How to Mix a Small Batch of Thinset Mortar Perfectly Every Time

Do you get frustrated not knowing what the perfect thinset consistency is?
Yes, it's annoying that manufacturers typically won't tell you what the right measurements are so you can mix a small batch of thinset.
This video is going to help you to determine what the exact thinset water and mortar ratio is so you can mix thinset in small batches.
This video accompanies a blog post that I wrote on my website. You can find it here:
www.diytileguy.com/mixing-sma...
You can download the Small Batch Cheat Sheet at the link above.

[@mandydavis2460]

Thank you finally instructions I can understand straight to the point! As a single mom remodeling a 150 year old house on my own... Let me tell you it's a learn as you go and trial and error process that can be frustrating. Definitely a good day when u can find a video that's informative and not confusing. Thanks from Wisconsin!

[@user-jk1mz1pk4k]

Thank you for simplifying the measurement process for a small batch of thin set!!!

[@annetteharris61]

Thank you. This is one of the most helpful tiling videos ever. This has always been a problem to figure out.

[@Autmazing]

Thanks! I wasn’t quite sure on the thickness and this is exactly what I needed to see.

[@NotRiansLuke]

This is awesome. Actually found your website first, then came to watch the video based on the "measure twice, cut once" philosophy. Thanks so much for this!

[@Jennifermcintyre]

Wow!! Thank you so much for putting this together for us!! I’ve watched so many videos and yours is the best I have seen!! Your efforts are appreciated 😊

[@Vera-xu3xw]

I'm so glad I found this site THANK YOU!!! Great info

[@DIYTileGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jmissimer]

Hey thanks for this. About to get started!!

[@theflyingdutchman787]

Mapei Kerflex Plus By volume: 3 Parts Water 8 Parts Powder I experimented with many ratios This recipe works amazingly.

[@charleskutrufis9612]

Thank You for this, very helpful

[@StephanieVainer]

This is so helpful! Thank you.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wallywallywa]

Invaluable info. Thank you!

[@jasonfox249]

Fantastic Video! THANK YOU!!

[@loswillys23]

Like so many others here say - THANK YOU! Appreciate the ratios and seeing the thickness. I'm replacing TWO tiles and don't need a whole bag. Great.

[@beatricedelgado7934]

Thank you putting this video and the cheat sheet together!

[@DIYTileGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patrickflynn6704]

Help. Not having any luck getting your cheat sheet up hope you can help I'll be tiling soon. Thank you ahead of time.

[@jimsullivan3987]

Thank you! Bingo on the mixing chart! Wouldn’t it be nice if the manufacturers had a reality check on how much the consumer really uses instead of forcing us buy huge amounts of mix one will never use? Jim from Boston

[@shettlock]

I clicked on the cheat sheet and it took me to the top of the page? Using an iPhone /mobile Thank you for this video !

[@DIYTileGuy]

Thanks for saying something. I think I have it fixed now. It's down in the section that says Exact Batch Cheat Sheet. Right above the "Fine Tuning..." subheading. Let me know if you have any more trouble.

[@justmeva]

This was very helpful - thank you.

[@joshuawhite9725]

great for diy, after you do it a while you learn to go a bit thicker for walls or thinner for membranes, you can vary it depending on use scenario

[@Pure3nrg]

Thanks! I've been reading your blog a lot.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Great to hear!

[@mikewojtaszek4356]

Hey James, I just wanted to thank you for your great video on how to mix a small batch of thinset mortar. The mortar I used was Custom Versabond LFT and your cheat sheet was right on the money. It couldn’t have been easier once I tracked it down on your website. Your tips and tricks also came in handy for a DIYer like myself. Thanks again, Mike

[@wemcal]

Great video and great information

[@tysons9222]

just show us the cheat sheet

[@lynneberhardt8818]

And his website is a pain. All of the adds keep you from reading his website. I have been trying to get to the cheatsheet for 30 minutes. Incredibly irritating. I guess I'm just going to wing it.

[@lynneberhardt8818]

Winging it went fine. I just started with the smallest amount of water that the manufacturer put and added a little over an ounce and it was perfect.

[@jeffhorovitz8663]

I agree, I just left some comments on this site complaining about his website. Should not have to go through hoops for information, especially if you want more subscribers.

[@grantcivyt]

It takes no time to find the information on his website. He's offering useful information and not asking very much in return.

