How to Lay Out Tiles: Rows, Edge Cuts and Spacers (UK)
The edge cuts decide how a tiled floor looks. A 3 × 2.4 m floor in 300 mm tiles with 3 mm joints fits 9 whole tiles along the length and 7 across, leaving a cut of 135 mm at each end of a row and 138 mm at each end of a column. That is 11 by 9 tiles, so 109 tiles to buy with 10% extra and 80 cross spacers. The tile layout calculator works it out for your room.
How the layout is worked out
A row of tiles is whole tiles plus the grout joints between them. The calculator finds how many tiles and joints fit, then splits what is left between the two ends. If the cut would be thinner than the smallest cut you will accept, it uses one fewer whole tile, which makes both end cuts larger.
Whole tiles and cuts by tile size
For a 3 × 2.4 m floor with 3 mm joints, centred, and the smallest cut 50 mm:
| Tile size | Whole tiles per row | Edge cut (length) | Tiles to buy | Spacers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 × 200 mm | 14 | 78 mm | 229 | 180 |
| 300 × 300 mm | 9 | 135 mm | 109 | 80 |
| 400 × 400 mm | 7 | 88 mm | 70 | 48 |
| 450 × 450 mm | 6 | 140 mm | 62 | 42 |
| 600 × 600 mm | 4 | 293 mm | 33 | 20 |
Tiles and spacers by room size
300 mm tiles, 3 mm joints, 10% extra:
| Room | Tiles in a row × column | Tiles to buy | Spacers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 × 1.8 m | 9 × 7 | 70 | 48 |
| 3 × 2.4 m | 11 × 9 | 109 | 80 |
| 3.6 × 3 m | 13 × 11 | 158 | 120 |
| 4.5 × 3.6 m | 16 × 13 | 229 | 180 |
Laying it out on the floor
- Snap chalk lines through the middle of the room in both directions, or along the doorway if that is the line people see first.
- Dry-lay a row of tiles with spacers from the line to each wall. Check the cut at each end.
- If a cut comes out thin, shift the line by half a tile so that the cuts at the two ends become larger and more equal.
- Check the layout at the doorway and at fixed features such as a bath or a cupboard. A full tile at the door looks better than a sliver.
- Take the spacers out once the adhesive has set and before grouting.
For the tiles, adhesive and grout quantities, use the tile calculator, and for a whole floor the tiling materials calculator. Cut tiles are counted as whole tiles here, so you may need fewer if you can reuse the leftover pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How do I plan a tile layout?
Measure the area, decide where the centre line goes and work out how many whole tiles fit with the grout joints. A 3 × 2.4 m floor in 300 mm tiles with 3 mm joints fits 9 whole tiles along the length and 7 across, with cuts of 135 mm and 138 mm at the ends.
How many tile spacers do I need?
One cross spacer at each place where four tiles meet: 80 for the 3 × 2.4 m floor. They are cheap, so buy extra.
What is the smallest edge cut I should leave?
Tilers aim for at least half a tile, and avoid slivers under about 50 mm that chip and look wrong. If the layout gives a thin cut, move the starting line.
Should I start at the centre or at a wall?
The centre gives equal cuts on both sides. A doorway or the longest visible wall is the other usual choice. Dry-lay a row to decide.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and check the Building Regulations and any planning rules for anything structural or close to a boundary.
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