How Are Marble Tiles Sized?

Standard Marble Tile Sizes

3x6 is a Standard Marble Tile Sizemarble tiles image by javarman from Fotolia.com

While each manufacturer of tiles, particularly those cut in Europe will have slight variations in size from one another, there are some standard sizes of tile available. These sizes will typically include 5/8, 1, 2, 4, 3 x 6, 6, 8, 12, 16, 18, 12 x 24 and 24-inch tiles.

Tile Measurements Vary by Manufacturermarble,granite,man image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com

Polished and honed marble tiles have straight, square edges. Therefore, within one lot of tile, each tile will be the same size as the next, allowing for tight, even grout joints. The actual sizes of the tile will vary by manufacturer; tiles produced in Europe will be produced with metric measurements and be slightly smaller than those produced in the United States.

Tumbled marble is produced when pieces of marble are placed in a drum and tumbled with rocks, pieces of concrete or metal. This results in a worn face, and uneven edge. Therefore, sizes of tile may differ within one lot or box and a wide grout joint is required to make up for the size differences.

Tiles with a smooth face, but a fractured, chiseled edge will also vary in size from piece to piece within one lot. These cobbled edges are typically produced by hand, which means that the eye of the craftsman is what is used to produce the edge, not a hard and fast measurement.

Random Sized Marble Tiles Come Mounted on Sheetsmarble surface image by Catabu from Fotolia.com

Random sized marble tiles, netted onto one sheet are a popular material for spa bathrooms. These tiles will be mounted onto 12 inch, interlocking sheets, although the pieces of marble themselves can vary in size up as much as 2 inches.