White marble tile comes in more looks than most people expect: pure bright white, soft gray-veined, creamy, or dramatic with gold. This guide shows the main types of white marble, what each one looks like and how to choose. Ready to shop? Go straight to our white marble tile collection.
Types of White Marble and Their Names
Not all white marble is the same. Each stone has its own base color and vein, and each has its own name. If you are comparing white marble names, here are the white marble types we carry, from pure white marble to natural white marble with bold movement.
- Thassos White: the whitest marble, bright and crystalline with little to no veining.
- Oriental White: clean white with soft, light movement.
- Bianco Carrara: white to light gray with soft gray veins. The classic Italian white marble.
- Statuary White: bright white with bolder gray veining, in large field tiles.
- Calacatta Gold: white with dramatic gold and gray veins.
- Calacatta Oliva: white with bold, warm veining.
- Afyon White: a Turkish white marble in polished finish.
Not sure what makes one stone different from another? See stone types and what is marble.
The Whitest Marble: Thassos, Snow White and White Crystal Marble
Looking for the whitest marble? Thassos is the answer, a white crystalline marble. Its tight crystals give it a bright, almost sparkling look, which is why people search for white crystal marble, white marble crystals, white marbled crystal and white sparkle marble. If you want snow white marble or flawless-looking pure white marble, this is the stone to sample first. For a white plain marble look with almost no pattern, it is also the calmest choice. It is clean and minimal, great for a calm bathroom or a bright kitchen. Thassos also pairs well with accents: our basketweave mosaics come with black, blue-gray or ming-green dots.
Thassos comes from Greece, so it is the one to ask for if you want white Greek marble (also called Greek white marble or Greece white marble). Want to know why marble sparkles? Read how marble is formed.
White Marble Black Veins, Gray Veins and Gold Veining
White marble veining (also called white marble veins) gives the stone its personality, and white marble patterns range from a quiet cloud to bold streaks. The pattern is natural, so every tile differs; for how the veins form, see how marble is formed. Pick the look you love.
- White marble with gray veins (white marble grey veins, white marble gray veins): Carrara. Soft and timeless. A white marble with gray veins is the most classic look.
- White marble black veins (white marble black veining): the boldest contrast. Our white marbles carry soft gray veining, so for black veins against white, pair white with Nero Marquina or browse black and white marble tile.
- White marble with gold veins (gold veining): Calacatta Gold. Warm and dramatic. White and gold marble, or white marble with black and gold veins, is the luxe look: see black and white marble tile for the contrast.
- Little to no veining: Thassos and Oriental White.
- Marble with white veins: flip the idea with dark stone such as Nero Marquina, black with white veining.
For layouts that show off the veining, see stone tile patterns.
Compare the two Italian favorites in Calacatta vs. Carrara, or see the Calacatta Gold vs. Bianco Carrara article.
Black and White Marble Looks
Want marble white black, or white black marble? You have two easy routes. Use a white marble with black dots in a mosaic (our Thassos, Bianco Carrara and Oriental White basketweave and pinwheel mosaics come with black dots), or choose a white and black marble checkerboard. For a white marble tile with black veins feel, sample Carrara in your light and look at how dark its gray veins read; we do not promise a specific vein color tile to tile. Browse black and white marble tile and checkerboards. A white with black marble floor and a white and black marble texture on the wall can sit side by side.
Italian White Marble and Other Origins
Italian white marble (also searched as white marble Italy, white Italian marble and Italian marble white) is famous for a reason. Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario all come from Italy, and they set the standard for white Italian marbles. We also source white marble from Greece (Thassos), Turkiye (Afyon White) and Spain. Learn the story of the stone in Statuario marble and our how marble is formed guide.
White Marble Colors and Undertones
White marble color is never just one white. A cool white leans gray or blue-gray, a warm white marble leans cream. For a warm look, pair white with the beige of White Pearl Beige Botticino or the cream of Crema Marfil; for a white and beige marble mix, try a white and beige checkerboard. Want white on white marble, a tone-on-tone room? Pair Thassos with Oriental White in different finishes. See the full marble colors guide and the natural stone color codes for white marble colours across stones.
White Marble Tile Looks: Polished, Honed or Tumbled
Finish changes how white marble feels.
