Shower Tile Calculator: Walls, Floor, Boxes and Cost

Calculate shower tile

Measure the shower, choose the tiled surfaces and enter the coverage printed on the tile box. Advanced deductions and cost inputs stay folded until you need them.

Tile, boxes and price
Openings, niches, curb and ceiling

Use decimal measurements. A comma may be used as the decimal separator; do not use thousands separators. The box estimate uses product coverage and is the preferred purchase basis.

Ready. Enter the shower measurements and select Calculate shower tile.

How to use the shower tile calculator

  1. Select a three-wall alcove, two-wall corner, single wall or a known combined wall run.
  2. Enter the finished dimensions of the surfaces that will actually receive tile.
  3. Keep the floor selected when it uses the same tile product, or clear it and calculate the shower floor separately when its mosaic or coverage differs.
  4. Open the product section and replace the examples with the tile dimensions, box coverage, allowance and price from your supplier.
  5. Subtract untiled openings and add the measured internal faces of niches, benches and curbs when applicable.

Shower tile formulas

  • Three-wall alcove area = (back width + 2 × side depth) × tiled height.
  • Two-wall corner area = (back width + side depth) × tiled height.
  • Floor or ceiling area = shower width × depth.
  • Net tile area = walls + selected floor + selected ceiling − openings + added niche, bench and curb faces.
  • Order area = net tile area × (1 + allowance ÷ 100).
  • Whole boxes = round up(order area ÷ manufacturer coverage per box).
  • Approximate tile pieces = round up(order area ÷ face area of one tile).

Worked example

A 5 × 3 ft three-wall shower tiled 8 ft high has 88 ft² of wall area: (5 + 3 + 3) × 8. Including the 15 ft² floor gives 103 ft². With a 15% cutting and spare allowance, order coverage for 118.45 ft². If each box covers 15.5 ft², round 118.45 ÷ 15.5 up to 8 boxes.

Why box coverage is the preferred purchase basis

Tile dimensions provide an approximate piece count, but cartons are sold by stated coverage. Manufacturer coverage already reflects the product’s nominal format and packaged quantity. Patterns, breakage, shade lots and future repairs can justify a different allowance, so the calculator keeps that percentage explicit instead of hiding it.

Layout and measurement limits

The row and column counts are planning grids, not a cut plan. They assume the entered orientation, straight surfaces and no grout-joint adjustment. Real installations may need centered cuts, matched veins, repeating patterns, edge profiles and full waterproofing details. Niches, benches and curbs should be measured by adding every tile-facing rectangle. Confirm substrate preparation, waterproofing, movement joints, slope, adhesive, grout and compatible trim with the applicable product instructions and installer.

Frequently asked questions

Should the shower floor be calculated separately?

Yes when it uses a different tile size, mosaic sheet, box coverage, allowance or price. Clear Include shower floor, calculate the walls, then run a second estimate for the floor product.

How much extra shower tile should I buy?

The correct allowance depends on tile format, layout, pattern, breakage, surface complexity and future-repair needs. This tool defaults to 15% as an editable example, not a universal rule.

Do I subtract the shower door?

Subtract only the opening that will not be tiled. Do not subtract a glass door that sits in front of an otherwise tiled wall or curb.

Does this calculate waterproofing or mortar?

No. Net tiled area can help scope those products, but actual coverage depends on substrate, coat thickness, trowel, membrane system and manufacturer instructions.

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