Tile Spacers vs Levelling Clips: Which Should Contractors Use?

The Truth About Tile Spacers and Leveling Clips: When, Why, and How to Use Them

The Bottom Line:

Tile spacers are simple plastic crosses or T-shapes that create even grout joints between tiles, while leveling clips are mechanical systems that pull adjacent tiles flush to prevent lippage, and professional contractors should use both on most jobs, with spacers for every tile installation and leveling clips required for any tile larger than 12 inches or where a perfectly flat floor is essential.

Quick Summary

You are in the middle of a large format tile installation. The floor looks great. But there is a problem. No matter how carefully you set each tile, one edge keeps sitting just a hair higher than the next. You tap it down. It pops back up. You tap it harder. Now the tile next to it is high. You are chasing lippage across the entire floor.

This is the difference between traditional spacers and leveling clips. Spacers give you consistent grout lines. Leveling clips give you a flat floor.

Here is the truth. Spacers and leveling clips are not competitors. They are partners. Spacers control the gap between tiles. Leveling clips control the height difference between tiles. You need both to do the job right.

This guide is for contractors who want to understand exactly when to use each tool, how to use them together, and which jobs absolutely require leveling clips.

What Are Tile Spacers?

Tile spacers are small plastic pieces that fit between tiles during installation. They are the simplest and oldest tool in the tile installer's kit.

The basic function. Spacers maintain uniform gaps between tiles. They ensure your grout joints are the same width across the entire floor or wall. Without spacers, your grout lines would wander. Some joints would be wide. Others would be tight. The floor would look amateurish.

The types. There are several styles of spacers.

X-shaped spacers. These are the most common. They sit at the junction where four tiles meet. One spacer controls the gap in both directions simultaneously.

T-shaped spacers. These are used where three tiles meet. They are useful for staggered patterns like brick or running bond, and for transitions between field tile and trim.

Wedge spacers. These are tapered plastic wedges that allow fine adjustment. You slide them between tiles to increase or decrease the gap slightly. They are useful when tiles have slight size variations.

The sizes. Spacers come in sizes from 1/16 inch all the way up to 1/2 inch. The size you choose determines your grout joint width. Smaller tiles typically use smaller spacers. Large format tiles need larger grout joints to accommodate movement.

The material. Most spacers are made of flexible plastic. They are inexpensive and disposable. Some contractors use rubber or silicone spacers for delicate tiles that might chip from hard plastic.

What spacers do not do. Spacers do not level tiles. They only control horizontal spacing. They do nothing to prevent one tile edge from sitting higher than the next. That is where leveling clips come in.

What Are Tile Leveling Clips?

Leveling clips are part of a mechanical system that pulls adjacent tiles flush with each other. They are designed specifically to prevent lippage.

The basic function. A leveling clip sits under the edges of two adjacent tiles. A wedge or cap is then inserted and tightened. The tightening action pulls both tiles down to the same plane. The tiles are held in that position until the thin set cures.

How they work. The clip itself is a small plastic piece with a base that goes under the tile and a stem that sticks up through the grout joint. The wedge is driven into the stem, creating tension that pulls the tiles flush. After the thin set cures, you snap the stem off and remove the wedge. The remaining plastic stays under the tile.

The types. There are three main categories of leveling systems.

Clip and wedge systems. These are the most common. Clips are disposable. Wedges are reusable. You place the clip, insert the wedge, and tap it in with a rubber mallet or a specialized plier tool. Fastest installation speed. Lowest cost per installation.

Stud and cap systems. These use a reusable stud and a threaded cap. The cap screws onto the stud to apply pressure. Fully reusable. More consistent tension than wedge systems. Slower to install but lower long-term cost for high-volume professionals.

Rotating or screw-type systems. These use a dial or screw mechanism for precise, calibrated pressure. Fine adjustment eliminates over-tightening. Ideal for very large format slabs where precision is critical. Highest cost and slowest installation speed.

What leveling clips do not do. Leveling clips do not replace spacers. Some systems include spacers built into the clip. Others do not. If your clips do not have built-in spacers, you still need traditional spacers to control grout joint width.

The Critical Difference Between Spacers and Leveling Clips

Here is the fundamental difference. Spacers control horizontal spacing. Leveling clips control vertical height.

Think of it this way. Spacers make your grout lines straight. Leveling clips make your floor flat. You need straight grout lines. You also need a flat floor. You cannot achieve both with just one tool.

Spacers are like rulers. They measure distance. Leveling clips are like clamps. They hold things in place. You cannot clamp without knowing the distance. And you cannot measure distance without holding things in place.

When to Use Spacers Only

There are situations where spacers alone are sufficient.

Small wall tiles. Tiles under 6 inches, like subway tile or small mosaics, generally do not need leveling clips. The tiles are small enough that minor height differences are not noticeable. Spacers alone will give you a professional result.

