Shower Tile Calculator
Measure the tiled back wall, two side walls, and floor separately, subtract genuine untiled openings, then convert the planned coverage to full boxes.
Compare up to three scenarios
Capture the current result, change one or more inputs, and see the options side by side. The first option becomes your baseline.
Your live calculator remains unchanged. Capture it only when you want a comparison point.
Save this estimate as a project section
Name rooms, roof planes, yard areas or other sections separately. CalcurHome will combine compatible results from this calculator on this device.
No account or personal information required. Data remains in this browser until you delete it or clear browser storage.
View all saved project estimatesWhat does the shower tile calculator calculate?
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.
Shower tile area and box formula
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.
How to measure for an accurate estimate
- 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.
Five-by-three-foot tiled shower
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.
The measured tile area is 77 square feet, planned coverage is 88.55 square feet, and 9 boxes are required.Before you purchase material
- 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.
Common questions
Should I combine shower wall and floor tile?
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.
Do I subtract a shower niche from tile area?
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.
How much waste should shower tile include?
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.
Does tile make a shower waterproof?
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 and reference standards
- Tile Council of North America — Resource CenterTile-industry installation resources covering substrates, waterproof assemblies, movement accommodation, mortar, grout, and material selection.
Use this result in a complete project plan
Kitchen and bath planner
Kitchen and bathroom projects concentrate cabinetry, appliances, plumbing, ventilation, electrical work, waterproofing and detailed finishes into small areas. A broad price per square foot can conceal those decisions and double-count shared demolition or trade mobilization. This guide builds a coordinated existing-condition record, room-specific component budgets and one explicit project-level scope using only prices or quotes the visitor enters.
Did this calculator help you make the next project decision?