18x18 Tile — Running Bond
The 18x18 running bond pattern lays the same square 18"x18" tile with a 1/3 offset between rows, rather than the standard 50% half-lap, following industry guidance to limit lippage on tile 15 inches or larger on a side.
Last updated: 2026-07-05
18x18 Tile — Running Bond
Opuslay — tile layout worksheet- Room:
- 3 m × 2.5 m
- Units:
- Metric (cm / m²)
- Anchor:
- Left · Top
- Layout angle:
- Straight
- Tile colours:
- Single colour
Material breakdown
| Format | Qty / Pattern | Share | Qty / Room | Area / Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45x45 cm | 3 | 100.0% | 44 | 7.50 m² |
| Total | 3 | 100% | 44 | 7.50 m² |
What you'll need to buy
Tiles to buy
| 45x45 cm | 45 tiles | 9.11 m² |
Total 45 tiles · 9.11 m² (incl. 22% cuts & breakage)
Adhesive & grout
- Thin-set adhesive: ≈ 40.5 kg (2 × 50 lb bags) — recommended trowel: 12mm notch, large format
- Grout — the tile sets the joint width, not you:
- ≈ 1.5 kg (1 × 10 lb bag) — 3mm joint, rectified / tight-set tile
- ≈ 2.5 kg (1 × 10 lb bag) — 5mm joint, natural or non-rectified tile
Adhesive: allow a little over on an uneven substrate, or if you back-butter large tiles — both eat more than a flat bed.
Grout: the 25 lb bag is the usual size (10 lb for small jobs). Buy it in one go and stick to a single bag size: bags from different batches can dry to slightly different shades.
It's the tile that decides the joint, not the setter — dry-lay a section to find your width. Assumes 9.5mm tile depth; adjust for your product — thicker tiles need more.
Share & export
Save the 18x18 Tile — Running Bond layout to your moodboard, or send the link to your tiler — it reopens with your room dimensions.
About the 18x18 Tile — Running Bond
Because 18-inch tile falls into the size range where ANSI A108.02 recommends a maximum 1/3 offset, running bond on 18x18 tile always uses this reduced ratio rather than the traditional half-lap seen on smaller subway-style tile.
Running bond on a square tile like 18x18 is a deliberate design choice rather than a default, typically selected to introduce texture or break up a large, uniform floor area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What offset should I use for 18x18 running bond?
A 1/3 offset is recommended for 18x18 tile rather than a 50% offset, per ANSI A108.02 guidance for tile 15 inches or larger on a side, to reduce lippage risk.
Why not use a 50% offset on 18x18 tile?
At 18 inches, a full half-lap offset increases the risk of visible lippage if the tile has any slight warp, so the industry-recommended maximum for this size is closer to 1/3.
Is running bond a common choice for 18x18 tile?
It's less common than the standard straight grid, but is sometimes chosen for larger floors to add subtle texture without moving to a smaller, busier tile size.
How much waste should I allow for a 18x18 running bond floor?
A standard 10% waste allowance applies, similar to a stack bond layout — offset itself does not significantly change material needs.
Prefer a straight grid look instead? See the stack bond (straight grid) layout