- Polished: glossy and bright. Browse polished marble tile.
- Honed: soft matte, calm and modern. Browse honed marble tile.
- Tumbled: a gentle, aged edge. Browse tumbled marble tile.
Not sure? Read honed vs. polished stone and polished vs. honed marble.
White Marble Tile Shapes and Sizes
White marble comes as field tile, mosaics, trims and checkerboards. Popular picks:
- Field tile: 12x12 white marble tile (also written 12 x 12), 12x24, 18x18 and 24x24.
- Mosaics: hexagon, herringbone, basketweave and penny-round.
- Brick: white marble brick mosaics in brick mosaics.
- Subway: marble subway tile.
- Checkerboard: checkerboard tiles, such as white with black or beige. See the checkerboard trend.
- Trims: matching trims and moldings.
Where to Use White Marble Tile
White marble brightens almost any room.
- Bathrooms: bathroom tile and shower floor mosaics.
- Kitchens: a marble backsplash, or tile for white cabinets.
- Floors: marble floor tile for entryways and living spaces.
- Accents: fireplace surrounds and feature walls.
Need help with the plan? See project planning and the buying guide.
How to Choose White Marble Tile
- Pick your vein level. Quiet (Thassos), soft (Carrara) or bold (Calacatta).
- Pick your undertone. Cool white or warm white. Use the natural stone color codes.
- Pick a finish. Polished for shine, honed for calm.
- Order samples. Light changes marble, and white marble samples are the easiest way to compare luxury white marble looks side by side. Any 5 samples are $25 and ship free: shop sample tiles.
- Match your lot. Our Same-Lot Guarantee keeps your tile consistent.
Local? Pick up in Anaheim. Compare with other color families in our marble colors guide.
Caring for White Marble
White marble is a natural stone, so a little care keeps it beautiful. Seal it, wipe spills and avoid harsh acids. Learn how with how to seal marble tile, how to clean marble floors, etching vs. staining and how to remove stains from marble.
Common questions
What are the types of white marble?
The main white marble types are Thassos, Oriental White, Bianco Carrara, Statuary, Calacatta Gold and Calacatta Oliva. They differ in base white, vein color and how bold the veining is. Each white marble name on this page is a stone we carry.
What is the whitest marble?
Thassos is the whitest marble we carry. It is bright and crystalline with little to no veining.
What is white marble with gray veins called?
Bianco Carrara is the classic white marble with soft gray veins. Statuary has bolder gray veining.
Which white marble has gold veins?
Calacatta Gold has white marble with dramatic gold and gray veins. Calacatta Oliva has bold, warm veining too.
Is there white marble with black veining?
For white marble with black veins, sample Bianco Carrara and check how dark its gray veins read in your light. For guaranteed black on white, choose mosaics with black dots or pair white with Nero Marquina in checkerboards. Browse black and white marble tile.
What are the white marble colors and undertones?
White marble color ranges from cool bright white (Thassos) to soft gray-white (Carrara) to warm white and cream. Marble white colour changes with light, so compare white colour marble samples at home. Our color codes page helps match tones.
Which white marble is from Greece or Italy?
Greek white marble is Thassos. White Italian marbles include Carrara, Calacatta and Statuary. White marble from Italy is the classic choice for gray or gold veins.
Why does white marble sparkle?
White marble crystals catch the light. Thassos has the tightest crystals, so it reads as white sparkle marble. Honed finishes look softer and polished ones look brighter.
Where can I find white marble samples?
Order white marble samples from our sample shop. Any 5 samples are $25 and ship free, so you can compare snow white, pure white and gray-veined stones in your own light.
Do you carry white marble with green, brown, blue or red veins?
Not as a natural vein color in our white marbles. Their veins are gray, black-leaning gray or gold. For color, add accents: our basketweave mosaics come with black, blue-gray or ming-green dots.
Where does Italian white marble come from?
Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario marble are all quarried in Italy. We source from Italy, Spain, Turkiye and Greece.
Should I choose polished or honed white marble?
Polished is glossy and bright. Honed is soft and matte and hides light wear better. Order both as samples and compare in your own light.
How do I pick the right white marble tile?
Choose your vein level, your undertone and your finish, then order samples. Any 5 samples are $25 and ship free.