Natural Stone Wall Tile: Sizes, Uses and Floor Questions
Quick answerNatural stone wall tile is marble, travertine, dolomite or onyx made for vertical surfaces; thicker stone with a honed or tumbled finish can also suit floors, but check each product page and confirm with your installer.
Natural stone wall tile turns a plain wall into a feature. Marble, travertine, dolomite and onyx all work on walls, and the right size, finish and pattern make the difference. This guide explains what wall tile is, how it differs from floor tile, whether wall tiles can go on floors, how to pick sizes and how to measure. To shop now, see our wall tiles, or start with the Stone Encyclopedia.
What Is Wall Tile?
Wall tile is any tile made to be installed on a vertical surface. Wall tiles are often lighter and sometimes thinner than floor tiles, because a wall does not carry foot traffic. Many wall tiles have a polished or glossy face that would be slippery underfoot. In natural stone, the stone itself is the same material either way; what changes is the finish, the thickness and the way the maker rates the tile for use. Always read the product page for the intended use.
Natural stone wall tile is quarried marble, travertine, dolomite or onyx, cut into field tile, mosaics, ledger panels and trim. Every piece carries its own veining and color, so a wall of stone has a depth that printed tile cannot match. Learn the basics in what is marble, what is travertine and what is dolomite.
Wall Tiles and Floor Tiles: What Is the Difference?
Floor tile has to handle weight, foot traffic and grip. Wall tile mainly has to look good and stay bonded to the wall. That is why wall tile can be more delicate, more polished, or more heavily textured. A few differences to know:
- Thickness and strength: floor tile is usually chosen for strength; wall tile can be lighter.
- Surface: floors need grip, so honed, tumbled or brushed finishes are common underfoot. Walls can take a high polish.
- Setting: walls need the right mortar and good prep so heavy stone stays put. See the mortar and thinset guide.
Can You Use Wall Tiles on Floors?
Sometimes, but not automatically. People often ask can wall tiles be used on floors, can wall tile be used as floor tile, and whether wall tiles or floor tiles come first. The honest answer is that it depends on the tile. A wall tile that is thin, very glossy or not rated for floors can crack or feel slippery. A thicker stone tile with a honed, tumbled or brushed finish is a safer floor choice.
Our listings tell you the intended use, so check the product page, and ask your installer to confirm the tile suits a floor. If you are planning a floor, start with the natural stone floor tile guide and browse natural stone floor tile, marble floor tile or travertine floor tile.
Wall Tiles or Floor Tiles First?
Many installers set the floor first so the wall tile can sit on top of it, others tile the walls first and drop the floor tile in last. It depends on the room, the trim and the plan, so ask your installer and read the installation guide. A short project planning page helps you decide the order before you buy.
Natural Stone Wall Tile Types and Looks
Marble Wall Tile
Marble wall tile is classic and bright. Try white marble, Bianco Carrara, Calacatta Gold or Thassos White. For rich color, see Ming Green, Empress Green and Nero Marquina. Browse the full marble collection.
Travertine Wall Tile
Travertine has a warm, natural, slightly textured look. See travertine tile, Ivory Light, Noce and Silver Pewter Blend. Stacked ledger panels in some travertines give a dimensional feature wall.
Dolomite and Onyx Wall Tile
Dolomite is a durable marble alternative with a clean look. Onyx and Honey Onyx glow warmly and make a striking accent. Read white onyx tile for more.
Wall Tile Sizes
Wall tile sizes range from tiny mosaics to large panels. Small sizes bend around curves and suit backsplashes; large sizes mean fewer grout lines and a calmer wall. Common stone sizes include 3x6 subway, 4x4, 6x6, 12x12, 12x24 and 24x24, though the sizes vary by stone, so check each product page.
- Small and mosaic: mosaics, hexagon and herringbone for backsplashes and accents.
- Subway: marble subway tile for a timeless wall.
