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 ExchangeFine Homebuilding
finehomebuilding.com › do subway tiles need to be spaced?
Do Subway Tiles Need to Be Spaced? - Fine Homebuilding
August 4, 2025 - It depends on the brand of tile and the look you want to achieve. Subway tile made by Dal-Tile or American Olean, for example, has a small built-in spacer that allows you to stack the tile without additional spacers.
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?
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. Our contractor does alot of tile work and as good as he is, he said that even the slightest variance in a linear placement can affect the straight line. He always uses them, even with 30 years experience of doing tile work.
Videos
21:11
How To Install A Subway Tile Backsplash - YouTube
20:00
3" x 6" Subway Tile Backsplash : Full Tutorial, Labor Time, Tools ...
Reply to @n.meadham just wanted to do a little video on this as a fair few people have asked now! #tile #hhtiling #tiling #tilesetter #tiletips #fypシ | TikTok
09:45
How to Tile a Shower with Subway Tile...Main Shower Wall Tips - ...
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › 914910123318959 › posts › 1101798657963437
Do beveled edge subway tiles require spacers for ...
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
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. These tiles are not made that way.
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. If the tiles do not have molded in spacers, then yes, you need spacers so tha...
Green Tile
edwardmartin.com › home › information › information
What Is The Best Spacing For Subway Tiles?
August 1, 2024 - These small plastic or rubber spacers are placed between the tiles to create uniform gaps for the grout. Choosing the right grout is essential for both the appearance and durability of your subway tile installation.
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 ... course or running bond--meaning the crosses are useless. ... Some subway tiles have the spacing built in and some don't....
NIUYUAN Trims
niuyuantrims.com › need-spacers-for-subway-tiles
Do You Need Spacers For Subway Tiles - NIUYUAN
July 8, 2025 - Technically, some subway tiles have small “lugs” or “nubs” that allow stacking. However, relying only on these can lead to inconsistent grout lines. For truly professional results, separate spacers are better. I’ve seen people try to stack subway tiles, especially those with built-in nubs.
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.
Tilers Place
tilersplace.com › tile-spacers-ultimate-guide
Tile Spacers Ultimate Guide | Install Tile Like A Professional ✔️
Tile spacers come in a variety of sizes: 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 and 3/8 inches. Smaller spacers like 1/16, 1/8 can be used for large format porcelain, subway or ceramic wall tiles.
Vintage Revivals
vintagerevivals.com › home › lessons i learned while installing subway tile cause i’m an idiot.
Lessons I Learned While Installing Subway Tile Cause I’m an Idiot. • Vintage Revivals
June 18, 2019 - When you tile from the bottom up the baseboard give it stability and then the spacers make it so that you can build up. Such a great question!! ... The end result was definitely worth the hard work, it looks awesome! https://www.theartfulscavenger.com/#!Designer-Peeves/cmbz/5697dd6a0cf2e94e3fb7a77c ... Turned out great! We have subway tile in our kitchen and I love it.
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.
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › 914910123318959 › posts › 1145322466944389
Spacers vs no spacers on subway tile Pros and cons???
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
GardenWeb
gardenweb.com › discussions › 4006989 › daltile-rittenhouse-square-subway-tiles-need-spacers-yes-or-no
Daltile (Rittenhouse Square) subway tiles--need spacers "yes" or "no"?
OTOH, I've also read that 1/8" regular tile spacers are needed because with the super narrow grout line created just by butting the tiles together the water in a shower will erode the very narrow grout lines away. If you have used this brand subway tile, what did you do?
TikTok
tiktok.com › handy dan (@handydan101) | tiktok › subway tile has built in spacing! also don’t let adhesive till ur joints! #tile #handyman
Subway tile has built in spacing! Also don’t let adhesive till ur joints! #tile #handyman | TikTok
154 Likes, TikTok video from Handy Dan (@handydan101): “Subway tile has built in spacing! Also don’t let adhesive till ur joints! #tile #handyman”. subway tile kitchen. Don’t use tile spacers with subway tile! original sound - Handy Dan.
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
6
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.
2 of 8
1
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.
The Amazing John Bridge
johnbridge.com › vbulletin › showthread.php
Subway tile and spacing - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums - John Bridge Ceramic Tile
Subway tile and spacing Tile Forum/Advice Board