The diagonal checkerboard: two shades on the point

Geometric patterns · 5 min read · updated 5 November 2026 · Written by Tilelico

Turned by 45°, a checkerboard changes character: the tiles read as diamonds, and the floor seems less constrained by the walls. Every edge is cut on the slant, and the shades no longer necessarily split evenly.

Real example · calculated by Tilelico

Entrance hall of 4.20 × 3.60 m, Diagonal checkerboard, 2 mm joint

WholeCutCut under 100 mmStaircase

Compared with the straight checkerboard in the same size, waste rises sharply, and one shade needs more tiles than the other because the slanted edges do not cut them equally. Only a calculation on your room gives the right split.

Calculated result

Room area: 15.12 m²
Area covered: 13.32 m²
Whole pieces: 90
Cut pieces: 100
Actual need: 190
To order (+15%): 219
Waste with no offcut reuse: 22.1 %
Narrow cuts: 4

Order by size

Clair 300 × 300 mm120
Foncé 300 × 300 mm99

Most frequent cuts

100 cuts in 12 different sizes.

C01 · 300 × 300 mm× 40
C02 · 250 × 250 mm× 16
C03 · 300 × 300 mm× 10
C04 · 130 × 130 mm× 9

Setting out and products

The grid sits at 45° to the walls: mark that axis from the starting point shown on the plan first, then lay out the 604 × 604 mm repeat along it. Estimated products: 47 kg of adhesive and 2.3 kg of grout.

Reproduce it in Tilelico

1Draw a 4.20 × 3.60 m rectangle, then add in the centre: Staircase.
2Choose the covering: Diagonal checkerboard, 2 mm joint.
3The module sets the pattern: there is nothing else to pick.
4Set the distribution to “Balanced cuts” and the margin to 15%.

Open this example in the editor

When to choose it

It suits entrances and narrow rooms, where diagonal lines avoid emphasising the room’s shape.

Best forRooms with walls not quite square, which the diagonal makes less visible.
Avoid ifThe room is small and very broken up: slanted cuts become numerous.

Continue with: The checkerboard lay: two shades in alternation →

Preparing the job

Order by shade, with a higher margin than for a straight checkerboard: every edge is cut.

Choose the axis according to the room’s entrance, and check where the points land against the walls.

Continue with: Laying tile on a 45° diagonal: mark accurately, cut efficiently →

Step by step

Step 1 — Mark the 45° axisStart from two square axes, then transfer the diagonal at equal distance on each.
Step 2 — Dry-lay a diamond of four tilesCheck the shade at the centre and how it reads from the entrance.
Step 3 — Work in stripsAdvance from the axis, keeping the two stacks of shades apart.
Step 4 — Measure the slanted cutsTransfer each cut on site: the sheet is a guide.
Step 5 — GroutFirst test the grout shade on an offcut of both tiles.

Continue with: Laying cement tile: layout, protection and grout →

Mistakes to avoid

Splitting the order evenlyOn the diagonal, edges cut the shades differently: follow the quantity per shade.
Marking the axis by eyeAn angle error shows all along the walls.

These pointers describe common practice, not imposed rules. The data sheet for your covering and for your installation products always takes precedence, and measurements taken on site are the reference.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the same as a cabochon lay?

No. The result recalls a cabochon, but here all tiles are the same size.

Is more margin needed?

Generally yes: compare the quantities with the straight checkerboard on your plan.

Technical references

This guide describes common installation practices. It does not replace applicable technical documents, manufacturer instructions or measurements taken on site.