- Medium: 4x4 and 6x6 for classic grids.
- Large: 12x24, 24x24 and large-format stone tile for a seamless look.
Pick the pattern with stone tile patterns and the tile layout guide.
How to Measure for Wall Tile
Measuring is simple. Multiply the height of the wall by its width to get the area in square feet. Do this for every wall you will tile, then add them together. Subtract large openings like windows and doors, but keep a note of them. Then add extra for cuts and breakage, because stone is cut to fit and you want spare tiles for later. Our tile calculator does the math for you, and the quantity and layout review can double check your numbers. Buy everything from one lot for the best match, see the same-lot guarantee.
Where to Use Natural Stone Wall Tile
- Kitchen backsplash: see backsplash tile and kitchen tile.
- Bathroom and shower walls: shower wall tile and bathroom tile. In wet areas, natural stone needs sealing and a proper waterproofing system, so follow your installer.
- Fireplace: fireplace tile makes a strong focal wall.
- Living room and entry: living room and entryway feature walls.
Finishes, Grout and Care
A polished wall is glossy and bright. A honed wall is soft and matte, and hides marks better. Compare them in honed vs polished stone and stone tile finishes. Choose grout from the grout guide, and finish edges with stone trims and edges. Seal stone as needed and clean it gently, see care and maintenance and how to seal marble tile.
Order Samples First
Stone looks different on a wall in your own light. Any 5 samples are $25 and ship free via shop sample tiles. Use the matching tool or contact us with questions. More reading: the buying guide and natural stone bathroom tile.
Common questions
What is wall tile?
Wall tile is tile made for vertical surfaces such as backsplashes, shower walls and feature walls. It can be lighter and glossier than floor tile because it does not carry foot traffic.
What are wall tiles made of in natural stone?
Natural stone wall tiles are cut from marble, travertine, dolomite or onyx. They come as field tiles, mosaics, ledger panels and trim.
Can you use wall tiles on floors?
Sometimes. A thick stone tile with a honed, tumbled or brushed finish can work on a floor, but a thin or glossy wall tile may crack or feel slippery. Check the product page and ask your installer.
Can wall tile be used as floor tile?
Only if it is made for floors or suits your use. Wall tile is not always strong or grippy enough underfoot, so confirm before you buy.
What is the difference between wall tiles and floor tiles?
Floor tile is chosen for strength and grip, while wall tile can be lighter and more polished. In natural stone the material is the same, so thickness and finish matter most.
Should I install wall tiles or floor tiles first?
It depends on the room and trim. Many installers do the floor first so wall tile sits on it, others tile the walls first. Ask your installer.
What wall tile sizes are common?
Common stone sizes are small mosaics, 3x6 subway, 4x4, 6x6, 12x12, 12x24 and 24x24. Sizes vary by stone, so check each product page.
What size wall tile is best?
Small tiles suit backsplashes and curves, large tiles give fewer grout lines and a calmer wall. Medium sizes like 4x4 and 6x6 give a classic grid.
How do I measure for wall tile?
Multiply wall height by width to get square feet, add the walls together and subtract large openings. Then add extra for cuts and breakage. Our tile calculator does the math.
How much extra wall tile should I order?
Add extra for cuts and breakage, and keep spares for future repairs. Stone is cut to fit, so extra is important. Our quantity and layout review can double check your numbers.
Is marble good for wall tile?
Yes. Marble is a classic wall tile with natural veining. It is a soft stone, so seal it and follow the care guide.
Is travertine good for walls?
Yes. Travertine has a warm, textured look and suits backsplashes, fireplaces and feature walls. Some travertines come as stacked ledger panels.
Can natural stone wall tile go in a shower?
Yes, with care. Natural stone needs sealing in wet areas and a proper waterproofing system as your installer specifies.
Are polished or honed tiles better for walls?
Both work. Polished is glossy and bright, honed is soft and matte and hides marks better. Order samples to compare.