Quick answer
Tile lippage is the difference in height between the edges of two tiles that sit next to each other, so that one tile edge stands proud of its neighbor across the grout joint.
Some lippage is allowed by the tile standard, because every tile has slight warp. Too much is a trip hazard, chips easily and looks uneven in side light.
Quick facts
The key facts about Tile Lippage, with sources:
- Joints 1/8 to under 1/4 inch
- 1/32 inch plus the tile’s inherent warpage (2023 edition) 2
- Joints 1/4 inch or wider
- 1/16 inch plus the tile’s inherent warpage 2
- Gauged porcelain panels
- 1/32 inch, with nothing added for warpage 2
- Main cause
- An uneven substrate, or thin-set used to make up for one 1
- Floor flatness for large tile
- 1/8 inch in 10 feet and 1/16 inch in 24 inches 1
Key takeaways
- Lippage is one tile edge sitting higher than the tile next to it.
- The standard allows a small amount, about 1/32 or 1/16 inch plus the tile’s actual warp, depending on joint width.
- Most lippage starts with a floor or wall that is not flat enough for the tile size.
- Long tiles in a 50% offset pattern are the most likely to show it.
- Raking light can make lippage look worse than it measures, so agree on lighting and a mock-up early.
Lippage in plain English
Run your hand across a tiled floor. If you feel a small ledge where one tile meets the next, that is lippage.
ANSI A108.02 describes lippage as differences in elevation between edges of adjacent tile 1.
The Tile Council of North America adds that it is inherent in all installation methods and can be unavoidable because of tile tolerances 1.
So the question is not whether lippage exists. It is how much. The tile standard sets an allowable amount, based on grout joint width and on how much the actual tile is warped.
Lippage matters for more than looks. Tile consultant Donato Pompo lists chipped edges, noise from vacuums and wheelchairs, and trip risk among its problems when it is excessive 2.
Large modern tiles make it harder to avoid. Long rectangles warp more along their length, and narrow grout joints leave less room to even them out 2.
How lippage happens
Several small factors stack up. Each one adds a little height difference at the edge.
- An uneven substrate. High and low spots in the floor tilt the tiles. Laticrete says most lippage comes from an uneven substrate or thin-set used to compensate for one 1.
- Tile warpage. Every tile has some bow. The tile spec, ANSI A137.1, allows a set amount, measured under ASTM C485 1.
- Pattern. In a 50% offset, the high middle of one long tile lands next to the low ends of its neighbors. CTEF calls this the main source of trouble with long planks 4.
- Thickness variation. Tiles in one box can differ slightly in thickness 1.
- Workmanship. Uneven trowel coverage and poor bedding leave tiles at different heights 2.
- Lighting. Side light throws shadows at the joints, making small lippage look large 2.
- Substrate not flatHigh and low spots
- Tile warpBowed long edges
- Offset patternHigh middle meets low ends
- Setting variationUneven mortar bed
- Side lightingShadows exaggerate edges
Allowable lippage by tile and joint
| Tile and joint | Allowable lippage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic or porcelain, joint 1/8 to under 1/4 inch | 1/32 inch plus the tile’s inherent warpage | ANSI A108.02-2023 4.4 2 |
| Ceramic or porcelain, joint 1/4 inch or wider | 1/16 inch plus the tile’s inherent warpage | ANSI A108.02-2023 4.4 2 |
| Gauged porcelain tile, panels or slabs, any joint | 1/32 inch, nothing added | ANSI A108.02-2023 4.4 2 |
| Natural stone tile | 1/32 inch | NSI Dimension Stone Design Manual 2022 2 |
| Floors sloping to a drain, tile 6 x 6 inch and larger | Lippage limits do not apply | ANSI A108.02-2023 4.4 caution 3 |
“Inherent warpage” means actual warpage
TCNA’s 2025 Handbook reads inherent warpage as the actual warp of the tile being installed, not the maximum the tile spec would allow. Adding the maximum to the limit would give an unreasonable number 3.
