Tub Surround Tile Calculator

A tub surround is three walls: the back wall the length of the tub and two end walls the depth of it. Enter the tub size and how high the tile goes, and this gives the wall area, how many tiles and boxes to buy, the cement board, thinset and grout, and what the job costs installed or done yourself.

Your tub

Tub length (back wall) (in)

Tub depth (end walls) (in)

Tile height above the tub

Extra past the tub on each end wall (in)

0 if the tile stops at the tub edge

Tile size

Waste (%)

Window width (in)

Window height (in)

Niches

Tile material

Tear out the old surround?

Who does the work

Labor, low ($/sq ft)

Labor, high ($/sq ft)

Installed tub surround cost

$1,604 – $3,555

Wall area: 60 sq ft
Tile to order: 69 sq ft (552 tiles)
Cement board, 3×5 sheets: 5
Thinset, 50 lb bags: 1
Unsanded grout: 4.8 lb
Tile: $69 – $345
Thinset, grout, trim, silicone: $75 – $150
Backer board + waterproofing: $360 – $660
Labor: $600 – $1,200
Tear-out: $300 – $700
Niches (1): $200 – $500

Ranges, not a quote. Plumbing trim, a new tub or a glass door are extra.

Tub surround square footage and cost chart

60 in tub, 3x6 ceramic subway, 15% waste, one niche, tear-out, $10–$20/sq ft labor

Tub depth × tile height	Wall area	Tiles (3x6)	Pro installed	DIY
30 in × 72 in	60 sq ft	552	$1,604 – $3,555	$384 – $1,065
30 in × 84 in	70 sq ft	644	$1,789 – $3,950	$429 – $1,190
30 in × 96 in	80 sq ft	736	$1,972 – $4,340	$472 – $1,310
32 in × 72 in	62 sq ft	571	$1,642 – $3,637	$394 – $1,093
32 in × 84 in	72.3 sq ft	666	$1,832 – $4,043	$439 – $1,220
32 in × 96 in	82.7 sq ft	761	$2,022 – $4,449	$485 – $1,347

Computed with the calculator above, so the table and the result always agree.

What goes behind tub surround tile

Tile and grout are not waterproof. Behind them a tub surround needs a wet-area substrate — 1/2 in cement board or foam board — with a waterproofing membrane over it, lapped over the tub flange so water runs into the tub, not behind it. Leave a 1/8 in gap between the first course and the tub and fill it with silicone, not grout: the tub moves when it fills, and grout there cracks.

Tile layout tips for a tub wall

Start from a level ledger board one tile up, not from the tub edge — tubs are rarely level.
Center the back wall so the cut pieces in both corners are the same width.
Set the niche height and width to whole tiles so it needs no slivers.
Finish the outer edge with bullnose or metal trim; count the linear feet up each end.

For a walk-in shower instead of a tub, use the shower tile calculator (walls, floor and curb) or the shower tile cost calculator (pan, niches and demo). Sheet counts for other walls are on the backer board calculator.

Tools the pros use for this job

1/2 in Cement Board
Hard-To-Find Fastener Phillips Self-Piercing Cement Board Screws, Durable Steel Hardware Fasteners for Home Improvement, DIY, Construction, 8 x 1-1/4, Pack of 157
$10.49
Check price on Amazon
The wet-area substrate behind tub tile; never tile over plain drywall here.
Liquid Waterproofing Membrane
Liquid Waterproofing Membrane
Rolled over the board and seams so water that gets through grout stops there.
Check price on Amazon
Rolled over the board and seams so water that gets through grout stops there.
Metal Tile Edge Trim
White Caulk Tape Waterproof Self Adhesive, Toilet & Bathtub Sealant Strip, Peel & Stick Caulking Tape for Floor Tile Corner Trim & Shower, Bathroom Accessories, Better Than Silicone Caulk
$9.98
Check price on Amazon
Finishes the exposed outer edge where the surround stops on the bathroom wall.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Prices as of Sep 30, 2026, 4:37 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.

Get it onGoogle Play

How this calculator works

Wall area = (tub length + 2 × end wall width) × tile height, minus any window. The end wall width is the tub depth plus whatever you carry past the apron (many surrounds run the tile a few inches past the tub, or down to the floor on the open end).

60 × 30 in tub, 72 in high: (60 + 60) × 72 = 8,640 sq in = 60 sq ft
Same tub, tiled to an 8 ft ceiling (96 in above the deck): 80 sq ft

Tiles are counted on the area plus your waste allowance (15% is right for subway tile with cuts around the valve, spout and niche). Cement board comes in 3 × 5 ft sheets (15 sq ft) with 10% for off-cuts. Thinset assumes a 1/4 × 1/4 in square notch (~95 sq ft per 50 lb bag) and grout a 1/16 in unsanded joint on 5/16 in wall tile.

Cost ranges: tile by material; $1.25–$2.50/sq ft for thinset, grout, trim and silicone; $6–$11/sq ft installed for board plus waterproofing ($2–$4 DIY); labor as entered (tub walls commonly run $10–$20/sq ft, more for small mosaics and patterns); $300–$700 to strip an old surround; $200–$500 per niche.

Frequently asked questions

How many square feet is a tub surround?

A standard 60 x 30 inch alcove tub tiled 6 feet (72 in) above the tub is about 60 sq ft of wall: 30 on the back wall and 15 on each end. Tiled to an 8 ft ceiling it is about 80 sq ft. Add 10–15% when ordering.

How much does it cost to tile a tub surround?

Using this calculator's ranges, a 60 sq ft surround in $1–$5 ceramic with one niche and tear-out runs about $1,600–$3,600 with a pro, including backer board and waterproofing. DIY materials for the same job are about $400–$1,100.

How high should tile go around a tub?

At least a few inches above the shower head — about 72 inches above the tub deck for a standard head. Tiling to the ceiling looks cleaner and protects the wall from steam, and costs about a third more in tile and labor.

Can you tile over a fiberglass tub surround?

No. Fiberglass surrounds flex and are not a bondable substrate. Remove the surround and the drywall behind it, install cement or foam board with a waterproofing membrane, and tile on that.

Related calculators

Guides worth reading next

More from our calculator network

Last updated: August 26, 2026 · Reviewed by the Smart Tile Calculator editorial team