[@madelync7753]

Thank you so much for this video! It was a lifesaver and worked perfectly! I followed the cheat sheet instructions for the Mapei Porcelain Tile Mortar - I had the Mapei Ceramic Tile Mortar, but the instructions on the bag for both were the same, so I figured your instructions would be the same. And it worked perfectly! It was the first time my sister and I had ever laid tile, we were doing a subway tile kitchen backsplash. We had to mix three separate batches of the mortar, and each batch came out perfectly, and the tiles stuck firmly on the wall. Yay!! So happy with the results! And the pot time was great, on our last batch we ended up taking a really long time and it was nearly 3 hours. It was definitely drying by that point, but they still adhered.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@stevenstewart3414]

Thank you, Madelyn! I too had bought the "Mapei Ceramic Tile Mortar", so reading your comments gave me the confidence that I can use the instructions from DIYTileGuy's cheat sheet for Mapei Porcelain Tile Mortar. And thank you DIYTileGuy for your excellent instructions!

[@docdaven]

oh wow! I just asked this question - now I'm ready to do the job - thanks!

[@jackieharris6669]

Omg I thought you should know that I'm going through the exact same experience and this comment is exactly what I needed to know 😂 what are the chances?! Thank you for asking this! ❤

[@docdaven]

Thanks! This really helped!

[@jeremyhunt9960]

so many other 'tutorials' say mix according to instructions on the bag. I have never bought a bag without tiny blurred unreadable instructions. Or even correct instructions. Thanks this was perfect! I followed your chard and directions and got perfect results

[@DavidS-ys2ct]

Been using your directions for small batches and it works great. At age 69, can't carry the five gallon buckets of thinset and can only do two rows of subway tile in the bath at one time. Slow progress but will be done soon.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Good luck! Thanks for the feedback

[@dragonfly264]

Thanks for this. I’ve been struggling to get the right consistency to lay my backerboard down

[@brianegan7174]

Today I mixed a small batch of Laticrete 253 Gold per the Exact Batch Cheatsheet. The mix came out perfect and I was able to work with it for a couple of hours easily. Thanks DIY TileGuy!

[@DIYTileGuy]

It's great to hear this. Thanks!

[@terryrust4973]

Thank you very much!

[@wudangmtn]

Good tips thanks.

[@mrskonak2483]

Great video! Thank you :) Wish me luck!!!

[@DIYTileGuy]

Good luck!

[@MsMCL10]

So helpful!!! Your small batch info was perfect!! Thank you!!!

[@DIYTileGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brandanmichael6982]

OMG thank you!

[@williambronson6541]

Thank you

[@coachwhitford7315]

Driving people to your web site, good thing you show the consistency, all I needed.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Thank you! Glad that was helpful

[@rogerr8029]

I like this guy

[@moshewakatelutiw6233]

You got my sub

[@DIYTileGuy]

I appreciate it!

[@jackbisson9226]

I like to get it to be a little thicker than a peanut butter viscosity almost like a salt water taffy type of viscosity. I always use less water for a batch and then add a little at a time to get the viscosity I want. Not sure if that is the proper way but my projects have been solid since using this approach and they have lasted 7 plus yrs and counting. The waiting 10 minutes and then stirring again is key for setup with versabond thinset mortar.

[@MrVARhythm]

Why can't you tell us the ratio????????????

[@DustySmalls]

Why did you cover up the oz?

[@guerrilla1044]

I've always used concrete to make animal pools for my exotic livestock but we have a lot more flexibility with these types of products, I was given a bunch of fast set mortar that I'd like to use instead of regular concrete... are they safe for drinking water once cured?

[@michaelmichaelmotorcycle2174]

There’s some very lazy people here, takes 30 seconds to click the link he provided and find the cheat sheet

[@lorelynk]

Thanks for the chart and video! I'm using Schluter All-Set, is the ratio appropriate for membrane applications or installation of tile? The full bag provides two different ratios.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Good question. The ratio is meant for tiling. If you are installing Ditra or Kerdi then they say to add about 2 additional quarts per bag so that's about 5 additional ounces of water per batch of All-Set

[@richardhaesemeyer8615]

So to mix for Kerdi membrane application with All-set, we should keep powder the same and just add an extra 5oz of water to your all-set formula? Correct?

[@JohnSmithh644]

There is a blank space on the website where it says the cheat sheet is supposed to be.

[@burtony3]

It is helpful to actually see a well mixed batch. Now, everybody tells me to wear gloves and respirator, yet often people do not. I'm not being critical here, I am just trying to learn what's up.