Example: checking lippage on a 12 x 24 floor
This applies the 2023 limits 2 to example measurements. The warp figure is an illustration; measure your own tiles.
| Step | Figure | How it was found |
|---|---|---|
| Grout joint | 1/8 inch | From the contract |
| Base allowance for that joint | 1/32 inch (about 0.031 in) | ANSI A108.02-2023 4.4 2 |
| Actual warp of the tile | 0.020 inch, example | Measured on uninstalled tiles from the job |
| Allowable lippage | 0.031 + 0.020 = about 0.051 inch | Base plus actual warpage |
| Measured lippage at a joint | 0.090 inch, example | Feeler gauge at the high edge |
| Result | Over the limit | 0.090 is well above 0.051 |
Two cautions follow. First, measure warp on actual tiles, not the maximum the tile spec permits 3. Second, check whether the floor was flat enough for the tile size before blaming the installer; a floor out of flat makes these numbers hard to meet 1.
Where lippage shows up
Under side light. Low sun through a patio door or wall-washing lights make every edge cast a shadow. TCNA warns that wall-washer and cove lighting can produce shadows on tile 3.
On long plank tile. Wood-look planks in a staggered pattern show it most 4.
Near drains and slopes. Shower floors that slope to a drain naturally create some lippage with larger tiles 3.
In the contract. A good tile scope names the tile, layout, offset, grout joint and floor prep. Our bathroom remodeling guide and contracts guide cover what to write down.
Approve a mock-up under real light
Ask for a small mock-up of tile, pattern and grout joint under the room’s actual lighting before the job starts. Pompo recommends the mock-up include the specified lighting and become the standard for the work 3.
Why controlling lippage pays off
Low lippage
What the lippage limit does not promise
The standard does not promise a perfectly flat surface. It allows a small step plus the tile’s actual warp. Some tiles, such as handmade or ungauged stone, are meant to vary, and lippage limits do not suit them 2.
Measurement is also tricky. Lippage is measured at the edges of adjacent tiles, not across a whole room. A floor can meet the lippage limit and still be out of flat over 10 feet.
Finally, appearance and measurement can disagree. Pompo notes that end users sometimes see lippage even when everything is within tolerance, because of lighting 3.
What drives the cost of avoiding lippage
We do not publish tile prices. Avoiding lippage costs most where the floor needs work. Grinding high spots and filling low ones, or pouring a self-leveling underlayment, adds a step before tile 1. Large tiles need a flatter floor, so the bigger the tile, the more prep you should expect.
Other drivers include leveling clip systems, setting large tile with special mortars, and slower setting on long planks. Choosing a 33% offset instead of 50% can reduce the risk without extra cost 4.
Fixing lippage after the fact is the expensive path, since tiles usually must be removed. Plan the job with the flooring calculator and the bathroom remodel cost calculator.
How installers prevent lippage
Prevention is mostly preparation. These steps follow manufacturer guidance and the tile standards.
- Check the floor against the flatness the tile needs: for tiles with an edge 15 inches or longer, no more than 1/8 inch in 10 feet and 1/16 inch in 24 inches 1.
- Grind high spots and fill low spots, or use a self-leveling underlayment 12.
- Check a sample of tiles for warp and choose rectified tile if you want narrow joints 3.
- Pick the layout. For tiles over 18 inches on the offset side, the standard limits the offset to 33% unless the tile maker says otherwise 1.
- Set the grout joint wide enough for the tile’s size variation and warp 4.
- Back-butter and bed each tile fully; consider leveling clips as an aid, not a fix for a bad floor 2.
- Check edges with a straightedge as work goes, while the mortar is still workable.
Living with a tiled floor
- Use felt pads under furniture so chair legs do not catch on raised edges.
- Watch for chipped edges and fill them before they spread.
- Keep grout intact, since broken grout lets edges move.
