How to grout subway tile - DIY for beginners

Learn how to grout subway tile step by step with this short, concise, and info-packed tutorial.

Whether you are grouting the shower wall in a bathroom, a backsplash in a kitchen, or just a wall somewhere else in the house, this is the process you will want to use to get a professional result without frustration.

This video is created for the beginner, so if it's your first time grouting wall tile, you'll learn everything you need to know from the best grouting technique to which grout to choose to begin with.

Having a good system for grouting is essential because it will ensure you end up with consistent grout joints instead of a poor-looking job that was clearly done by a DIYer.

First, I'll talk about which grout to use, comparing epoxy grout to cement-based grout. I'll talk about the benefits of each kind of grout and when to use each one. Then I'll talk about the difference between sanded grout and non-sanded grout (aka unsanded grout) and when to use which one. You'll quickly learn what the best grout is to use for subway tile, which is usually made of ceramic.

Then, I'll walk you through applying grout to a shower wall in a complete DIY tutorial. I'll share lots of tips along the way to make the job go faster and easier.

Grouting subway tile is actually pretty easy as long as you follow the right process. Once you complete this project you'll be able to grout just about anything.

In this project, I used PolyBlend Non-Sanded Grout (Delorean Grey) with my white subway tile.

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[jessicajlamore]

Thanks for giving realistic expectations for beginners! Pros make it look so easy! Great video!

[nathanradabaugh]

I really appreciated how he referenced the current pro videos and how he suggest you mix small amounts at a time in stead of the whole bag

[sanet]

Dan, I've watched nearly 20 other grouting videos today, and yours is by far the best. Straightforward instructions, great tips, zero drama. Thank you!

[OnlyJalenPhd]

This is the best video! Other videos didn’t go over the slightly damp sponge part. I had an idea, but wasn’t 100% sure. The tip was sooo helpful!! Thank you!

[chrissayler]

My husband and I watched this video twice before we bought the grout and again throughout the project. Excellent advice! We followed you to a tee and the backsplash is beautiful. We also appreciated the fact that you encouraged us as amateurs and made us feel like we could do this - and we did. Thank you!

[vapdivrr]

So many videos I see are just pros kind of showing off, but this is done right....I especially like the mention of mixing small batches, especially with unsanded grout which goes a long way. If you were to mix this grout as a whole bag, you definitely would be throwing most of it away because it got too hard. Striking the joints with the float is something I always do and it's done parallel to the joint and takes all the extra grout away. Basically I push it all in in various directions on a shallow angle like you said, then increase angle on a 45 degree to squeegee most off the tile, but then strike the joints to finish them consistently. One thing with striking is if you wait to long to do this, the grout can get a to hard and you can start pulling it out, so the timing needs to be right....good job....the only thing I seen that I probably wouldn't do is in your layout. On your back wall I see your end cuts, you have one big one that's maybe 5 inches and the next one down is 2 inches (thats seems perfect) but on the adjacent wall you met the back walls 2 inch cut with another 2 inch cut? Imo it should of been met with a 4 or 5 inch cut, so imo the side wall should of been moved one row downwards. You mirrored the cuts instead of matching them in looks killer but another layout difference perhaps is to have not used those 1/2 cuts every other row on the side of nitch, I think there, I would of kept them all the 4 or 5 inches straight in all an excellent job compared to most I've seen

[ColinLoretz]

Working on subway tile this weekend! I started this video and realized “hey, it’s Dan!” Glad the channel has been growing! Thanks Dan!

[HildebrandApples]

This was super helpful! Thank you for explaining everything for beginners. The other videos I came across were made as if the audience was experienced tilers. Now why would a pro be watching a tile video?? Thanks again!

[Lineham]

Excellent, easy to understand unlike other ones on Youtube. Thank you for your video.
I did it your way and the results are what i had hoped for. :)

[ged]

Good video, professionally produced, not too long, lots of useful info 👍

[lindseymcglaughlin]

Best grout tutorial EVER! Thank you, Dan!

[WhaEagle]

Great tutorial thank you! Now going to head to home Depot and get this project started! Usually I have to watch two to three YouTube videos to get the gist of how to do something new, yours was an all-in-one and short.... awesome job.

[mesh]

Informative and very nicely articulated

[alisonjane]

Thanks for great instructions and demo! I'll be back for more 😉

[Raven-rlgj]

Very informative. Thanks for producing it!

[petemartin]

Thanks for taking the time to explain the different types of grout and applications. Very helpful. Regarding only mixing a partial package of grout, I have read some manufacture's say that you should mix the entire contents due to colorant separation in the package. Maybe they just want to sell more product, but thought I would throw that out there. Thanks again

[todlane]

Wow, I read looking for a refresher video for this project. It has been a couple years since our last diy remodel. Where have you been this whole time? Great video!

[jetmech]

Great info, Clear and concise. Well done. Thank you.

[EPeltzer]

Thankfully a guide for a newb or like me a once every three to five years tile setter. I just finished watching another very good tutorial on how to grout an entire shower all three walls in one go. I think that is a mistake unless you are pretty experienced. Our shower has a niche and my wife and I did the niche and one wall in the morning. Probably could do the other two walls in an afternoon. But that is a nice relaxing place and allows the less experienced more time to finesse it. What's the rush?

[owenrees]

Thanks for the advice about trying a small section first. Nobody else mentioned this, and I was wondering if there was some reason it had to be all done in one hit. Great video