Subway Tile Size

General Information

• Subway tiles were traditionally white and polished, but contemporary tiles come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Subway tiles may be ceramic, glass, stone or porcelain. They may also be polished or tumbled and are available in shades of white, beige, pink, blue, green, orange, gray, red and brown.

Classic Size

• Traditional subway tiles were smaller than the contemporary tiles today. Previously, the standard size was 2 inches by 6 inches. Some subway tiles are still available in this size, but they are not as readily available.

Contemporary Size

• Today's standard subway tile size is 3 inches by 6 inches. Other sizes are also available, including a larger 4-inch-by-8-inch size. A 4-inch-by-12-inch size is also available. Smaller subway tiles, sometimes referred to as "mini" subway tiles, are available in various sizes, such as a 1-inch-by-2-inch, a 1-inch-by-4-inch model or 1/2-inch-by-2-inch size. Mosaic subway tiles are square and can be as small as 1/2 inch in size. A typical thickness is 8 mm.

Shape

• The shape of the subway tile can make a slight difference in the size. Some subway tiles have edges that are rectified. Rectified tiles are baked in sheets in a kiln, then cut to size, and have precise straight edges. Grout lines for rectified subway tiles can be about 1/16 inch in size. Many subway tiles have a beveled edge. A deep grout line or a pencil-thin grout line can be used in combination with subway tile to make a slight difference in the amount of space your subway tiles will take up.