What Are Tile Spacers?
Tile spacers are small plastic pieces placed between tiles during installation to keep consistent gaps (joints) between each tile.
What They Do
- Control joint size — keeps spacing uniform across the entire layout
- Improve appearance — straight, even grout lines look clean and professional
- Help alignment — keeps tiles from drifting or touching while the mortar sets
- Support grout performance — proper spacing allows grout to bond and flex slightly
Types of Tile Spacers
- Cross spacers (+) — most common; used where 4 tiles meet
- T spacers — for edges, staggered patterns, or borders
- Wedge spacers — adjustable; good for slight tweaks or uneven tiles
- Leveling spacers/clips — combine spacing and help prevent lippage (uneven tile edges)
How to Choose the Right Size
Spacer size determines your grout line width:
- 1/16" — very tight lines; modern look; used with rectified tile
- 1/8" — most common for walls and floors
- 3/16"–1/4" — larger tiles or rustic/uneven tile
- Over 1/4" — stone or handmade tile with natural variation
How to Use Them
- Set your first tile in mortar
- Insert spacers along the edges
- Place the next tile against the spacers
- Continue across the layout
- Remove spacers before or after the mortar sets (depends on the type)
Recommendations
Best for Most DIY Projects: BARWALT 3/16-in Rubber X-Shaped Tile Spacer, 500-Pack — Also available in 1/8" and 1/4". The easiest option for ceramic or porcelain tile on walls or floors. Cheap, reliable, and gives you clean consistent grout lines.
For Large Format Tile and Clean Grout Lines: LASH360 1/16 in. Tile Leveling 3-Corner Stems or DGSL Tile Leveling System with Tile Plier — These do double duty: they space the tiles and keep the surface flat. If you're laying 12x24 or larger tile, a leveling system saves a lot of time fixing lippage after the fact.