How Many Tile Levelling Clips Do You Need Per Tile?

⏱️  Average read time: 2 minutes
✏️  Written by: Dipak Patel, Head of Tile Warehouse

Why Tile Levelling Clips Matter

Tile levelling clips (used with wedges or reusable caps) pull neighbouring tiles into the same plane while the adhesive cures. They dramatically reduce lippage and are especially helpful with large-format porcelain and rooms with raking light.

New to levelling systems? Read: How to use tile levelling clips.

Rules of Thumb

• Small/standard wall tiles (≤ 300×300mm): ~4 clips per tile.
• 600×600 floor tiles: ~6 clips per tile.
• 1200×200 planks: 2–3 clips along each long edge + 1 near each short end.

Shop the essentials: tile levelling systems, levelling clips, levelling wedges, or an all-in-one tile levelling kit.

Placement Tips

• Keep clips 50–100mm from corners.
• Place clips where tiles meet, not mid-tile.
• Use spacers to maintain consistent joints: tile spacers (guide: how to use tile spacers).

For quicker tightening on larger tiles, use: DEX Tile Levelling Pliers.

Mini Calculator: How Many Clips Do I Need?

Use this quick formula to estimate clips for any room size:

1) Tile area (m²)
tile_area_m2 = (tile_length_mm ÷ 1000) × (tile_width_mm ÷ 1000)

2) Tiles needed
tiles_needed = (area_m2 ÷ tile_area_m2) × (1 + waste%)

3) Clips needed
clips_needed = tiles_needed × clips_per_tile

Example (600×600 tiles over 20m²):

• Tile area: 0.6 × 0.6 = 0.36m²
• Tiles (no waste): 20 ÷ 0.36 = 55.6 → ~56 tiles
• Add 10–15% waste: ~62–64 tiles
• At ~6 clips/tile: ~372–384 clips

Worked Example

20m² of 600×600 porcelain ≈ 56–58 tiles. At ~6 clips/tile → 336–350 clips. Add 10–15% buffer: order ~380–400 clips.

Tip: removal timing matters. Read: When to remove tile levelling clips.

Wedges vs Reusable Caps

• Wedges: lower upfront cost and widely available (clips are sacrificial). Pair with levelling wedges.
• Reusable caps: higher upfront cost, but reusable and fast to tension (ideal for repeat projects).

Don’t Skip the Basics

Levelling clips help alignment — but they don’t replace prep. Your surface still needs to be flat and stable, and you need the right adhesive coverage. For notch size guidance, see: What’s the best trowel for tiling? (or browse: tile trowels).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need levelling clips on walls?
A: They’re most beneficial on floors, but they can help keep large or heavy wall tiles flush and reduce lippage while adhesive cures.

Q: Are caps better than wedges?
A: Caps are reusable and fast to tension. Wedges are more cost-effective upfront. Both can work well when used correctly.

Q: Do clips replace prep?
A: No. Levelling clips help align tiles during installation, but you still need proper surface preparation and the right trowel/adhesive coverage.

Q: How many levelling clips do I need per m² for 600×600 tiles?
A: 600×600 tiles cover about 0.36m² each, so you’ll use roughly 2.8 tiles per m². At ~6 clips per tile, that’s about 17 clips per m². With a small waste/buffer, plan for around 18–19 clips per m².