Tub/shower surround
Common three-wall shower tile estimate.
53 tilesShower tile to buyshower tile calculator
Shower Tile Calculator
Shower tile quantity is wall area plus shower floor area, adjusted for openings and waste, then divided by the face area of each tile.
Inputs
Results
Immediate estimateShower tile to buy53 tiles105.8 sq ft including waste
Wall tile area77 sq ft
Shower floor area15 sq ft
Total tile area92 sq ft
Thinset and grout2 thinset bags, 2 grout bags
Waterproofing, substrate prep, movement joints, slope, drain details, and wet-area installation methods are not calculated here.
Shopping list
- 53 tiles 12 x 24 in tile
- 2 bags Thinset mortar — Confirm mortar type and coverage on the product label.
- 2 bags Grout — Coverage changes with tile size, thickness, and joint width.
Diagram
Shower tile area
Wall and floor tile areas are combined, adjusted for waste, and divided by tile size.
- Wall tile
- Shower floor
- Tile size
How this calculator works
Enter shower dimensions, tiled walls, tile size, and waste allowance to estimate shower tile quantities.
Area model
The calculator estimates tiled wall area from shower width, depth, tiled-wall count, and tile height, then adds the shower floor area.
Material model
Tile count, thinset, and grout are rounded up from editable coverage assumptions.
Wet-area caution
Waterproofing, substrate prep, movement joints, slope, and drain detailing are separate from tile quantity.
Wall area
tiled wall run x tile height - openingsTotal area
wall area + shower floor area + wasteTile count
adjusted tile area / tile face area, rounded upAssumptions
- Floor: Shower floor tile area is included as width x depth.
- Coverage: Thinset and grout bag counts use editable coverage assumptions; product labels control final quantities.
Worked examples
Corner shower
Two-wall layout with smaller tile.
189 tilesShower tile to buyFAQ
Should shower tile waste be higher than floor tile waste?
Often yes. Showers have niches, valves, corners, trim, patterns, and smaller cuts, so a 10 to 20 percent allowance is common for early planning.
Does this include waterproofing membrane?
No. Waterproofing method and coverage depend on the shower system and manufacturer instructions.
Does grout coverage depend on tile size?
Yes. Joint width, tile size, tile thickness, and product type all affect grout coverage, so use the product label for final ordering.
Sources and review
- TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation, Tile Council of North America. Accessed 2026-07-20.
- How to Install a Tile Backsplash, The Home Depot. Accessed 2026-07-20.
Reviewed 2026-07-20. Planning estimates only; confirm project-specific requirements.