Tile sizes explained: 300x600, 600x600, 600x1200 and large format

Tile size is one of the quickest ways to change the feel of a room. Small tiles add pattern and grip. Large tiles calm a space down and make it feel bigger. The size also affects how the floor needs to be prepared, how the tiler handles falls in a shower, and how much is wasted in cuts. Here is a guide to the common sizes and where they work best.

Common tile sizes at a glance

Size (mm)	Typical use
Mosaic, under 100	Shower floors, niches, splashbacks, curves
75x300, 100x300	Subway wall tiles, splashbacks
300x600	Bathroom walls, smaller floors
600x600	Floors throughout the house
200x1200	Timber look planks
600x1200	Large floors and feature walls
1200x1200 and larger	Open plan floors, slab style walls

Exact sizes vary slightly by range, and a nominal 600x600 tile may measure a few millimetres less to allow for the grout joint. Always check the specification.

300x600: the bathroom wall workhorse

300x600mm tiles are the most common wall tile size in Australian bathrooms. They are big enough to look clean and modern, small enough to handle easily on a wall, and they suit both horizontal and vertical layouts. Laid vertically, they draw the eye up and make a ceiling feel higher.

600x600: the all rounder

600x600mm tiles suit most floors, from bathrooms to kitchens and living areas. They give a tidy grid with moderate grout lines and are easier to lay on a floor that is not perfectly flat than larger tiles. In a small bathroom, 600x600 on the floor with 300x600 on the walls is a classic, balanced combination.

600x1200 and large format

600x1200mm tiles and larger give a sleek, seamless look with very few grout lines. They are popular in open plan living areas and as feature walls behind vanities or beds. Things to plan for:

• Flat substrate. Large tiles show any dips or humps, so the floor or wall may need levelling first.
• Weight and handling. They are heavy and need two people and the right tools.
• Shower falls. A large tile cannot bend to a centre waste, so use a linear drain along one edge, or a mosaic inside the shower.
• Layout offset. Long tiles can have a slight bow, so many manufacturers recommend limiting a brick offset to around a third of the tile length rather than half.

Planks and timber looks

Long, narrow planks such as 200x1200mm suit timber look tiles. They can be laid straight, in a staggered pattern or in herringbone. Like other long tiles, they need a flat floor and a controlled offset.

Mosaics and small formats

Mosaic tiles come on mesh sheets and are ideal for shower floors because they follow the fall to the waste and add grip through the grout lines. They also wrap curves, niches and rounded vanity fronts. Finger and hexagon shapes add texture to feature walls and splashbacks.

Does tile size suit room size?

A common myth is that small rooms need small tiles. In practice, larger tiles often make a small bathroom feel bigger because there are fewer grout lines breaking up the surface. The exceptions are shower floors, where drainage matters more, and very small, oddly shaped rooms where large tiles mean lots of cuts and waste.

Rectified edges and grout joints

Rectified tiles are machined after firing so every edge is straight and every tile is the same size. They allow thinner grout joints, often around 2mm to 3mm, which suits a seamless look. Non rectified tiles have softer edges and usually need a slightly wider joint. Read our grout guide for joint widths and colours.

Working out quantities

Measure each surface, calculate the area in square metres, and add an allowance for cuts and breakages. Many tilers add around 10 percent, and more for diagonal or herringbone layouts or large tiles with lots of cuts. Our existing guide on measuring your bathroom for tiles walks through it, or book a free measure and we will do it for you.

Tiles at Porcelana are call to order. Compare sizes at full scale in our Reservoir or Geelong showroom before you decide.

Related: large format tiles guide and subway tiles guide.

Common questions

What is the most popular bathroom wall tile size?

300x600mm is the most common wall tile size in Australian bathrooms. It suits horizontal and vertical layouts and is easy to handle.

Are 600x1200 tiles suitable for a shower floor?

They can be, with a linear drain and careful falls, but many bathrooms use a mosaic inside the shower so the floor can grade to a centre waste.

How much extra tile should I order?

Many tilers allow around 10 percent for cuts and breakages, and more for herringbone, diagonal layouts or rooms with lots of cuts.

Close to Thornbury, Preston and Northcote

Our Reservoir showroom is minutes from the inner north. See our local pages for bathroom tiles and tapware near Thornbury, bathroom renovations near Preston and the tile shop near Northcote, or browse all areas we serve.

Visit us or shop online

See the range in person at our showrooms: Geelong at 35A Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, phone (03) 5223 2765, and Reservoir at 214 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, phone (03) 9867 5051. Both are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday 9:30am to 3:00pm, and Sunday by appointment only.

Planning a renovation? Request a quote and a free measure, and ask us to include installation by our qualified trades if you would like it quoted. Prefer to shop from home? Order online with Australia-wide delivery, or pick up from either showroom, usually ready in 2 to 4 days.