[@sarashand9197]

People have to tell you to take safety precautions so they aren't liable for your injuries if you don't. If you choose not to take those precautions for yourself, you are choosing for yourself that you would rather take the risk to your own health than deal with the cumbersomeness of precautions. But, other people cannot tell you not to take those precautions. It has to be your own choice, given your own individual circumstances and your personal priorities.

[@NetNana06]

Couldn't find cheat sheet on website.

[@andyb7754]

I've got a very small floor to lay (28 square feet) and this was just the video I was looking for. I've been wanting to put the tile down in my down stairs bathroom for a year now but but am afraid I'd screw it up. I don't do this type of work and it takes me a while to try. Thanks for the informative video.

[@samfredo8140]

Thanks so much. I could have used this when I was doing my bathroom. I used Allset and weighed the powder with a bathroom scale. Not very accurate. What about the water temperature? Will that affect the mix? I think I saw somewhere that if the water is too cold or hot it could cause the mix pot time to change.

[@DIYTileGuy]

You want clean, cool water. Don't heat it up.

[@cherifarara3848]

How do I mix a small batch of mapei mosaic and glass mortar?

[@paulsommerer6257]

I mixed exactly 62oz of Mapie Ultraflex LHT SG and 1 qt of water and that was super liquidy. I had to add almost another 60 oz of thinset in order to get it close to what looks right. Still thinking its a little wet. Can you check that math on the cheat sheet?

[@jimm6188]

I just signed up to your website. I'm using Mapei Mosaic Glass and Tile Mortar for glass tile and am wondering about the mixture. Don't see that on you chart. Can you help? Thanks!

[@DIYTileGuy]

I don't have that particular mortar on the sheet yet but it's a great suggestion and I'll look to add it. Thanks

[@ileanamorales1384]

Hello : I really appreciate your research and info. But I cannot get to the Cheat Sheet. It tells me “ user already used “. Using my IPad

[@DIYTileGuy]

It sounds like you already have signed up, maybe on someone else's website. It should be as simple as resetting your password.

[@baguleyonbaking-zt2kk]

hi, You might want to clarify on your cheat sheet that the dry mix is a volume measurement (from a quart container) when you say oz, that is a weight measurement. 1 qt of water is 2 pounds. 1 qt of dry mix (by weight) is 1.06 pounds. I'm referencing your laticrete multimax lite recipe. Cheers. I appreciate your videos, great info always!

[@DIYTileGuy]

Thank you. I will make that change.

[@sailingsvsalacia8398]

As a home DIY guy, this is great. We just got an old house and I'll be installing tile in the kitchen and three bathroom. Doing the kitchen now. I finished the dry fit last night and was wondering about my thinset mixing ratio while having my morning coffee. Time to get started. Thanks!

[@fiercegirldesign1]

Thanks so much for the cheat sheet! I am using Schlueter All-Set and I noticed you said you mix it for 10 minutes, but according to their video tutorial, you’re supposed to mix it for five minutes then wait for 10 minutes then mix for three more minutes. Just curious if this was a misprint or if you found mixing for 10 minutes worked better. Thanks for all the great tutorials!

[@DIYTileGuy]

Yes, you are correct and thank you for pointing this out. I will make the adjustment to the Cheat Sheet next time I make an edit to it.

[@maryrobbins3314]

How do I know how much thinset to mix? I need to cover a 10 sqft area, using a 1/2 in trowel. The tiles are on the larger side so I was also planning on back buttering the tiles.

[@DIYTileGuy]

You'd probably need 3-4 batches, in all.

[@texascrossbowdude636]

I went to your website,subbed to your newsletter and I cant find the cheat sheet

[@DIYTileGuy]

I apologize for the trouble. Try this URL. it should be immediately above the heading "fine tuning the consistency..." www.diytileguy.com/mixing-small-batches-thinset/#jump

[@texascrossbowdude636]

@@DIYTileGuy got it thx

[@filifanta1337]

I'm also having hard time to find the cheat sheet

[@scottdieboldsr.3594]

Hey guy I’m tiling tub surround ?? Doing long middle wall and in corners to right and left do the short walls butt right on top of middle wall in corners or am I leaving space? I’m going to caulk corners of course but just wondering. Thank you

[@DIYTileGuy]

You want to leave about a 1/8 inch gap in the corners.

