Panelr is a free online stagger layout generator built for builders, tilers, carpenters, interior designers and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you're laying hardwood flooring, setting wall tiles, planning brickwork, or designing a feature cladding wall, Panelr calculates your offset pattern instantly and shows you a live visual preview — no spreadsheets, no guesswork.
Enter your surface size and material dimensions, choose a pattern, and Panelr generates the exact offset values for every row. The Pro version adds DXF export for CAD workflows, CSV import for large projects, and a full library of advanced patterns used by professionals around the world.
Try it free →A stagger layout — sometimes called an offset pattern or running bond — is the arrangement of rectangular materials like planks, tiles, bricks or panels where each row is shifted horizontally relative to the one above or below it. This shift is called the offset, and it is measured in millimetres from the start of the row.
Stagger layouts serve two purposes: structural and aesthetic. Structurally, staggering the joints distributes load more evenly and prevents long continuous seams that can become weak points over time. Aesthetically, the pattern gives a surface rhythm and movement — from the classic 50% brick bond to complex designer patterns used in high-end interiors.
Calculating stagger layouts by hand is tedious and error-prone, especially across large surfaces or with non-standard panel sizes. A small miscalculation in the first row compounds across every subsequent row, leading to waste, rework and costly delays on site. Panelr eliminates this entirely.
Panelr works for any rectangular material laid in rows. Here are the most common use cases:
Calculate offsets for timber floor boards across large rooms. Avoid H-joints and maintain minimum end-gap rules required by most flooring manufacturers.
Plan running bond, common bond and Flemish bond patterns for internal and external brickwork. Works for standard bricks, blocks and pavers.
Design offset tile layouts for kitchens, bathrooms, feature walls and outdoor terraces. Preview brick-bond, third-offset and stacked tile arrangements before ordering.
Generate stagger patterns for horizontal and vertical timber cladding on residential and commercial facades. Optimise board usage to reduce offcuts.
Create decorative panel layouts for living rooms, offices, hotels and retail spaces. Use advanced patterns like herringbone and designer cycles for unique results.
Plan deck board layouts with accurate stagger offsets. Ensure structural staggering meets building code requirements and looks great from every angle.
Apply stagger patterns to cut stone, slate tiles and reconstituted stone panels for walls, fireplaces and feature surrounds.
Use Pro's DXF export to bring stagger layouts directly into AutoCAD, Revit or SketchUp. Accurate to the millimetre, ready to dimension and annotate.
Panelr uses your surface and material dimensions to calculate the horizontal offset for each row of your layout. Here is the step-by-step process:
Type in the total length and width of the surface you are covering, in millimetres. This could be a floor, wall, facade or any flat rectangular area. Panelr works at any scale — from a 600mm splashback to a 50-metre commercial facade.
Enter the length and width of the individual tile, plank, brick or panel you are using. If your material has a mortar joint or gap, add that to the dimension — for example, a 200mm tile with a 3mm grout joint should be entered as 203mm.
Select from the available patterns. The free version includes a random offset generator and the classic 50% brick bond. Panelr Pro includes nine additional patterns: Herringbone, European Random, American (third offset), Quarter (25%), Thirds (33%), Drift, Mixed Board Pack, Scandi Shuffle and Designer 4-Row Cycle.
Click Generate Pattern and Panelr instantly calculates an offset value for every row across your surface, then renders a to-scale visual preview on the canvas. You can edit individual offset values directly in the text editor below the canvas if you want to fine-tune the result.
Pro users can export the layout as a DXF file, compatible with AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp and most CAD software. You can also export the offset list as a CSV, or import your own CSV offset values for full control over the pattern.
Choosing the right stagger pattern depends on the material, the surface size, and the visual effect you want to achieve. Here is a guide to the most common patterns:
The most widely used stagger pattern in construction. Each row is offset by exactly half the panel length, creating the classic brick wall appearance. It is structurally sound, visually balanced, and works with virtually any material. Most flooring manufacturers recommend or require a minimum 50% offset to prevent H-joints — a configuration where four corners meet at a single point, which can cause instability in floating floors.
Each row is offset by one third of the panel length, cycling through three positions: 0, 1/3 and 2/3 of the panel length. This is popular for longer format tiles and planks because it creates a more dynamic pattern than the 50% bond while still maintaining a regular, predictable rhythm.
A subtle, uniform pattern where each row steps forward by a quarter of the panel length. Often used for narrow boards, elongated tiles and formal or traditional interiors where a restrained pattern is preferred.
A four-row repeating pattern that cycles through 0%, 50%, 25% and 75% offsets, creating a dynamic zigzag visual rhythm. Herringbone is particularly popular for wood flooring, subway tiles and decorative cladding panels, and has become a staple of contemporary interior design.
Mimics the organic, handlaid appearance of traditional European stone flooring. Offsets are randomised within a structured range, ensuring no two rows look identical while still maintaining the visual cohesion of a controlled layout. Widely used in high-end residential and hospitality projects.
The offset drifts gradually and randomly across rows, creating a flowing, organic appearance rather than a rigid geometric repeat. Ideal for feature walls, large-format cladding and any application where a natural, handcrafted look is desired.
A four-row cycle inspired by Scandinavian interior design principles. It combines fixed positions with subtle random variation, producing a clean but lively pattern well-suited to light timber floors and minimalist interiors.
Panelr is designed to be useful at every level of the construction and design process:
If your tiles have a 2mm grout joint, add 2mm to both the length and width before entering them into Panelr. This ensures your offset calculations account for the full repeat of the pattern, not just the face size of the tile.
Most flooring and tile manufacturers specify a minimum offset — commonly 150mm or one third of the panel length, whichever is greater. H-joints (where four panel corners meet at a single point) are generally prohibited in floating floor installations as they can cause lipping and movement. Panelr's brick and third-offset patterns automatically avoid H-joints.
For symmetrical feature walls — particularly in bathrooms, living rooms and commercial spaces — it is usually better to centre the first row and work outwards, so the cut pieces at each edge are equal in size. Enter half the wall width as your starting offset to achieve this.
On outdoor surfaces larger than 6–9 metres, stone, tile and concrete installations typically require expansion joints. Plan where these will fall before generating your stagger layout, and treat each bay as a separate surface in Panelr.
If you are trying to replicate the appearance of natural stone, slate or reclaimed timber, the European Random pattern is the most effective way to achieve the organic irregularity that makes these materials look authentic rather than machine-laid.
Have a question, a feature request, or a bug to report? We would love to hear from you. Panelr is built by a small team and we read every message.
Email: info@panelr.io
We typically respond within one business day. Pro users receive priority support.