 2023. Both checked October 3, 2026. House AI figures come from the House AI app.