Glass tiles. Glass tile requires special handling. The pressure from leveling clips can crack glass tiles. Use spacers only, and be gentle.

Mosaic sheets. Tiles that come pre-mounted on mesh sheets usually have consistent spacing built in. Leveling clips are not practical for sheets of tiny tiles. Spacers at the sheet seams are sufficient.

Perfectly flat substrate. If your substrate is dead flat and your tiles are perfectly flat, you might not need leveling clips. But how often does that happen? In the real world, substrates have variations. Tiles have warpage. Leveling clips compensate for those realities.

Budget jobs. If the customer wants the cheapest possible installation and accepts that there may be some lippage, spacers only might be acceptable. But for professional contractors, this is rarely the right approach.

When to Use Leveling Clips

Leveling clips are mandatory in certain situations.

Any tile larger than 12 inches. This is the industry standard. Large tiles amplify every imperfection. A 24x24 inch tile with a slight bow will show lippage that is obvious to the naked eye. Leveling clips pull the tiles flush.

Rectified tiles. Rectified tiles are precisely cut to exact dimensions and have sharp edges. They are designed for tight grout joints. But that precision also means they have no tolerance for height differences. Leveling clips are essential.

Large format planks. Wood look planks are long and often bowed. Leveling clips prevent the ends of planks from lifting. The 24-inch length of a plank makes lippage especially visible.

Natural stone. Marble, travertine, and slate vary in thickness. Leveling clips help compensate for those variations.

Wet areas. Shower floors and bathroom floors need to be perfectly flat for proper drainage. Leveling clips help achieve that flatness.

High traffic commercial floors. Retail stores, restaurants, and offices need flat, safe floors. Any lippage is a tripping hazard. Leveling clips are standard in commercial installations.

When the manufacturer requires them. Many tile manufacturers now require leveling clips for their warranty to be valid. Read the box. If it says leveling system required, use one.

The Hidden Cost of Not Using Leveling Clips

Let me be blunt. Skipping leveling clips on large tiles is false economy.

A box of leveling clips costs $20 to $50 for a typical job. That is nothing compared to the cost of a callback.

Here is what happens without leveling clips on large tiles.

Lippage. You see it. The customer sees it. It looks amateur. You try to tap the high tile down. It goes down, but the next tile pops up. You chase lippage across the whole floor. You waste hours.

Hollow spots. Without leveling clips, tiles do not bed evenly in the mortar. You get voids. Voids mean cracked tiles.

Callbacks. The tile cracks six months later. You go back. You replace the tile for free. The new tile does not match the dye lot. The customer is unhappy. They tell their friends.

Lost reputation. A floor with lippage is a floor that looks like it was installed by an amateur. Even if the rest of the work is perfect, the lippage is what people notice.

Spend the $50 on clips. Save the $500 on callbacks.

How to Use Spacers and Leveling Clips Together

This is where many contractors get confused. Here is the simple answer. Use both. They are not alternatives. They are complementary tools.

Step 1: Choose your grout joint size. Decide on your grout joint width. 1/8 inch is common for large tiles. 1/16 inch for rectified tiles. 1/4 inch for natural stone.

Step 2: Choose your spacers. Select traditional spacers in your chosen size. X-shaped spacers work for most grid layouts. T-shaped spacers for staggered patterns.

Step 3: Choose your leveling clips. Select a leveling system. Some clips have built-in spacers of a specific size. If your chosen system has built-in spacers, you may not need separate spacers. But most contractors prefer to use separate spacers for precise grout joint control.

Step 4: Install. Spread your thin set. Set your first tile. Place spacers at each corner. Place leveling clips at the corners, between the spacers. Set the next tile. Insert wedges. Tighten.

Step 5: Remove. After the thin set cures, remove the wedges. Snap off the clip stems. Grout as usual.

Using Separate Spacers with Leveling Clips

Many contractors prefer to use separate spacers rather than relying on the built-in spacers in leveling clips.

Why use separate spacers. Separate spacers give you more control over your grout joint width. Leveling clips with built-in spacers lock you into one size. If you want a 3/16 inch joint but your clips only come in 1/8 inch, you are stuck.

The technique. Place your leveling clips at the corners of each tile. Then place your traditional spacers next to the clips. The spacers control the gap. The clips control the height. They work together.

Easier removal. Some contractors find that using separate spacers makes the leveling clips easier to knock off after the mortar cures. If you gunk up the clips with mortar, they can be harder to remove.

Which Leveling System Should You Choose?

There are three main types of leveling systems. Each has its place.

Clip and wedge systems. These are the most common and the most affordable. The clips are disposable. The wedges are reusable. You tap the wedges in with a rubber mallet or use a specialized plier tool. Fastest installation speed. Lowest cost per installation. Best for standard residential projects and cost-sensitive professional crews. The downside is that wedges can pop loose if the mortar is too wet or joints are too wide. Single-use clips generate plastic waste. Less precise adjustment compared to screw-type systems.