- Avoid heavy point loads on large tiles with hollow spots.
- Re-check after settlement in a new addition, where framing can shrink in the first year.
Warning signs and when to call a pro
- Edges you can catch with a fingernail or a sock.
- Chips along raised edges.
- Hollow sounds when tapping tiles, a sign of poor bond.
- Lippage that gets worse over time, which can mean the floor or bond is moving.
- Trip points in walkways or near doors.
Grinding tile releases silica dust
Grinding down high tile edges or removing tile makes dust that can contain crystalline silica, which OSHA links to silicosis and lung cancer 5. Use wet methods or dust collection and respiratory protection, or leave it to a pro. Grinding can also damage the glaze.
If lippage is new or growing, have a tile contractor or inspector check the bond and the floor structure. If it is a dispute over new work, ask for measurements against the edition of ANSI A108.02 named in your contract.
Standards for lippage
ANSI A108.02-2023, Section 4.4. For grout joints from 1/8 to under 1/4 inch, allowable lippage is 1/32 inch plus the tile’s inherent warpage. For joints 1/4 inch or wider, it is 1/16 inch plus warpage.
Gauged porcelain tile, panels and slabs are held to 1/32 inch with nothing added 2. Earlier editions, quoted by Laticrete, applied the 1/32 inch figure to joints from 1/16 inch 1. Contracts should name the edition.
TCNA Handbook 2025. TCNA reads inherent warpage as the actual warpage of the tile installed 3.
Natural stone. The Natural Stone Institute’s 2022 Dimension Stone Design Manual limits lippage to 1/32 inch for stone tile 2.
Substrate flatness. Industry guidance cited by Laticrete calls for 1/4 inch in 10 feet for tiles under 15 inches and 1/8 inch in 10 feet for tiles with an edge of 15 inches or more 1. These are industry standards, not building code; codes rarely address lippage.
Lippage vs related tile terms
| Term | What it is | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Lippage | Height difference between adjacent tile edges 1 | Measured edge to edge |
| Warpage | Bow in a single tile, measured under ASTM C485 1 | A tile property that causes some lippage |
| Substrate flatness | How flat the floor is over 10 feet or 24 inches 1 | The main root cause |
| Grout joint | The filled gap between tiles | Wider joints help hide lippage |
| Self-leveling underlayment | A pourable layer that flattens floors 1 | A common way to prevent it |
Common lippage myths
- Myth Any lippage means bad work.
- Reality The standard allows a small amount plus the tile’s actual warpage 2.
- Myth You can add the tile spec’s maximum warpage to the limit.
- Reality TCNA reads inherent warpage as the actual warp of the installed tile 3.
- Myth Leveling clips solve everything.
- Reality Clips help, but they cannot fix a floor that is out of flat 21.
- Myth A 50% offset is always fine.
- Reality For long tiles the standard limits offsets to 33% unless the tile maker allows more 14.
- Myth If it looks uneven, it must be out of tolerance.
- Reality Side lighting can make in-tolerance lippage look bad 3.
Is lippage a local issue?
No. Lippage limits come from national industry standards, not local code, so they are the same in every state. The local factors are the house and the trade.
Older homes with wood floors that sag or bounce need more prep before large tile. In a new addition, framing can shrink as it dries.
Contractor licensing for tile work varies by state, which you can check before hiring.
When lippage should shape your tile choice
It matters most with large or long tiles, glossy finishes, narrow joints, staggered layouts and rooms with side light. In those cases, budget for floor prep, choose rectified tile, ask about a 33% offset and agree on a mock-up.
It matters less with small tiles, matte finishes and wider joints. Put the tile, layout, joint, floor prep and standard edition in the contract, and compare bids with the quote comparison tool.
