Shower Tile Cost Calculator
Your shower
Cost to tile this shower
$2,854 – $6,141
- Tiled surface
- 92 sq ft (walls 77, floor 15)
- Tile to order (+15%)
- 106 sq ft
- Tile
- $318 – $1,060
- Setting materials
- $138 – $276
- Backer & waterproofing
- $552 – $1,012
- Tile labor
- $796 – $1,493
- Demolition
- $400 – $900
- Shower pan
- $450 – $900
- Niches
- $200 – $500
- Per sq ft of tile
- $31.02 – $66.74
Plumbing, glass doors, permits and tax not included.
Shower tile cost by shower type
| Shower | Tiled area | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tub surround, 5 × 2.5 ft, 5 ft high | 50 sq ft | $1,349 – $2,930 |
| Alcove walk-in, 5 × 3 ft, 7 ft high | 92 sq ft | $2,854 – $6,141 |
| Large walk-in, 6 × 4 ft, 8 ft high | 136 sq ft | $4,175 – $8,844 |
Calculated with this page's model.
Where the money goes in a tiled shower
People shopping for a shower usually start with the tile, but on a typical alcove the tile is only 10–25% of the total. The rest is labor and the layers nobody sees: the backer board, a waterproofing membrane, the sloped pan and the demolition of the old shower. Those layers are also what decide whether the shower lasts thirty years or starts leaking into the wall in three.
Labor dominates because a shower is vertical, wet-area work. Every wall tile has to be set in full coverage, the first course has to be dead level off an out-of-level tub or pan, and the valve, niche, curb and corners are all cuts. Shower floors are slower still: small tile has to follow a slope to the drain without lippage.
Ways to bring the cost down
- Keep the tub. A tub surround skips the pan and floor entirely and is often half the cost of a walk-in conversion.
- Use a larger tile on the walls. 12×24 porcelain sets faster than 3×6 subway and has far less grout to maintain; save mosaics for the niche or floor.
- Choose a prefab foam pan over a custom mortar bed when the shower is a standard size. It is quicker to install and comes pre-sloped.
- Do the demolition yourself if the contractor agrees — it is the least skilled part of the job, and in this model it is worth $400–$900.
Published 2026 figures
Inch Calculator's 2026 shower cost guide puts the national average around $2,875 (typical range $1,500–$3,500), with tiling at $20–$30 per square foot installed, backer board at $5–$6 per square foot, a custom shower pan at $700–$1,250 and demolition at $400–$900. Angi's 2026 data puts shower tile labor at about $8–$10 per square foot for standard ceramic and porcelain. This calculator uses those figures as its defaults and shows each one separately so you can swap in your own.
Sources: Inch Calculator, “Cost to Tile a Shower” (2026 pricing); Angi, “How Much Does It Cost to Tile a Shower?” (2026 data).
For the tile count itself — square footage, boxes and thinset — use the shower tile calculator. If the tile is sound and only the grout is failing, the regrout cost calculator prices the much cheaper fix. The shower waterproofing guide explains the membrane options.
Tools the pros use for this job
7 in Wet Tile Saw
Clean straight cuts in porcelain for every wall edge, niche and curb.
Tileable Shower Pan Kit
Pre-sloped foam pan and drain — the DIY-friendly alternative to a mortar bed.
Liquid Waterproofing Membrane
Rolls on over backer board; two coats make the wall waterproof, not just water-resistant.
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Prices as of Sep 28, 2026, 4:40 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Do this math on the job site — in the free app
Smart Tile Calculator for Android: offline, in your pocket, free.
How this calculator works
Area. An alcove has a back wall and two side walls; a corner shower has one of each. Wall area is the wall lengths × tile height. A walk-in shower adds the floor (back × side). The tile order adds 15% for cuts around the valve, niche and curb.
Tile is priced per square foot of tile ordered: ceramic $1–$5, porcelain $3–$10, natural stone $8–$30, glass and mosaic $10–$40. Setting materials (thinset, grout, trim, sealant) add $1.50–$3 per square foot.
Backer and waterproofing — cement or foam board plus a liquid or sheet membrane — is $6–$11 per square foot installed, or $2–$4 in materials if you do it. This is the part never to cut: tile and grout are not waterproof.
Labor defaults to $8–$15 per square foot of wall. Floor tile is counted at 1.5× because it has to slope to the drain, is usually small format and is full of cuts. Replace the two labor numbers with a real quote when you have one.
Fixed items: demolition of old tile and backer $400–$900 (more if there is a mortar bed and old pan to break out), a prefab tileable pan $450–$900 installed or a custom mortar-bed pan $700–$1,250, and $200–$500 per built-in niche. DIY versions of these lines are materials, blades and disposal only.
Plumbing changes, glass doors, permits and sales tax are not included.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to tile a shower?
A 5 x 3 ft walk-in alcove tiled to 7 ft in porcelain, with tear-out, new backer and waterproofing, a prefab pan, one niche and pro labor, comes to roughly $2,900–$6,100 in this model. A tub surround with no floor or pan costs far less; stone, glass and a custom mortar-bed pan cost more.
What does shower tile cost per square foot installed?
Roughly $20–$42 per square foot of tiled surface for porcelain with a pro, once backer board, waterproofing and labor are counted. Demolition, the pan and niches are fixed costs on top, and stone or glass mosaic can push the tiled area past $50 per square foot.
Is it cheaper to regrout than to retile a shower?
Much cheaper — if the tile is sound and the problem is only stained or cracked grout. If tiles are loose, sound hollow, or there is water damage behind them, regrouting hides the problem and the shower needs to be rebuilt.
Can I save money by doing the waterproofing myself?
You can — liquid membranes are DIY-friendly — but it is the one step where a mistake is invisible until it leaks into the wall. If you DIY, follow the membrane maker's coverage and cure times exactly and flood-test the pan before tiling.
Related calculators
- Shower Tile CalculatorWalls, floor, curb, and niche for a full shower surround.
- Regrout Cost CalculatorRegrouting priced by joint length — pro vs DIY, cement or epoxy.
- Tile Removal Cost CalculatorDIY vs pro demo cost, hours, and disposal for old tile.
- Cost to Tile a Bathroom2026 bathroom floor, shower and full-room tiling costs.
Guides worth reading next
- 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.
- Choosing the Right Tile Size for Your RoomHow tile size changes a room: when 12×24 beats 4×4, why small rooms can take large tile, grout line math, and the flatness rule for big formats.
- Sanded vs Unsanded vs Epoxy Grout: Which One Do You Need?Grout types explained by joint width and location: when sand scratches tile, why epoxy wins in showers, and how much of each type a bag actually covers.