08/16/2026
Best options
1. Use a larger tile-to-ceiling joint — usually the easiest
If the gap is roughly 1/4" at the smallest point and 1/2" at the largest, you can make the top joint look intentional.
Fill it with 100% silicone bathroom sealant, not grout.
Choose a silicone color matching the grout or tile.
Run a consistent-looking bead along the ceiling; the variation will be much less noticeable than an uneven tile edge.
The important caveat: 1/2" is getting fairly wide for a caulk joint. A huge bead can look sloppy and may not perform as well.
2. Add a trim/border piece at the top
If you haven't finished the top row yet, this is probably the cleanest-looking solution. You can use:
bullnose/edge trim,
a decorative tile,
Schluter-type trim,
or a narrow strip of matching tile.
You can cut the top pieces to follow the ceiling slope, keeping the visible joint around 1/8–1/4".
3. If the tiles are already installed
Don't panic. If the gap is already there, I'd generally leave the tile alone rather than trying to remove it. You can potentially install a narrow trim/molding piece over the joint, depending on how the surround meets the ceiling.
One thing I'd avoid
Don't grout the ceiling-to-tile joint. The change of plane needs a flexible sealant because the ceiling and wall can move independently. In a tub/shower, use a 100% silicone rated for wet areas.
If you can post a photo of the gap, especially one showing the whole top edge and a close-up of the 1/2" section, I can tell you which approach would look best and how I'd handle the varying gap.
