2x8 Tile Pattern
The 2x8 running bond pattern lays a narrow 2"x8" tile — a 1:4 ratio — with a 50% offset between rows, producing the same brick-joint effect as subway tile but with a much narrower, more linear plank-like tile, sometimes referred to by the French term bâton rompu (broken stick).
Last updated: 2026-07-05
2x8 Tile Pattern
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.08x20.32 cm | 2 | 100.0% | 775 | 7.50 m² |
| Total | 2 | 100% | 775 | 7.50 m² |
What you'll need to buy
Tiles to buy
| 5.08x20.32 cm | 782 tiles | 8.07 m² |
Total 782 tiles · 8.07 m² (incl. 8% cuts & breakage)
Adhesive & grout
- Thin-set adhesive: ≈ 24.4 kg (2 × 50 lb bags) — recommended trowel: 10mm notch
- Grout — the tile sets the joint width, not you:
- ≈ 8.4 kg (1 × 25 lb bag) — 3mm joint, rectified / tight-set tile
- ≈ 14.0 kg (2 × 25 lb bags) — 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 2x8 Tile Pattern layout to your moodboard, or send the link to your tiler — it reopens with your room dimensions.
About the 2x8 Tile Pattern
The 1:4 proportion makes 2x8 tile read almost like a small wood plank, and the running-bond offset is what gives it the familiar brick-joint texture rather than a flooring-strip look.
The pattern is also known by the French term bâton rompu, historically used for herringbone parquet flooring but sometimes applied loosely to any narrow offset tile or plank layout, including by French-speaking installers in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 2x8 tile pattern called in French?
The offset layout of a narrow tile like 2x8 is sometimes referred to as bâton rompu ('broken stick') by French-speaking installers, though the term is more strictly associated with herringbone parquet flooring.
What offset is used for 2x8 tile?
A 50% offset is standard for 2x8 tile, matching the classic subway tile ratio even though the tile itself is narrower and more elongated.
Is 2x8 tile hard to install?
It's not inherently more difficult than other small-format tile, but the narrow 1:4 proportion means more linear feet of grout line per square foot, which can extend installation time.
How much waste should I allow for a 2x8 running bond layout?
A standard 10% waste allowance is typical, with a bit more for rooms with many corners or a decorative border.