- If Long plank tile in a 50% offset
- Then Switch to 33% or ask the tile maker what it allows
- If Tile edge 15 inches or longer
- Then Ask how the floor will be flattened to 1/8 inch in 10 feet
- If Glossy tile under a big window
- Then Approve a mock-up in that light
- If Edges catch feet after install
- Then Measure against the edition in your contract
Questions about Tile Lippage
How much tile lippage is acceptable?
Under ANSI A108.02-2023, lippage up to 1/32 inch plus the tile’s actual warpage is allowed for grout joints from 1/8 to under 1/4 inch. For joints 1/4 inch or wider, it is 1/16 inch plus warpage. Gauged porcelain panels are held to 1/32 inch with nothing added, and natural stone to 1/32 inch.
What causes tile lippage?
The main cause is a floor or wall that is not flat enough, or thin-set used to make up for it.
Tile warp, thickness variation, offset patterns and installer skill add to it.
Long tiles in a 50% offset are the most prone, because the bowed middle of one tile meets the low ends of its neighbors.
How do you measure tile lippage?
Lay a straightedge across the joint and measure the gap at the low tile with a feeler gauge, or use a lippage gauge. Measure at several joints. Then measure the warp of a few uninstalled tiles from the job. Compare the result with the limit for your joint width plus the actual warp.
Can tile lippage be fixed without removing tiles?
Rarely. Grinding raised edges can lower a few spots but can damage the glaze and creates silica dust. Most fixes mean lifting the affected tiles, cleaning off the mortar and resetting them. On a large area with a floor problem, the fix may be a full tear-out and floor prep.
Do tile leveling systems prevent lippage?
They help. Leveling clips pull adjacent tile edges to the same height while the mortar sets. Tile consultants warn they work only if the floor is flat enough and the tile is fully bedded. They do not replace substrate prep, and they cannot remove warp in the middle of a tile.
Why does my tile look uneven only at certain times of day?
Side light is likely the cause. Low sun or wall-washing lights cast shadows at each joint, making even small, in-tolerance lippage look large. TCNA warns about wall-washer and cove lighting with tile. Check the floor with a straightedge to see whether the lippage is real or mostly a lighting effect.
What offset is best to avoid lippage?
For tiles over 18 inches on the offset side, ANSI A108.02 limits the offset to 33% unless the tile maker specifies otherwise. A 33% offset keeps the high middle of one tile from landing on the low ends of its neighbors. Larger offsets need an approved mock-up and agreed lippage expectations.
How flat does a floor need to be for large tile?
For tiles with an edge of 15 inches or more, industry guidance calls for no more than 1/8 inch variation in 10 feet and 1/16 inch in 24 inches, measured from the high points.
Smaller tiles allow 1/4 inch in 10 feet and 1/16 inch in 12 inches. Your installer should check this before setting any tile.
Does lippage matter in a shower?
Yes, but sloped shower floors are a special case. The 2023 standard cautions that lippage limits do not apply to floors sloping to drains when using tiles 6 x 6 inches and larger, because the slope itself creates height differences. Smaller tiles or a linear drain with a single-plane slope reduce it.
Sources
- Laticrete, TDS 164 Lippage: Causes and Prevention, retrieved .
- Construction Specifier, Tile and Stone Lippage: What Is Acceptable and How Do You Specify It? (Donato Pompo), retrieved .
- CTaSC, Tile and Stone Lippage: What Is Acceptable, Update (Donato Pompo), retrieved .
- Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, Offsets, Grout Joints and Customer Expectations (May 2025), retrieved .
- OSHA, Silica, Crystalline, retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreRemodel Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: The 2023 lippage limits and the NSI stone figure come from Donato Pompo’s Construction Specifier article and its CTaSC update, which quote ANSI A108.02-2023 Section 4.4 and the TCNA 2025 Handbook; we did not read the paid standards.
Earlier-edition limits, flatness tolerances and the 33% offset rule come from Laticrete TDS 164. The offset mechanism comes from CTEF. The worked example uses illustrative warp and lippage measurements. No prices are given.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.