{"id":"shower-tile-calculator","name":"Shower Tile Calculator","shortName":"Shower Tile","canonicalUrl":"https://calcurhome.com/calculators/shower-tile-calculator","catalogUrl":"https://calcurhome.com/api/calculators","category":{"id":"flooring-tile","name":"Flooring & tile","url":"https://calcurhome.com/calculators/category/flooring-tile"},"language":"en-US","audience":"US homeowners, DIYers and home-project planners","primaryKeyword":"shower tile calculator","secondaryKeywords":["shower wall tile calculator","how much tile for a shower","shower tile square footage","shower tile box calculator","walk in shower tile estimate"],"description":"Calculate shower wall and floor tile area, waste-adjusted purchase area, full boxes, and an optional material budget using your local tile price.","directAnswer":"Add the back wall, both side walls, and floor, subtract untiled openings, then apply a cutting allowance. Divide planned area by the exact box coverage and round up. Wall and floor products with different coverage, slip resistance, layout, or waste should be calculated separately; waterproofing and setting materials need their own takeoffs.","inputs":[{"key":"backWidth","label":"Back wall width","unit":"ft","defaultValue":5,"min":0,"max":100,"step":0.1},{"key":"sideDepth","label":"Each side wall depth","unit":"ft","defaultValue":3,"min":0,"max":100,"step":0.1},{"key":"tileHeight","label":"Tiled wall height","unit":"ft","defaultValue":7,"min":0,"max":30,"step":0.1},{"key":"floorLength","label":"Shower floor length","unit":"ft","defaultValue":5,"min":0,"max":100,"step":0.1},{"key":"floorWidth","label":"Shower floor width","unit":"ft","defaultValue":3,"min":0,"max":100,"step":0.1},{"key":"excludedArea","label":"Untiled openings","unit":"sq ft","defaultValue":15,"min":0,"max":10000,"step":0.1,"help":"Subtract only surfaces that truly receive no tile; do not subtract niches that are tiled inside."},{"key":"waste","label":"Cutting allowance","unit":"%","defaultValue":15,"min":0,"max":50,"step":1},{"key":"boxCoverage","label":"Coverage per box","unit":"sq ft","defaultValue":10,"min":0.01,"max":1000,"step":0.01},{"key":"tilePrice","label":"Local tile price","unit":"$/sq ft","defaultValue":0,"min":0,"max":1000,"step":0.01,"help":"Optional: enter the actual product price for a tile-only material budget."}],"formula":{"title":"Shower tile area and box formula","expression":"Boxes = ceiling([((back width + 2 × side depth) × height + floor area − openings) × allowance] ÷ box coverage)","explanation":"Three wall planes and the floor form gross tile area. Genuine untiled openings are subtracted before the cutting allowance, and the adjusted coverage is rounded to complete boxes without mixing waterproofing or labor into the tile quantity."},"measurementGuide":["Measure each tiled wall plane to its actual termination and calculate unusual returns, half walls, benches, and ceilings separately.","Include every tiled face inside niches, curbs, benches, jambs, and shelves rather than subtracting only their front opening.","Calculate shower-floor mosaics separately when their product, box coverage, slope cuts, or waste differs from the wall tile.","Use net coverage from the exact carton and confirm whether trim pieces, bullnose, profiles, and accent bands are sold individually."],"buyingTips":["Select tile and setting materials approved for the substrate, wet location, floor use, and waterproofing system.","Buy matching shade and caliber lots, inspect several boxes before setting, and blend pieces according to manufacturer instructions.","Keep waterproofing continuous at corners, penetrations, niches, curbs, transitions, and the drain using system-approved details.","Make a scaled elevation for focal points, grout joints, edge treatment, and cut symmetry before finalizing the waste allowance."],"workedExample":{"title":"Five-by-three-foot tiled shower","scenario":"A shower has a 5-foot back, two 3-foot sides, 7-foot tile height, a 5-by-3-foot floor, 15 square feet excluded, 15% waste, and 10-square-foot boxes.","result":"The measured tile area is 77 square feet, planned coverage is 88.55 square feet, and 9 boxes are required."},"commonQuestions":[{"question":"Should I combine shower wall and floor tile?","answer":"Only when the identical product is approved for both locations and shares box coverage and waste assumptions. Shower floors often use smaller mosaics for slope and traction. Separate calculations preserve correct product quantities, lots, prices, and cutting allowances for each surface."},{"question":"Do I subtract a shower niche from tile area?","answer":"Usually no. A niche removes tile from the main wall face but adds tile on its back, sides, top, bottom, and edges. Measure those internal faces and include them. Subtract only an opening or surface that genuinely receives no tile."},{"question":"How much waste should shower tile include?","answer":"Waste depends on tile size, layout, pattern, niches, miters, edge details, breakage, defects, and usable offcuts. Build a scaled layout and follow supplier guidance. Complex diagonal work or large-format patterns may need more than a simple rectangular installation."},{"question":"Does tile make a shower waterproof?","answer":"No. Tile and grout are finish surfaces, not the complete water-management assembly. The shower needs a compatible, continuous waterproofing and drain system installed to manufacturer instructions and applicable requirements. This calculator deliberately excludes membrane, flood testing, substrate, and plumbing design."}],"sources":[{"name":"Tile Council of North America — Resource Center","url":"https://tcnatile.com/resource-center/","note":"Tile-industry installation resources covering substrates, waterproof assemblies, movement accommodation, mortar, grout, and material selection."}],"defaultCalculation":{"inputs":{"backWidth":5,"sideDepth":3,"tileHeight":7,"floorLength":5,"floorWidth":3,"excludedArea":15,"waste":15,"boxCoverage":10,"tilePrice":0},"result":{"value":"9","unit":"boxes","label":"Tile to buy","lines":[{"label":"Tiled wall area","value":"77 sq ft"},{"label":"Tiled floor area","value":"15 sq ft"},{"label":"Purchase area with allowance","value":"88.55 sq ft"},{"label":"Tile-only material budget","value":"Not entered"}],"summary":"77 measured square feet becomes 88.55 square feet with allowance, requiring 9 full boxes at the entered coverage.","note":"The optional budget prices waste-adjusted tile only. Waterproofing, backer, membrane accessories, drain work, mortar, grout, movement joints, profiles, labor, tax, delivery, and repairs remain separate."}},"reviewedOn":"2026-07-24","disclaimer":"Planning estimate only. Verify product coverage, supplier rounding, local codes and structural requirements before purchase or construction."}