[@scottdieboldsr.3594]

@@DIYTileGuy ?? So back wall tile 1/8 space on corners then sidewall tile butt to it or 1/8 as well from face of that tile

[@scottdieboldsr.3594]

Great thankyou

[@DIYTileGuy]

For the back wall you want a gap. Can be 1/4 inch or whatever is hidden by the tiles on the side. Just don't make it tight. For side walls, 1/8 inch gap in the corner is good or whatever matches your grout joints.

[@scottdieboldsr.3594]

@@DIYTileGuy tub is off level 1/4 inch corner to corner on long wall. Using 3x6 subway tile what’s best way to start off first row of tile?

[@chrisbartz5439]

I added my water and thinset, mixed it all up and it seemed like it started to harden quicker than I can use it. Is it possible that I overmixed it?

[@DIYTileGuy]

My first suspicion would be that you didn't mix it long enough or didn't let it slake

[@LLmitchell]

can you add to your cheat sheet Ardex X5

[@DIYTileGuy]

Yes. There will be some updates to it in the coming months

[@JohnSmithh644]

Is that supposed to be mapai ultraflex LFT? It says LHT

[@DIYTileGuy]

LFT and LHT both mean the same thing. This product used to have LHT in its name but it looks like they've changed it to LFT. For now, I'll assume it's the exact same product and mixed the same. Please let me know if you don't think the mixture is correct and thank you for bringing this to my attention.

[@mrzif0013]

I have a bag of cement can I make thin set from the cement?

[@DIYTileGuy]

You'd need to research the ingredients but portland cement is one component that you need.

[@johncross116]

What happens if you miss doing the slaking process? I forgot a few times and used the thinset immediately.

[@DIYTileGuy]

It won't be as strong as mortar that's allowed to slake and is remixed.

[@johncross116]

@@DIYTileGuy thank you, good to know!

[@jeffhorovitz8663]

I’m sorry dude but I went to your website for the cheat sheet and it wanted me to sign up for something with my email, not very user-friendly.

[@site5games]

Fluid oz or weight oz on the powder?

[@DIYTileGuy]

fluid ounces

[@adamalander7515]

Have you added Mapei Kerabond premium to the list yet?.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Edit: I'm wondering if you're referring to Kerbond T? If you're referring to Keraflex Premium you might try the instructions for the Plus and see how that works. Further, Plus will work for most of the tiles you want to install. Premium would be for certain situations, like exterior tiling, for example.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Edit again: it looks like there is a Kerabon premium. I didn't know that existed. I will look into it.

[@adamalander7515]

@@DIYTileGuy Nice!, yeah I did my first batch yesterday. It says on the bag to do 6 to 7 quarts water to a bag (50lb/22.7kg.). So I just divided 50lbs by 6 to get 8.33 pounds to 1 quart, but I found I had to add a bit more water to get the consistency right, as it was definitely too dry. So I'd say maybe 1-1/2 quarts to 8.3 lbs. But yeah that worked out to be about right for me. Maybe if a guy tried 7lbs to 1 quart, then that would be a good starting point. :)

[@bdobrzensky]

I'm assuming the OZ's is weight right?

[@DIYTileGuy]

Volume. No scale necessary.

[@patrickmcnamara3879]

Looks like soft serve Carvel - that consistency

[@hawaiian_143]

i used the cheat sheet for the Schluter All Set which was 76oz of powder per 1 quart of water and mixed 2 quarts of water which was 64 fl oz of water that i measured with my digital scale (no it was not on the milk unit) and 152 oz of Schluter All Set and it was very very runny like the consistency of a gallon of paint, so had to toss it out dont think i'll do that again lol

[@DIYTileGuy]

The Cheat Sheet is to be mixed by VOLUME and not by WEIGHT. That might fix the issue that you encountered.

[@RussellBrennan]

You should update your cheat sheet to note this, I'm betting that most people are going to make the same mistake

[@conlouis9067]

@@RussellBrennan The measurement for Allset is much less than recommended by Schluter and is too runny. I'd recommend following the instructions provided by Schluter for 1/4 bag and 1/2 bag if you need less than the full bag.

[@RussellBrennan]

@@conlouis9067 yep, I found that 1:4 water:thinset by weight is just right. Very simple formula, and it works for any amount of thinset

[@stevengreen4148]

Can you convert what is 1 quart

[@DIYTileGuy]

Google says it's 0.946 liters

[@stevengreen4148]

Thank you

[@jn1mrgn]

How critical is this really? I just added thinset and water and mixed til I got a consistency that felt right, then tiled my shower. It seems fine. Am I going to have tiles fall off in 30 years if I didn't do it perfectly?

