Tile Samples
- Tile samples
- 4,997
- Price per sq ft
- $1.59 to $164.75
- Rectified edges
- 1,353
- Samples
- $4.99
Sizes compared
From our 4,997 tile samples. Prices are per sq ft.
| Size (in) | Tiles | From | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x24 | 583 | $1.79 | $8.15 |
| 24x48 | 534 | $1.99 | $10.05 |
| 24x24 | 289 | $3.55 | $9.45 |
| 2x2 | 156 | $8.29 | $23.70 |
| 7x48 | 144 | $2.29 | $3.27 |
| 12x12 | 126 | $2.69 | $12.79 |
| 48x48 | 123 | $5.65 | $11.65 |
| 9x60 | 116 | $2.55 | $4.15 |
How to choose and judge tile samples
A sample is cheap insurance on a full tile order, but only if you test it the right way.
Before you order. Narrow the choice to two to four finalists first; sampling a dozen tiles makes the decision harder, not easier. If you are torn between finishes, sample the same tile in matte and polished, since the difference is bigger in person than on screen. For natural stone tile, order more than one piece so you see part of the range.
When it arrives. Put the sample where it will be installed: on the floor, against the wall, beside the cabinet door and counter you are keeping. Look at it in morning light, at midday and at night under your own bulbs, because warm and cool lighting can push a white tile toward yellow or gray. Hold a grout color card against it too. Wet the face to see the wet color, but judge grip from the DCOF rating on the product page, not by touch. On marble tile, put a drop of lemon juice on one corner to see etching for yourself.
What it cannot tell you. A sample may be a cut piece rather than a full tile, so it will not show how a large format tile reads across a room or how often a printed pattern repeats. It may also differ slightly in shade from the boxes you receive, so treat it as a guide to color, finish and texture, not an exact match.
Questions
Are there free tile samples?
No. Every sample is paid, and the sample price is listed on each product page, so check it before you order. Paying for a sample is still far cheaper than reordering a full job in the wrong shade. Order your two to four finalists together so you can compare them side by side in the same light.
How many tile samples should I order?
Order two to four finalists, not every tile you like. Add a second piece of any natural stone or handmade tile to see the range of shade variation, and sample each finish you are considering, since matte and polished versions of one tile can look like different products. If floor and wall tiles must work together, sample both at once.
Will my tile order match the sample exactly?
Close, but not always exactly. Manufactured tile can shift slightly between batches, and natural stone and handmade tile vary from piece to piece, so one sample shows the character, not the exact shade of every box. Order the full job at once, check the shade codes on the cartons, open several boxes, and mix tiles from different boxes as you set them.
Can I test a stone sample for staining and etching?
Yes, and it is the best use of a stone sample. Put a few drops of lemon juice, vinegar, cooking oil and red wine on the face, wait, then wipe. Marble, limestone and travertine are calcite-based, so the acid spots will turn dull where they sat. Then seal half the sample and repeat: the sealer should slow the oil and wine stains, but the acid will still etch.
Why order a sample if the product photos look right?
Because screens shift color and flatten texture. A gray that looks neutral online can lean blue or green in a north-facing room, and a matte finish can feel chalky or rough in the hand. A tile sample settles undertone, sheen and edge in minutes, which matters most for whites, grays, stone and anything going next to cabinets or counters you are keeping.