4-1/4" and some larger wall tiles have bumps cast in that act as spacers. Unless you want a larger gap, no additional spacers are needed.
Whether your particular tile has them is uncertain. They're often necessary to prevent sagging with heavier tile while the mortar or mastic sets.
Answer from isherwood on Stack ExchangeFacebook
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Spacers vs no spacers on subway tile Pros and cons???
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Videos
10:24
How to Tile a Shower Wall...Stacked Subway Tile Tips -- by Home ...
31:42
How to install subway tile in a shower - YouTube
09:45
How to Tile a Shower with Subway Tile...Main Shower Wall Tips - ...
How To Install A Subway Tile Back Splash - Or Really Any ...
How to Tile a Shower with Subway Tile...Plumbing Wall Tips
21:11
How To Install A Subway Tile Backsplash - YouTube
Reddit
reddit.com › r/home › tiling with no spacers? contractor says it’s not necessary. am i missing something? lines definitely don’t look straight.
r/Home on Reddit: Tiling with no spacers? Contractor says it’s not necessary. Am I missing something? Lines definitely don’t look straight.
November 29, 2021 - There are tiles that don't require spacers. Subway tiles have a thin flange built into them so that when they're installed without spacers they have a space between them for grout still.
The DIY Playbook
thediyplaybook.com › home › diy index › 10 tips for installing subway tile
10 Tips To Install Subway Tile In Your Bathroom
August 17, 2023 - Yes. Most subway tile has grooves on the sides so you don’t need to use spacers at all because it’s an automatic 1/16″ grout line.
Quora
quora.com › Do-you-need-spacers-for-subway-tiles
Do you need spacers for subway tiles? - Quora
Answer: If the tiles have spacers molded into their edges (you’ll see and feel two bumps on each edge of the tile), then no, you do not need spacers unless you want a wider grout line than the built-in spacers provide.
NIUYUAN Trims
niuyuantrims.com › need-spacers-for-subway-tiles
Do You Need Spacers For Subway Tiles - NIUYUAN
July 8, 2025 - But getting every tile perfectly lined up by eye is tough. Yes, spacers are highly recommended for subway tile. They help you get uniform grout lines.
Green Tile
edwardmartin.com › home › information › information
What Is The Best Spacing For Subway Tiles?
August 1, 2024 - Maintaining consistent grout line ... from the overall appearance of the tiled area. To ensure even spacing, use tile spacers during installation....
Fine Homebuilding
finehomebuilding.com › do subway tiles need to be spaced?
Do Subway Tiles Need to Be Spaced? - Fine Homebuilding
August 4, 2025 - Other tile manufacturers like Pratt and Larson or Heritage Tile do not have the built-in spacer. Handmade or rustic subway tiles do require a larger grout line and a sanded grout. This has the added benefit of helping to hide size and shape differences in these tiles.
Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 2672345 › help-do-i-need-spacers-for-american-olean-3x6-subway-tiles
Help! Do I need spacers for American Olean 3x6 subway tiles?
We used the same tile for our kitchen backsplash. Please use the spacers (check to see what is recommended grout line and get spacers that size). if you want a uniform look, then choose a grout color that best blends with the tiles.
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › remodeling › kitchen & bath remodeling
Subway Tile - spacers | DIY Home Improvement Forum
A word about spacers--Go to 'Floor and Decor" on 59--they have flat horse shoe shaped spacers---much easier to use than the crosses--especially for subway tile--because they are typically set in a soldier course or running bond--meaning the crosses are useless. ... Some subway tiles have the spacing built in and some don't. Here is a good picture for you to reference, this is from my bathroom that I just finished.
The Craftsman Blog
thecraftsmanblog.com › home › the ultimate guide to subway tile
The Ultimate Guide to Subway Tile - The Craftsman Blog
May 3, 2022 - Some subway tile have spacers on the edges to give them the proper spacing and some require the use of plastic spacers until the mortar dries.
Cletile
cletile.com › blogs › cle-education › tile-spacing-guide
your guide to optimal tile spacing for every project
tile spacers are essential when ... don’t shift or crowd each other as the adhesive sets. this is especially important with ceramic, porcelain, or subway tiles, where symmetry and alignment are key to a polished ...
Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 5399580 › what-size-tile-spacers-for-shower-subway-tile-on-walls
What size tile spacers for shower subway tile on walls?
I like the look of 1/16” (1.5mm), but the Internet is telling me 2-3mm to allow for stress movement. The current shower uses 4x4 tile with shower pan and the grout lines look like they range from 1/32 to 1/16”. There are vertical stress cracks in a couple of the lower tiles which I assume ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/tile › subway tile backsplash - spacer confusion
r/Tile on Reddit: Subway tile backsplash - spacer confusion
January 4, 2024 -
I’m seeing conflicting guidance on what spacing to use with these tiles; and if spacers are required.
The sides have a slight bevel such that the tops are just under 1/16” apart. In my testing with 1/16” spacers, the grout line ends up at 1/8” which is visually much thicker than I prefer. I’m trying to minimize the grout lines as much as possible.
What would you do in this case?
**Tiles are 2x8 inches. This will be a kitchen backsplash
Top answer 1 of 5
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i definitely wouldnt use spacers because like you said would open to much. the bottom part of tile is done like that for a reason, its a built in spacer, so you can just stack them and use an unsanded grout. i personally would use wedges, the ones i have are super fine at the ends and use them just to basically keep everything straight, so it would open them up slightly as long as you dont put the wedge all the way to the back of tiles. in the end it would end up slightly less than 1/16 which would look great, but would still use an unsanded grout unless you opened them up to 1/16. 1/16 or slightly thinner is my choice using thin wedges, but dont use spacers
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I use wedges to open up the joint just a tiny bit and keep the tiles level. I try to never butt joint the tiles so that I can avoid possible cracking, but that's just how I was taught long ago.
Modern Builds
modernbuilds.com › vertical-subway-tiles-how-to
VERTICAL SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH // HOW TO — Modern Builds
We aren’t so quick, so we chose to “back butter” the tiles, which means we applied the adhesive directly onto the back of the tiles individually as we went. That way we weren’t rushed and we could give each tile plenty of attention. Like I mentioned earlier in the post… we didn’t use spacers.
Green Tile
edwardmartin.com › home › information › information
A Guide To Subway Tile Backsplash Installation
June 14, 2024 - Press each subway tile firmly into the adhesive, starting from your reference point and working outward. Use tile spacers to ensure uniform grout lines and cut tiles carefully to fit around edges or outlets. Check for levelness as you go, adjusting ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/tile › built in tile spacers?
r/Tile on Reddit: Built in tile spacers?
March 5, 2022 -
I recently purchased some Daltile subway tiles from home Depot. I'm realizing now that they have "built in lugs" to space them 1/16" apart without having to use separate spacers. Has any one used tiles like this? I want the 1/16 grout lines, but am worried that the grout may fall out as it can't penatrate as deep between the tiles as standard spacers. I plan on using Custom Fusion Pro grout as this is for a shower.
Thanks in advance!
Top answer 1 of 8
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I don't use fusion. It's for diy people because it's premixed. Just use that mapei ultracolor that everyone likes. You shouldn't dabble in epoxy if you are a first timer.
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I am also considering the HD Daltile Restore 3 x 6 subway tiles for my tub/shower surround and have the exact same concerns about grout penetration. Especially because the continuous lugs have glaze on them and I'm worried the grout will not stick inside the shallow channel and chip out. I was planning on using regular unsanded grout. How did your project turn out? Did you end up going with the HD Daltile, did you butt them together, what grout did you use and how is it holding up? Thanks for your reply!
Today's Homeowner
todayshomeowner.com › flooring › tile › 1/8 vs 1/16 grout line for subway tile: which is best?
1/8 vs 1/16 Grout Line for Subway Tile: Which is Best? (2025) | Today's Homeowner
March 14, 2025 - Tile spacers keep grout lines even—use 1/8-inch spacers for 1/8-inch grout lines and 1/16-inch spacers for 1/16-inch lines.
Uncookie Cutter
uncookiecutter.com › home › subway tile – tips and tricks for installing it yourself
Subway Tile - Tips and Tricks for Installing it Yourself - Uncookie Cutter
February 25, 2019 - Make sure to use two spacers on the bottom – one on each end – and two spacers on each end – the top and bottom.I have the white ones on the bottom and green ones on the end in the above photo.