Shower Tile Calculator

Read This Before You Purchase Tile for Your Shower Remodel

There are many aspects of a shower remodel that can feel overwhelming, but calculating how much tile you need is often one of the biggest challenges. A shower tile calculator can make the process easier, but you still need accurate measurements for it to work. Fortunately, measuring for tile is simpler than it seems. If you’re wondering “How do I calculate how many tiles I need to buy?” The key is understanding the most common tile sizes and where they’re typically used. With that foundation, you can make confident decisions about how much tile to buy for your shower remodel.

Shower Tile Calculator: How Much Tile Do I Need?

Figuring out how much shower wall and floor tile you need is easier than it seems. Start by considering the common tile sizes used in different shower layouts.

• Small Showers: Smaller tiles work best in tight spaces because they fit angles and slopes more easily. Shower floors in compact bathrooms often use 1-inch tiles, while shower walls typically use tiles between 1 and 4 inches.
• Mid-to-Large Showers: Larger showers offer more flexibility. You can choose anything from 4-inch tiles up to 15-inch tiles on the walls. Very large, spa-style showers can even handle 30-inch wall tiles for a sleek, modern look.
• Shower Floor Tiles: Shower floors usually use tiles between 1 and 12 inches. Many homeowners prefer matching the shower floor tile size to the bathroom floor tile for a uniform feel.
• Shower Wall Tiles: Shower walls commonly use 4-inch tiles up to 12-inch or even 24-inch tiles, depending on the design style and layout.

How Do I Calculate How Much Tile Do I Need for a Shower?

Let’s start with the calculation:

Measure the height and width of each shower wall, then multiply those numbers to get the square footage. Repeat this for all walls you plan to tile, including any built-in niches or benches. Add these totals together to get your full square footage for shower tile.

Next, measure the shower floor by multiplying its length by width. Add this to your total if you’re tiling the floor as well.

Once you have your full square footage, add an additional 10% to 15% for waste. This covers cuts, pattern alignment, breakage, and future repairs. If you’re using smaller or intricate tiles, plan on the higher end of that waste percentage.

If you prefer not to measure everything manually, use our shower tile calculator above.

What Might Affect My Shower Tile Calculations?

Keep in mind that certain tile designs require extra material. Patterns like herringbone or tiles with unusual shapes can create more cuts and waste, so it’s wise to add at least one extra square foot of tile when estimating.

Your shower layout also impacts how much tile you need. A standard stall shower is straightforward, but a walk-in shower often requires tiling beyond the immediate floor and wall area. A contractor can help you estimate tile needs for more complex layouts.

Small tiles are commonly used in showers because they allow installers to create the gradual slope needed for proper drainage. They also increase grout lines, which improve slip resistance and make the shower floor safer under wet, bare feet.

Find Me Local Shower Pros

How Much Does It Cost to Tile a Shower?

The cost of tiling your shower depends upon many factors, including the type of tile you choose, the size of the tile, the installation costs, the addition of any special features like a bench or cut-outs for bath products, and the demolition of your previous shower. Our shower tile calculator can help you determine your estimated costs.

When you choose to go with basic tile, expect a base price of $5.25 to $8.45 per square foot for glazed ceramic tile. Larger tile sizes will typically mean a higher price, but keep in mind that that higher price might be offset by lower labor costs; after all, it takes much less labor to set 12 inch by 12 inch tile than it does to set 1 inch by 1 inch tile.

Basic Tile

• $780 for tiling a small shower
• $936 for tiling a mid-size shower
• $1,092 for tiling a large shower

Mid-range ceramic tile can range from $9.25 to $13.60 per square foot. This cost ranges from 1 inch by 1 inch tile to larger tiles of 6 inches by 4 ¼ inches.

Mid-Range Tile

• $1,173 for tiling a small shower
• $1,408 for a tiling mid-size shower
• $1,642 for a tiling large shower

If you want to go all-out with luxury, expect to pay between $21 and $33 per square foot. This luxury option is based on ceramic tile made of recycled glass in sizes ranging from two inches by two inches to 12 inches by 12 inches.

Luxury Tile

• $2,850 for tiling a small shower
• $3,420 for tiling a mid-size shower
• $3,990 for tiling a large shower

When you’re ready to figure out how much tile you need, you can start with our shower tile calculator. And while you might choose to do the shower tile yourself, it can bring good peace of mind to go with a contractor instead. Modernize can connect you with bathroom remodeling experts in your area who can help you not only with the tile for your shower remodel, but with anything else that you might need in your journey to renovate your bathroom.

Find Me Shower Pros