Shower Tile Calculator
Shower dimensions
8 ft = to the ceiling
Tile to order
145.01 sq ft
- Wall area
- 104 sq ft
- Shower pan
- 15 sq ft
- Curb
- 3.6 sq ft
- Niche(s)
- 3.5 sq ft
- Thinset (50 lb bags)
- 2 bags
- Waterproofing needed
- 119 sq ft
Buy shower-floor mosaic separately from wall tile — sizes and finishes differ.
Do this math on the job site — in the free app
Smart Tile Calculator for Android: offline, in your pocket, no ads. iPhone version coming soon.
Tools the pros use for this job
Waterproofing Membrane
BXI Inorganic Ceramic Fiber Thermal Insulation Board(2732F) - 12'' X 8'' X 0.4'', Pack of 1 - High Density - Flame Retardant, Heat Resistant, High Temperature Insulation
Check price on AmazonNon-negotiable behind shower tile — tile and grout are not waterproof.
Preformed Shower Niche
BXI Inorganic Ceramic Fiber Thermal Insulation Board(2732F) - 12'' X 8'' X 0.4'', Pack of 1 - High Density - Flame Retardant, Heat Resistant, High Temperature Insulation
Check price on AmazonFar faster and more reliable than framing and waterproofing one by hand.
Diamond Hole Saw Kit
DAYDOOR Diamond Hole Saw Kit, 15-Piece Tile Hole Saw Kit Vacuum Brazed(Red) | 1/4" 5/16" 4/5" 1" 1-3/8" 2" 3" 4" Core Drill Bits, Beveling/Milling Bit, Saw Blade, For Porcelain/Granite/Marble/Stone/Glass
Check price on AmazonFor clean valve and shower-arm penetrations.
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How this calculator works
Wall area is the sum of each tiled wall (width × height). An alcove shower has two side walls plus the back wall; a corner shower has two. Tile to at least 6 ft, but running to the ceiling looks better and costs little more.
The curb adds roughly 1.2 sq ft per foot of length once you count the top and both faces. Each standard niche adds about 3.5 sq ft including its sides and sill.
Waterproof first. Sheet or liquid membrane over cement board, sloped pan, and a bonded drain. That system — not the tile — keeps water out of your framing.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet of tile for a 3x5 shower?
An alcove 3 ft x 5 ft shower tiled to 8 ft is about 104 sq ft of wall, plus 15 sq ft for pan, curb and niche — order roughly 135 sq ft with waste.
Should shower tile go to the ceiling?
It is the better result: no dust ledge, taller-looking room, and only slightly more tile. At minimum tile to 6 ft or 6 in above the shower head.
What tile size works for a shower floor?
Use 2 in or smaller mosaic on a sloped pan so the sheet can conform to the slope, and choose a tile with a DCOF of 0.42 or higher for slip resistance.
Related calculators
- Tile Quantity CalculatorHow many tiles you need for any room, wall, or floor — with waste.
- Grout CalculatorPounds of grout by tile size, joint width, and thickness.
- Thinset & Mortar CalculatorBags of thinset by trowel notch size and coverage.
- Tile Cost EstimatorTotal project cost: tile, grout, mortar, trim, and labor.
Guides worth reading next
- Waterproofing a Tiled Shower: The Layer Cake That Keeps Water OutWhy tile and grout are not waterproof, how sheet and liquid membranes work, where corners and niches fail, and the flood test you shouldn't skip.
- How to Tile a Shower Floor: Slope, Mosaic and Drain DetailsWhy shower pans need small tile, how to follow the 1/4-in-per-foot slope, cutting around the drain, and sealing the pan before the first tile sticks.
- How to Measure a Room for Tile (Step by Step)Measure any room for floor or wall tile: handle closets and alcoves, convert inches to decimals, subtract fixtures, and add the right waste percentage.