[@DIYTileGuy]

A lot of people don't have the feel for the right consistency and the wrong consistency can really cause someone to struggle.

[@muskywhiskerbisquet1156]

I think if it lasted for 30 years….it would be pretty good.

[@filifanta1337]

I prescribed and still cannot find the cheat sheet

[@DIYTileGuy]

This link will take you right to it. Make sure you are logged in. It's immediately above the heading "Fine tuning the consistency..." www.diytileguy.com/mixing-small-batches-thinset/#jump Let me know if you have any further issues

[@filifanta1337]

@@DIYTileGuy thanks

[@typ044]

I downloaded the cheat sheet and the ratio looks way off for what I'm using (253 gold). The ratio on the cheat sheet works out to be roughly just over 1/10th of a bag but calls for 1/5th of the water? I'm guessing it would have the consistency of an slu mix at that point. I've certainly never added 10 quarts to a full bag before.

[@typ044]

Just mixed up some 253 and the water quantity in the cheat sheet should be closer to a pint than a quart for the dry weight of mortar called out on the sheet.

[@DIYTileGuy]

Remember, the components are mixed by volume and not by weight. Also, don't assume the manufacturer knows the right ratio for their own products. Some do but some are notoriously off

[@typ044]

I'de say like most bagged cement products 75% of them are off and always on the conservative side. Also can vary by bag/batch. And I have to admit, after watching the vid and downloading the sheet enough days passed that when standing in the garage and pulling up the sheet on my phone I had already forgot you did it by volume using a fluid scale. I used the digital shipping scale in my garage, my mistake. Definitely threw me off because after weighing it out I could tell just looking at it that it would be way too much water so I just did the math instead. Volume would obviously be quicker and easier. I've always just done it by eye but after your vid popped up in my recs I started thinking it would be nice to eliminate variables. Thanks for replying and pointing out my mistake, I'm not a fulltime tile guy but its far from my first rodeo so I'll just go back to eyeballing it, I realize now that coming across this vid got me over thinking it but its a great starting point for first timers though so good job on putting in the time to do this and post it.

[@mauricep8383]

At approximately the 2:50 minute mark in the video, you have placed a pencil over the column showing the number or ounces. NOT NICE!

[@jeffkalina7727]

WTF? I have to go elsewhere to get the instructions on water???

[@DIYTileGuy]

Every line item on the sheet gets mixed with 1 quart of water.

[@brianonthego]

The more tile videos I watch...the less I want to tackle this job.

[@LeslieWorks]

Pretty scummy you have the sheet locked behind some kind of registration

[@athyjune2337]

I am not subscribing to spam emails for this. Dude why

[@clbuckshot]

Yeah he laid pencil over the ounces of powder🤔

[@bimbi654]

What material do you recommend for laying carrera marble on concrete.

[@mark_Hershey]

Isn’t that a little thin, seems too runny to put on wall.

[@interceptzen1799]

I notice you put a pencil over the mortar amounts. WTF? State secret?

[@user-sc6rz1zm3z]

Hope your figured it by now...website

[@Stephen_Burton]

It's called math!

[@markolmstead4709]

Schluter Allset ratio is incorrect, consistency was like soup

[@GrowWithConrad]

tf bro? why would you not show the measurements

[@CBBC435]

I just mix it by eye. I add to water and mix until I get the consistency I want. Not rocket science.

[@ftc1233]

Worst website ever. Chart behind ads and a registration.

[@jeffhorovitz8663]

Show us the cheat sheet instead of having us go somewhere else, if you make it even more user-friendly, then you might get more subscriptions. Some of the good learning woodworking websites that I use consistently have over 1 million subscribers. Usually because they don’t have a lot of baloney they just show you and teach you what you need to know without going through hoops.

[@nobodydoingunimportantthings]

How can he just show the cheat sheet? Can he upload it into the video as a PDF??

[@jeffhorovitz8663]

@@nobodydoingunimportantthings he is purposely hiding the numbers with his pencil so you have to go to his broken website. Just show the complete chart in the video.

[@billhumphreys3768]

You: Good Grow: Sucks

[@johnedwardii]

Click bait

[@mandydavis2460]

Thank you finally instructions I can understand straight to the point! As a single mom remodeling a 150 year old house on my own... Let me tell you it's a learn as you go and trial and error process that can be frustrating. Definitely a good day when u can find a video that's informative and not confusing. Thanks from Wisconsin!

[@DIYTileGuy]

I appreciate the feedback and I'm glad it was helpful.