Shower Tile Calculator
Calculate shower wall and floor tile quantities, plus thinset, grout, and waterproofing materials. Includes niche and bench calculations.
How to Use This Calculator
Calculate shower tile materials accurately with these steps:
- Enter your shower interior dimensions in inches - width and depth
- Select the wall height (typically 84 inches to ceiling)
- Check if you have a niche or bench to include those areas
- Select wall tile size and floor tile size (use small tiles for floor drainage slope)
- Review calculated tile counts, setting materials, and waterproofing needs
Why This Matters
Shower tiling requires precise material calculations because showers have unique requirements: walls, floor, possible niches and benches, all needing waterproofing. Underestimating means project delays waiting for more tile which might be a different dye lot.
- Calculate exact tile quantities with waste for cuts
- Determine waterproofing membrane coverage
- Know thinset and grout quantities needed
- Include niche and bench tile requirements
Worked Examples
Standard 36×36 Shower with Niche
36 inch by 36 inch shower, 84 inches high, with standard niche
Calculation: Back wall: 21 sq ft + Side walls: 42 sq ft + Niche: 4 sq ft = 67 sq ft
Result: 77 sq ft wall tile (with 15% waste), 11 sq ft floor tile (with 20% waste)
Large Shower with Bench
48×60 inch shower with corner bench
Calculation: Walls: 98 sq ft + Bench: 7 sq ft = 105 sq ft total
Result: 3 bags thinset, 2 bags grout, 3 gallons waterproofing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping waterproofing membrane (leads to mold and structural damage)
- Using large tiles on the floor (cannot slope properly to drain)
- Not ordering enough tile from the same dye lot
- Forgetting to tile inside the curb
- Using sanded grout in small joints (scratches tile)