ProTileCalc

Shower Tile Calculator

Calculate total tile needed for a shower or tub surround. Enter the dimensions of the three walls and the floor (pan) to get an accurate estimate.

Enter your measurements

in
in
in
in

Standard ceiling is 96 inches (8 feet).

in
in
in
tiles

■ RESULT

Total tiles needed

47 tiles

Total area (with waste)95.1 sq ft
Boxes to buy6 boxes
Net room area82.7 sq ft
Formula: tiles = ⌈(total_wall_area + floor_area) ÷ effective_tile_area × (1 + waste)⌉

Sources: TCNA Handbook

⚠ Estimate only. These calculations are based on industry-standard formulas and typical material specifications. Always verify quantities against product data sheets, manufacturer instructions, and your installer's recommendations before purchasing materials.

How to measure a shower for tile

Showers typically consist of three walls (an alcove) and, if it's a walk-in shower rather than a tub surround, a floor pan.

Wall measurements

Measure the width of the back wall and the two side walls in inches. Then measure the height from the tub deck (or floor) up to the ceiling (or where you want the tile to stop). The calculator adds the three widths and multiplies by the height.

Shower pans

If you have a walk-in shower with a tiled floor, you must tile the pan. Shower pans require a slope to the drain and typically require smaller tiles (2×2 mosaics) so they can contour to the slope without lippage. If you are using a different tile for the floor, run this calculator a second time just for the floor area.

Niches and benches

Niches (built-in shelves) and benches take extra time and involve complex cuts, but they don't significantly change the square footage. You can use the standard 15% waste factor, or increase to 20% if you have multiple niches that require mitered cuts.

Frequently asked questions

How much tile for a standard 60x32 tub surround?

A standard 60"x32" tub surround tiled up to an 8-foot ceiling has about 82 square feet of wall area. With a 15% waste factor, you need enough tile to cover 95 square feet.

Can I use large tiles on a shower floor?

Usually no. A shower pan must slope to the drain (typically 1/4" per foot). Large tiles cannot bend to follow the compound slope without cracking or creating dangerous "lippage" (raised edges). The TCNA recommends tiles 4×4 or smaller for shower pans, with 2×2 mosaics being the most common. The exception is a linear drain installed at the edge of the shower, which requires only a single planar slope and can accommodate large tiles.

Related calculators

room

Bathroom Tile Calculator

Calculate total tile needed for a bathroom project. Add up your floor area and wall area, then subtract elements like doors or tubs to get your final estimate.

core

Tile Calculator

Enter your area and tile dimensions to find out exactly how many tiles you need, including waste. Results include box quantities and the exact formula used.

core

Grout Calculator

Calculate how much grout you need by weight and bag count. Uses the TCNA (Tile Council of North America) industry-standard formula for sanded, unsanded, and epoxy grout.

core

Thinset Mortar Calculator

Calculate the number of 50-lb bags of thinset mortar needed for your tile project. Coverage depends on your trowel notch size — larger notches use more mortar per square foot.