Stud and cap systems. These use a reusable stud and a threaded cap. The cap screws onto the stud to apply pressure. Both stud and cap are removed after curing and reused. Fully reusable, which means the lowest long-term cost for high-volume professionals. More consistent tension than wedge systems. Caps distribute pressure over a wider area, reducing tile edge chipping. Works with thicker tiles and stone up to 20mm. The downsides: higher upfront investment, slower to install, and studs can interfere with very narrow grout joints under 2mm. Best for professional contractors, large-format installations, and high-value residential and commercial projects where reusability matters.

Rotating or screw-type systems. These use a dial or screw mechanism for precise, calibrated pressure. The dial allows micro-adjustment. You can feel the exact moment both tile edges are perfectly flush. Best for very large format slabs where precision is critical. Reduces tile breakage from over-tightening. The downsides: highest cost per installation, learning curve, and slower installation speed. Best for premium commercial projects, stone slab installations, and professional tilers specializing in large-format high-value work.

Here is a quick comparison table.

Common Mistakes Contractors Make

I see these mistakes on job sites constantly.

Mistake 1: Using leveling clips as a substitute for a flat substrate. Leveling clips do not flatten floors. They only pull adjacent tiles flush. If your substrate has a hump, the clips will bend the tiles to match the hump. That creates stress. The tiles will crack. Always flatten your substrate first.

Mistake 2: Over-tightening wedges. You crank the wedges down as hard as you can. The tiles are flush. But you have also created stress. The tiles might crack. The thin set might squeeze out. Tighten until the tiles are flush. Then stop. More is not better.

Mistake 3: Not using enough clips. Some contractors try to save money by using fewer clips. Bad idea. You need clips at every corner of every tile. For large tiles, you may need clips along the edges too. Use enough clips to control the entire tile.

Mistake 4: Using clips on tiles that are too small. Leveling clips are not designed for small tiles. The clips can crack small tiles. Use spacers only for tiles under 6 inches.

Mistake 5: Forgetting to remove wedges before the mortar fully cures. If you leave wedges in too long, they can be difficult to remove. Remove them while the mortar is still green but firm. Usually 12 to 24 hours after setting.

Mistake 6: Snapping clips too early. If you snap the clip stems before the mortar has cured, the tiles can shift. Wait at least 24 hours. Check the mortar instructions.

Mistake 7: Not cleaning excess mortar from clips. Mortar that dries on the clips makes them harder to remove. Wipe excess mortar away as you go.

Quick Reference Table: Spacers vs Leveling Clips

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both spacers and leveling clips?

Yes. Spacers control your grout joints. Leveling clips control lippage. They serve different purposes. Use both.

Can I use leveling clips on wall tile?

Yes. Leveling clips work on walls too. They are especially useful for large format wall tiles. The clips hold the tiles in place while the mortar cures, preventing sagging.

Do leveling clips replace spacers?

Not usually. Some leveling systems have built-in spacers. If yours does, you may not need separate spacers. But most contractors prefer to use separate spacers for more control over grout joint width.

How many leveling clips do I need per tile?

For standard sizes, place clips at each corner of every tile. For large format tiles, you may need clips along the edges too. A good rule is one clip every 8 to 12 inches along each edge.

Can I reuse leveling wedges?

Yes. Wedges are typically reusable. Clips are usually disposable. Some systems use reusable clips too.

What size spacers should I use with leveling clips?

Choose your grout joint size first. Then select spacers in that size. If your leveling clips have built-in spacers, check that the size matches your desired grout joint.

Do leveling clips work on uneven floors?

No. Leveling clips do not fix an uneven substrate. They only pull adjacent tiles flush. You must flatten the substrate before tiling.

Can I use leveling clips with any tile thickness?

Most systems work with tiles from 3mm to 12mm thick. Some systems handle up to 20mm. Check the system specifications. If your tile is too thick or too thin, the clips may not engage properly.

A Final Word From The Tile Shoppe

Here is the honest truth. Spacers and leveling clips are not competitors. They are partners. Spacers give you straight grout lines. Leveling clips give you a flat floor. You need both to deliver professional results.

Skimping on leveling clips to save a few dollars is a false economy. The cost of a callback far exceeds the cost of the clips. And the damage to your reputation is even more expensive.

At The Tile Shoppe, we carry both spacers and leveling systems. We have X-shaped spacers, T-shaped spacers, and wedge spacers in every size. We have clip and wedge systems, stud and cap systems, and rotating systems for every budget and application. Come talk to us. We will help you choose the right tools for your next job.

Because a floor that is flat and has straight grout lines is a floor that makes you look like a pro.

Now go lay some tile. And use both.